Project: Meet the Heating Challenge in Dynamic Spraying of Nano Particles

Sixteen year old Alice’s research focused on obtaining high temperature and high pressure gas to carry nanoparticles for coating purposes. Her project is part of larger research involving the deposition and compaction of nanoparticles to form coatings with superior quality over traditional coatings. Nanoparticle coatings’ durability, strength and resistance to scratch will benefit daily life and industrial processes.

Lynnelle Ye – Palo Alto Senior High School, Palo Alto, CA

Project: Chomp on Graphs and Subsets

Lynnelle, 17, has always had a passion for math and plans to one day be a professor of mathematics. For her research, Lynnelle analyzed winning strategies in the game “Graph Chomp.” Her results revealed the winner and strategy for several special types of graphs that had not been analyzed before. “Graph Chomp” lies at the intersection of two fields – graph theory and game theory – with important applications in technology and economics.

Linda Zhou – Academy for Medical Science Technology, Hackensack, NJ

Project: The Double Life of hTERT: Identification of a Novel Function and an Explanation of the Mechanism Involving the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

Linda, 17, studies the effects of turning off a gene that codes for a protein called hTERT. She found that silencing the hTERT gene could reverse drug resistance in breast cancer cells and reduce the capability of breast cancer cells to migrate. Linda’s grandparents died of cancer, which means that her mom is at high risk and therefore, has always been super conscious of living a healthy lifestyle. This was Linda’s inspiration for her research. In addition to her research, Linda is on the varsity lacrosse team and involved with the environmental awareness and activism club.

Project: Analyzing the Clustering of Point Sources in the 74 MHz VLSS Survey

Ever since reading Stephen Hawkings’ A Brief History of Time, John, 18, has wanted to unravel the cosmos and understand how the universe “works.” In this research, he computes a quantitative clustering of galaxies in a frequency relevant to the 21 centimeter radiation from neutral hydrogen from the dark ages of the universe. The application of his research will be realized when future scientists create computer simulations of the foreground sky, providing a more accurate understanding of the world we live in. He loves weightlifting and plays intramural basketball.

Raman Nelakanti – Lynbrook High School, San Jose, CA

Project: Inducing Anaerobic Conditions Using Sulfur Deprivation for Hydrogen Production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Raman, 17, studied the proper sulfur environment that is ideal for algae to produce hydrogen gas while maintaining normal growth. Hydrogen, a widely recognized clean energy source, is difficult to produce efficiently. However, algae possess enzymes that produce hydrogen gas under certain conditions. This research highlights a way to efficiently produce hydrogen through biological processes, paving the way for hydrogen as a viable alternative energy source and a plausible alternative to fossil fuels. Raman is also an avid cricket player and participated in Indian Carnatic vocal music.

Sunanda Sharma – Shrewsbury High School, Shrewsbury, MA

Project: Modification of Developing and Mature Brain Circuits in an Autism Model

Through Sensory and Social Enrichment Sunanda, 17, researched perceptual deficits of children with autism and concluded that in order to study the underlying causes of disorders in the brain, scientists must also understand the interaction between genetics and the environment. Sunanda’s project was the first study to show behavioral and social rescue of disorders caused by a gene at the earliest stage of development. Sunanda likes playing/composing on the piano, clarinet, and the guitar. She also enjoys playing football and soccer and debating.

Project: Distributed Learning for Dynamic Spectrum Sharing in Cognitive Radio Networks: A Decision Theoretic Approach

Angela, 17, conducted cognitive radio research to address issues ranging from losing cell phone signals to the interoperability of radio communications between different specialized forces in the military. What she found is that the wireless spectrum is not overcrowded as many assume. Rather, it’s just poorly managed. Through this research, Angela is working to develop networking policies that have extensive practical applications for emerging cognitive radio technology, including addressing communications issues after natural disasters.

Katherine Rudolph – Naperville Central High School, Naperville, IL

Project: Maximal Densities of High-Dimensional Sphere Packings

Kate, 18, studied how closely spheres can be packed together. This work is of interest to chemists studying super-cooled matter and to cryptologists in search of error-correcting codes. She is the captain of the speech team and very involved with theater club.

