The 2007 Intel Talent Science Search STS Awards were announced on January 31, 2007. 9 of the 30 finalists are Chinese Aemricans. Their bios and research projects are as follows:
Connecticut Ridgefield
Sophie Cai (Ridgefield High School,)16, investigated a novel technique for studying how information is processed by the human visual system for her behavioral and social sciences project in the Intel Science Talent Search. She believes her findings may have implications in real world visual searches like baggage and x-ray screenings. For her study, Sophie collected and analyzed data resulting from four 200-trial computer-based experiments, with twelve participants and two different visual searches. Each search was split into 67-millisecond exposures, and in between, participants rated their response confidence. By tracking their ability to differentiate between targets and distractors over time, in both low-contrast feature and spatial configuration searches, she was able to identify the visual recognition mechanism as serial rather than parallel processing. Sophie, first in her class of 415 at Ridgefield High School, is editor-in-chief of the school paper and vice president of the debate team. She has won numerous awards in academic and piano competitions and has perfect SAT scores. The daughter of Dr. Christopher Chunsheng Cai and Gloria Hong Chien, she hopes to continue her studies at Harvard or MIT.
Illinois Naperville
Nora Xu(Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy) 17, developed a unique x-ray scattering method for determining the number of layers in nanocrystalline supperlattice (NCS) thin films for her Intel Science Talent Search physics project. Since self-assembly of NCS multilayer thin films cannot be controlled, it is difficult to determine how many layers are present. To solve the problem, Nora developed a mathematical model that treated the multilayer NCS film as a 2D crystal in 3D space. Using her model, diffraction patterns of x-ray scattering can be derived and used to predict the number of layers in multilayer NCS films. Understanding the function-structure relationship of NCSs would allow specific NCSs to be developed, such as gold nanocrystals for use in optoelectronics and drug delivery for cancer patients. Nora's analysis is believed to be the first to characterize NCSs using x-ray scattering in a quantitative manner. At Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, in Aurora, Nora plays varsity tennis and is copy editor of the school science magazine, Hadron. The daughter of Dr. Ming Xu and Yihong Xiao, Nora hopes to study physics at CalTech or MIT and pursue a career as a professor.
Kentucky Louisville
Yin Yin Wu (Atherton High School), 18, submitted a chemistry project to the Intel Science Talent Search that examined mechanisms of proton transport in simple synthetic crystals that may lead to a better understanding of proton transport in fuel cells. Using a quantum mechanical simulation technique and Metropolis Monte Carlo calculations, Yin modeled two hypotheses for proton transport within water chains that were surrounded by molecular walls of histidine residue. Her research suggests that protons are transported through a combination of two mechanisms, the Grotthus relay mechanism, in which protons are transported along a chain of water molecules, and the shuttle mechanism, which involves channel walls in proton movement. Yin, first in her class of 175 at Atherton High School, received the Yale Book award for her achievements in writing. A senior Girl Scout, she enjoys tennis, swimming, ping pong, ice skating and knitting. She is a counselor for the Louisville Girls Leadership Summit, and was born in China. Yin is the daughter of Ming Shan Wu and Dr. Lu Ye. She plans to attend Harvard or MIT, pursue a doctorate and expand her current research.
Michigan Troy
Temple Mu He (Troy High School), 17,, studied the cause of low states of x-ray emission in cataclysmic variables (CV) hoping to improve our understanding of CVs and other x-ray binary stars for his Intel Science Talent Search project in space science. CVs are binary star systems with a white dwarf star (the primary) and a low mass star (the secondary). As matter flows from the secondary onto the primary in a magnetic CV, x-rays are produced. During low states, x-ray emission from the secondary rapidly decreases. Temple analyzed data from Chandra X-ray Observatory showing low states for CV X10 in 2005 and created a mathematical model that suggests the magnetic interactions between the secondary's starspots, regions of reduced brightness that form at the poles and migrate toward the equator, and the primary can decrease x-ray production and cause extended low states. Temple, an award-winning violinist and pianist, is fluent in Chinese. An advocate for the nascent biology club at Troy High School, he plans to study physics or biophysics at Princeton or MIT. Born in China, Temple is the son of Yuanzhan He and Wendy Gang Wu. He hopes to become a professor and foster "humanity's spirit of curiosity."
