Education

APS Presents Awards to Outstanding High School Students at the 59th Annual International Science and Engineering Fair
APS Presents Awards for the Best Physiology Project at Local School Science Fairs
2008-2009 Porter Physiology Fellows Announced

APS Presents Awards to Outstanding High School Students
at the 59th Annual International Science and Engineering Fair
The winners of the APS Special Awards at the 2008 Intel ISEF. Pictured from left to right: Jourdan Urbach, Dallas Krentzel, Harrison Phu Nguyen, and Diya Dwarakanath with Lead Judge, Robert Hester.

The 59th Annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), presented by Agilent Technologies, was held in Atlanta, GA May 11-16, 2008. Nearly 1,500 students from 50 countries, and territories competed in the world’s largest pre-college science competition. During the two evenings of ceremonies, over $4 million in scholarships, prizes, and awards were distributed in categories ranging from behavioral science to engineering and medicine. More than 500 Intel ISEF participants received scholarships and prizes for their work. Prizes included scholarships, cash awards, scientific field trips to foreign countries and the grand prizes: three $50,000 scholarships from Intel. Grand awards included 18 “Best of Category” winners who each received a $5,000 Intel scholarship and a new laptop. Special Awards are presented by over 70 scientific, professional, and educational organizations.

For the 13th year, the APS presented four Special Awards in the form of cash prizes, certificates and student subscriptions for the best projects in the physiological sciences. This year’s APS judging team included L. Britt Wilson, Robert Hester, Doug Eaton, Otto Froehlich, Peter Wenner, and Wylie Nichols.

The convention center was packed with poster projects ranging from physiology-based research done at home or at medical schools, to complex robotics with computer driven controls. Students spent two days being interviewed by judges, and participated in a panel discussion featuring Nobel Laureates. As judges, we previewed almost 100 projects to select 22 that best fit the category of “physiology.” We interviewed each of these finalists to evaluate their involvement in the project and to determine their understanding of the science and experimental design behind the project. After two days of interviews, we chose the following projects to receive APS awards for excellence in physiological research.

Receiving $1,000 and first place was Harrison Phu Nguyen, 17, Detroit Catholic Central High School, Novi, MI for his project entitled “Combating Muscle Atrophy: A Novel Study of Myofibril Turnover in Sternopygus macrurus.” His work studied the behavior of the protein MuRF-1, which mediates atrophy. Harrison demonstrated that MuRF-1 is more prevalent in slow-twitch muscle fibers than in fast-twitch and is more abundant around the outside of cells. Harrison displayed the enthusiasm and desire of a young bench scientist. He was also awarded a best of category winner for Cellular & Molecular Biology receiving a fourth place award and $500. He also received a $1,500 second place award from the United States Air Force.

Second place and a $500 award went to Diya Dwarakanath, 17, Westview High School, Portland, OR for her project entitled “Role of Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinases in BDNF-induced AMPA Receptor Surface Trafficking.” Her work examined the pathway on how Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) activates AMPA receptor trafficking. She proposes that this work will lead to a better understanding of diseases involving synaptic plasticity abnormalities.
Dallas Krentzel, 17, of Airline High School in Bossier City LA was awarded one of the two third place awards ($500) for his project entitled “Is 4,4’ Methylenedianiline-Induced Vascular Toxicity a Model for Pulmonary Hypertension?” Dallas’ work focused on 14,4’- Methylene-dianiline (DAPM) which is a compound used in the production of polyure-thanes. Dallas demonstrated that exposure to DAPM resulted in smooth muscle proliferation in pulmonary arteries and veins.

Third place was also awarded to Jourdan Urbach, 16, of Roslyn High School in Roslyn Heights, NY. Jourdan’s work, entitled “The Effect of Extracellular Signaling Molecules on Oligodendrocyte Differentiation, Morphology, Proliferation, and Survival.” Jourdan analyzed the proliferation, survival, maturation, and morphology of oligodendrocytes exposed to laminin and various immunocytokines. He found that oligodendrocytes exposed to laminin and immunomodulators differentiated at a rate greater than interferon-Beta, a current treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. Jourdan was also awarded a Tuition Scholarship ranging from $6,000-$9000 from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. He also received a third place award of $150 from the Patent and Trademark Office Society.

The winners also received an APS certificate, a t-shirt, and a one-year subscription to APS publications.

These winners are a small sample of the many outstanding projects we had the opportunity to judge. The finalists at the fair were outstanding students and were extremely knowledgeable about their projects. The Intel ISEF is a wonderful event and I was honored to represent APS at this celebration.

Robert L. Hester
Univ. of Mississippi
APS Education Committee

For more information on the APS annual awards at ISEF, visit: http://www.the-aps.org/education/isef/.

APS members who served as Special Awards judges at the Intel ISEF. Pictured from left to right: Robert Hester, Otto Froehlich, Britt Wilson, Wylie Nichols and Peter Wenner. Doug Eaton not pictured.

 

 



 

APS Presents Awards for the Best Physiology Project at Local School Science Fairs

APS members continue to judge and present Science Fair Awards for the best physiology project at local or regional science fairs for precollege students. Each student receives an APS “Physiology: Life, Logic Study” t-shirt, an APS researcher pin, and a certificate for the best physiology project. The student’s teacher receives the “Women Life Scientists” book and a K-12 resource packet.
Ann Cooper, a junior at Lafayette High School who previously received an award for the best physiology project at Intel affiliated Regional Science and Engineering fair in Lexington, KY also won a second place award at the 59TH Annual Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, GA. Animal Sciences presented her with a $1,500 award for her project titled, “The Effects of Serotonin on Circadian Patterns and Behaviors in Drosophila.”