Alan Sage – Stuveyesant High School, New York, NY

Project: Characterization of a Glutamotropic Response in Arabidopsis   thaliana   

A vegetarian scientist by day and a philosophical rapper by night, Alan, 17, was inspired by his molecular biology teacher who helped show him that biology was an art form. His study of glutamates can lead to a greater understanding of neural diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. He is on the editorial board of his school paper, and aspires to be an urban planner with a focus on transportation engineering. Alan is a self-described hipster who enjoys rapping and even recorded a small rap album over the past few years. His music tastes aren’t limited to rap though - he’s also a big fan of The Grateful Dead, Magnetic Fields, and Velvet Underground. He is on the editorial board of his school paper, and aspires to be an urban planner with a focus on transportation engineering.

Project: Semantic Image Retrieval and Interactive Exploration of Large Image Collections David, 17, has developed a system to recognize and understand the contents of images, which could potentially enable powerful Web image search engines. He is working with NASA Ames researchers in applying his algorithm to recognize oil pipeline threats in aerial images; further research could integrate this technology into a live video processor, enabling unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to better process camera feeds for navigation. David’s technology could also be used to quickly correlate medical images with databases of known disorders. David is really a self starter: he programmed his first computer game at age 6 because he wanted a new game and he began programming for money at age 11 because he wanted money for a home entertainment center. Not only does he understand that science is cool, he gets that science can be the foundation of a lucrative business as well.

Frieda Fein – John Adams High School, South Bend, IN

Project: Investigations of Faunal Diets at Pokagon Village Site to Determine Farming Practices of the Pokagon Band Circa A.D. 1830 Eighteen year old Frieda’s research clarifies the history of Native Americans in the Midwest and the U.S. government’s policies towards them. Additionally, this research will help the Potawatomie tribe understand their ancestors. Frieda co-founded her school’s recycling club and enjoys hiking, playing the harp and making pottery. She’s also been a member of her school’s varsity soccer team for all four years.

Sarine Shahmirian – Chaminade College Preparatory, West Hills, CA

Project: Propargyl Methyl Ethers: Novel Precursors to Cobalt-complexed Propargyl Cations Inspired by her grandmother’s struggle with breast cancer, which ended in her death two years before she began her research, Sarine, 17, developed a new method to synthesize compounds, which may ultimately help to prevent breast cancer. Sarine is a classical pianist and founder and president of the Future Doctors of America club. Her Armenian heritage is very important to her and she’s passionate about Armenian dance. She even created a fusion Indian/Armenian dance with her best friend, which they hope to debut at the school talent assembly.

Project: Novel Thermogelling Dispersions of Polymer Nanoparticles for Controlled Drug Delivery

Peter, 18, knows firsthand the importance of advancements in medical science as his father was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago. This experience inspired Peter to develop a thermogelling dispersion of polymer nanoparticles for controlled drug release to help treat currently incurable diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. In his spare time, Peter enjoys composing music, playing the piano and playing basketball and table tennis.

Elisa Lin – Plano West Senior High School, Plano, TX

Project: Increasing the Performance of Organic Solar Cells and Organic Light Emitting Diodes by Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The earth receives more energy from the sun in one hour than the world uses in a year, yet current solar energy production only accounts for less than .01% of the global energy demand. Elisa was intrigued by the great potential of organic solar cells and wanted to help find the solution. She was inspired by her father, who was persecuted in China and had no access to a formal science education. Thus, he had to teach himself everything he could. In her spare time, Elisa also founded a club that shares fun and safe science projects with autistic children.

Project: Indoor Air Pollution: A Comparison of Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) Emissions from Paraffin and Soy Candles

Inspired by her mother’s daily battle with severe asthma, Otana Jakpor from Riverside, CA studied particulate indoor air pollution from candles and determined that paraffin candles create indoor pollution that exceeds the current outdoor air quality standard. She plans to share her findings with the American Lung Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Earlier research of hers analyzed the pulmonary effects of ozone-generating air purifiers. As a result of these alarming findings, she became active in public policy advocacy and helped CA become the first state to regulate ozone emissions from air purifiers. She is now a volunteer spokesperson for the American Lung Association.

Lanair Lett - North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics, Durham, NC

Project: Histone Deacetylase-1 (HDAC-1) Increases Beta Cell Proliferation in 832/13 Cells and Rat Islets

By 2030, the number of people suffering from diabetes is expected to double. Annually, somewhere between 1.1 and 2.9 million people die of diabetes, one of them being seventeen year old Lanair’s grandmother. Lanair’s research sought to better understand a specific protein that affects the growth of beta cells, which play a large role in diabetes. The hope is that this understanding will eventually help find more effective treatments, or possibly even a cure, for the disease that afflicts both his mother and him. With no father figure present, he turned to his mentor, Dr. Jeffrey Tessem, who not only fostered his love for science but also helped him grow as a scientist.