Siyuan Liu (Troy High School), 17, entered the Intel Science Talent Search with a biochemistry research project focused on fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR), a class of molecules recently linked to brain disorders. To determine the effects of chronic stress and the administration of FGF2, a signaling molecule that binds to the FGFR molecules, Siyuan studied the frontal cortex tissue of rats that had or had not been exposed to randomized stressors (cold, noise, etc.), and/or injected with FGF2. His results showed that the expression of the receptors had been affected not only in quantitative levels, but also in the expression of different receptor subtypes. He believes his research adds to our knowledge of brain signaling molecules and their relation to neurological and psychiatric disorders, and may also aid in the development of therapeutic drugs. At Troy High School, Siyuan is a captain in varsity cross country and track, and an officer of the Science Olympiad and physics club. He is an award-winning violinist and the 2005 champion of the International Brain Bee, sponsored by the Society for Neuroscience. Born in China, he is the son of Dr. Jay Liu and Xueli Zhang and hopes to attend Stanford or Harvard.
New York Fairport.
Rui Wang (Fairport High School), 18, entered the Intel Science Talent Search with a chemistry project describing a new computational approach for establishing the absorption wavelengths of nickel dithiolene dyes. These dyes are noted for their intense absorption over a broad range of near-infrared wavelengths and have applications in optics, liquid crystal technologies and lasers. A novel aspect of Rui's study was her use of time-dependent density functional theory, a relatively new methodology, allowing her to predict accurately the maximum absorption wavelengths of various nickel dithiolene dyes. With her methodology validated, Rui designed and modeled four nickel dithiolene molecules that could extend the maximum infrared wavelengths without costly and time-consuming synthesis. First in her class of 563 at Fairport High School, Rui hopes to pursue a career in medicine after studies at Harvard or Cornell. Founder and president of the science bowl club and winner of many science awards, her hobbies include working with birds, hiking, playing violin and community service. The daughter of Drs. Xinrong Wang and Lijian Ruan, Rui earned perfect SATs and is fluent in the language of her native China.
New York Syosset
Jimmy Hom (Syosset High School), 18, of Syosset, studied the role of ring canals and the macrophage receptors (proteins) Croquemort (CRQ) and Draper (drpr) in recognition and clearance of dead oocytes (immature eggs) from the ovaries of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) for his Intel Science Talent Search project in zoology. Jimmy starved fruit flies to trigger oocyte apoptosis (programmed cell death), dissected the flies' ovaries and studied the concentration of CRQ and drpr. He found that CRQ increased in expression but drpr did not, and that flies without drpr were sterile. He concluded that these proteins helped follicle cells engulf and clear dead oocytes. He also found that ring canals, which transfer material from nurse cells to oocytes, closed and deteriorated during oocyte death. Jimmy attends Syosset High School where he is editor-in-chief of the yearbook and is active in Model Congress and the Latin Honor Society. A cello student at Juilliard, he has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Jimmy volunteers with the Helen Keller National Center for the Deaf and Blind. He plans to attend Harvard or Yale and become an obstetrician or cardio-thoracic surgeon. He is the son of Chung and Soona Hom.
Rhode Island Providence
Shu Wan (Classical High School), 17, entered the Intel Science Talent Search with a medicine and health project focused on the use of all-trans retinoic acid and anti-oxidants to protect human skin against damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation and cell dehydration. Shu studied a newly discovered water channel called aquaporin-3 in the skin and how UV radiation, which is present in sunlight, damages these tiny channels - causing dehydration and promoting photoaging and wrinkles. His work suggests a new understanding of the cell-signaling pathways as well as the molecular mechanisms of UV-induced skin aging and may lead to better anti-aging products. At Classical High School, Shu is active on the indoor lacrosse team as well as the science and math clubs, and has won gold medals in Latin and science Olympiad competitions. He relaxes by playing the violin and is a member of the Chopin Musical Society for Young Musicians. Shu's activities last summer included volunteering at Hasbro Children's Hospital and directing a series of nursing home concerts. The son of Dr. Yinsheng Wan and Dongqin Yang, Shu was born in China and hopes to attend Columbia or Harvard.
Texas Denton
Yieu Chyan (Texas Academy of Mathematics & Science), 17, researched ways to increase the solar energy conversion efficiency of organic photovoltaic (PV) devices for his Intel Science Talent Search project in chemistry. His studies chemically combined semiconductor nanoparticles within a conductive organic polymer network and demonstrated a small, but unmistakable, photoresponse. This combination yielded a polymer film hybrid that may be more practical and cost efficient to manufacture than current silicon-based PV devices. Yieu plans to further optimize the morphology of his thin hybrid films, which may lead to a smoother and more uniform dispersion of particles and more robust films for solar energy conversion. Yieu is a student at Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. An accomplished violinist and pianist, he composed and conducted an award-winning piece for a Texas Music Teachers Association contest. He volunteers regularly as an attorney at the Denton Teen Court and participates in a 15 piano ensemble in the summer. The son of Dr. Oliver Chyan and Dr. Jin-Jian Chen, Yieu plans to attend MIT or Washington University at St. Louis and hopes to earn a doctorate in biochemistry.