As of April 2008, the following elementary, middle and high school students have received the APS Science Fair Award as judged by an APS member in their local community:

Morgan Dieckmann, a sixth grade student at Prince of Peace Lutheran School in Cedar Crest, NM received an APS award for the best physiology project at the Annual Central NM Science & Engineering Research Challenge. Morgan is the first elementary student to receive a science fair award packet from the APS.  APS member Jay Naik of New Mexico Tech was a judge on behalf of the APS and presented Morgan with an award. The title of Morgan’s project is “Changes in CO2 Output.”

Thomas Myslinski, a seventh/eighth grade student at St. Bernadette Elementary received an APS award for the best physiology project at the North Ohio Science and Engineering Fair. The title of his project is “Body Levers.” APS member Cassandra Talerico of Cleveland Clinic was a judge on behalf of the APS and presented Thomas with his award.
Emily Singer, a fifth grader at Sparks Elementary School received an APS award for the best physiology project at her school’s science fair in Sparks, MD. The title of her project is “Let’s Give the Earth a Faucet to Drink From!” Emily will now go on to the Baltimore County STEM Fair Competition against students from all the other Baltimore County Public Schools. Emily’s teacher is Elizabeth Fair. APS member Bradley McConnell of the University of Maryland, Baltimore was a judge on behalf of the APS and presented Emily with her award.

Darius Rahmlow, an eighth grader at Mission Middle School in Bellevue, NE received an APS award for the best physiology project at the Eighth Grade Health Science Meet conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The title of his project is “Music and Effects on the Human Body.” His teacher and sponsor is Susan Hester. APS President Irving H. Zucker and Viswanathan Rajagopalan of The University of Nebraska Medical Center were judges on behalf of the APS and presented Darius with his award.

Tyler Kirsch, a freshman at City Honors School, received an APS award for the best physiology project at the Western New York Science Congress. The title of Tyler’s project is “Alignment and Analysis of the CAG Subset in SCOR Enzymes.” His teacher and sponsor is Dean Johnson. APS member Mary Ann Rokitka from the University of Buffalo was a judge on behalf of the APS and presented Tyler with his award.

Ashlei Peterson, a senior at Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, MO received an APS award for the best physiology project at the Honor’s Fair. The title of Ashlei’s project is “The Effects of Breast Cancer on Women and Their Children.” Her teacher and sponsor is Cheryl Apperson. APS member Jessica Clark of Washington University School of Medicine was a judge on behalf of the APS and presented Ashei with her award.

Any APS member who participates as a judge in a local or regional science fair at an elementary, middle, or high school is eligible to apply and receive an APS award packet. For more information, visit http://www.the-aps.org/education/sciencefair or contact Scarletta Whitsett (swhitsett@the-aps.org) in the APS Education Department.

 

Congratulations to Winners of the 2008 APS Local and Regional Science Fair Awards
APS President Irving H. Zucker (center) and Viswanatha Rajago-palan (left) present an award to Darius Rahrnlow (right) at the Eighth Grade Science Meet in Nebraska. APS Councillor J. Michael Wyss presents an award to Venetra King at the Central Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Stephanie Simpson receives an APS award for best physiology project at the Central Indiana Regional Science Fair by APS members Steven J. Miller and C. Subah Packer. APS Member Parimal Chowdury presents an award to Yi Wu of Little Rock Central High School.
 
 

APS member Merry Lindsey (center) presents an award to Nayana Ghosh-Choudhury (right) at the Alamo Regional Academy of Science and Engineering Science Fair in San Antonio, TX. Ashlei Peterson of Rockwood Summit High School receives an APS award for best physiology project judged by APS member Jessica Clark of St. Louis, MO. Ann Cooper (left) with her teacher Jeanne Robinson (right), receives an award for best physiology project judged by APS member Robin Cooper of the University of Kentucky.

 

 

2008-2009 Porter Physiology Fellows Announced
The APS and Porter Physiology Development Committee congratulate the 2008-2009 APS Porter Physiology Fellows:

Heidy, L. Contreras, Univ. of California, Irvine
Dolores F. Doane, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Anna K. Leal, UT Southwestern
Natasha Lugo-Escobar, Univ. of Puerto Rico
Miren J. Maiz, UCLA
Keisa W. Mathis, LSU Health Sciences Center
Zelieann Rivera, Univ. of Arizona
Lizette Warner, Mayo Clinic

Keisa Mathis was named the 2008-2009 Merck Fellow in honor of Merck & Co., Inc., a Porter program contributor, highlighting the fact that she had the highest ranked application of all the new applicants to the program. Dolores Doane, was named the 2008-2009 Eleanor Ison-Franklin Fellow in honor of Dr. Franklin, the past Co-Chair of the Porter Committee, indicating that she had the highest ranked application among the renewal applicants.

The Porter Physiology Fellowships for minorities are one-year fellowships that provide a stipend of $20,772. The fellowships are open to underrepresented ethnic minority applicants (African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Native Alaskans, or Pacific Islanders) who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its territories. Applicants must have been accepted into or currently be enrolled in a graduate program pursuing an advanced degree in the physiological sciences.

For more information, see the APS website at http://www.the-aps.org/education/minority_prog/stu_fellows/porter_phy/ov_pp.htm or contact Brooke Bruthers in the APS Education Office at education@the-aps.org or 301-634-7132. The deadline for 2009-2010 applications will be January 15, 2009.

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