Yifan Li – Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Springs, MD

Project: Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Retinal Pigment

Epithelium Cells in Culture Eighteen year old Yifan’s research was an important step in the National Eye Institute’s stem cell research. As a result, research in the field of retinal development and stem cell differentiation will hopefully flourish in the near future, culminating in the transplantation of stem cell derived retinal cells as a cure for visual diseases.

Project: Automatic Parallelization Through Dynamic Analysis

Kevin, 18, conducted research on developing a method for automatically converting a computer program not designed to use more than one processor into an equivalent program that uses multiple processors. This can make a program run much faster. In addition to his research, Kevin is an FRC robotics winner.

Yale Fan – Catlin Gabel High School, Portland, Oregon

Project: Adiabatic Quantum Algorithms for Boolean Satisfiability

Yale, 17, studied quantum computers, which rely on quantum mechanics to accomplish certain tasks exponentially more efficient than classical computers. The work implied that quantum computers could outperform classical computers for a class of hard problems, and gives new insight into the capabilities of exciting prospective technology based on theoretical physics. Fan was a US Physics Olympiad finalist and is also a self-taught pianist.

Jason Gandleman - Staples High School, Westport, CT

Project: Bioinformatic and Synthetic Approaches to Studying Advanced Glycation End-products

Jason, 17, knows firsthand the impact diabetes can have on individuals as he has watched many family members be afflicted with this disease. His research aims to find a novel therapy that will prolong and improve the lives of the millions of people with diabetes. Jason, who speaks Mandarin Chinese fluently, was also awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House.

Well it never occurred to me to put “Ring the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange” onto my Bucket List. But I think I’ll add it now so I can check it off …!

Monday was International Corporate Philanthropy Day - a joint effort of the UN and the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy. In celebration, companies were asked to submit a description of a “strategic international philanthropic initiative addressing a social issue.” The winning companies would be invited to ring the opening bell at the Stock Exchange.

We decided to highlight the Intel® Teach Program, Intel’s long-term teacher professional development initiative, which has trained more than 7 million teachers around the world on the effective integration of technology into teaching and learning.

As we have been examining ways to increase our focus and impact on girls and women around the world, one aspect of that program that we are only now starting to recognize - with real pride - is the impact of the fact that the large majority of those teachers are women.

For many of these women, in countries the world over, the confidence in using technology that they have gained through Intel Teach has been transformative. They see themselves differently, and engage with the world differently - as competent professionals who can access the broader world, and help their students go even farther and faster. Many have taken on leadership roles in their schools, education systems and even governments, and all have become role models for the children they teach - particularly the girls.

I was not really surprised that Intel was selected - I spend a lot of time talking to others about education and corporate philanthropy, and I always come away terribly proud of the role we are playing.

I was delighted to be invited to represent Intel on the day. I do wish my dad were still around to enjoy it - he was an Oregon dairy farmer who would have been shaking his head in bemusement for months afterwards. How the heck did one of his kids end up on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange?? Education of course is the answer - he and my mother made tremendous sacrifices to send their five kids to university. Which explains, too, why I am so passionate about the work I am allowed to do on Intel’s behalf. I know very personally what an impact we can and do have.

So on Monday morning, I was up at 3AM Oregon time to be there on time. Walking through the Exchange floor is a little like being in the midst of a vast pinball machine, caroming from pillar to post in the midst of chaotic noise and motion. It wasn’t until we mounted the podium at one end of the Exchange that we could get a perspective on just how big the place is, the chaos resolving into more purposeful motion - all very intense.

Then the countdown to the hour, 30 seconds of applause - carefully measured - followed by precisely 15 seconds of the bell (video - me in turquoise :)) while everything on the floor held its breath. And then, let the games begin! All the deals teed up through the night, and in the wheeling and dealing that had been going on as we arrived, reverberated through the wires and countless computer screens. The market was off and running - it was up! An auspicious start to International Corporate Philanthropy Day!

Arjun Puranik  – William Fremd High School, Palatine, IL

Project: Finite-dimensional Irreducible Representations of Rational Cherednik Algebras Associated to the Coxeter Group H3

Arjun, 17, conducted research that will help provide data toward generating a more thorough representation theory, used in linear algebra. This theory has been studied for years and Arjun’s research may help advance the field of quantum physics. Arjun also works on his school newspaper and is on the varsity tennis team.

Benjamen Sun – Red River High School, Grand Forks, ND

Project: Sink or Source: The Role of Street Solids in Heavy Metal Pollution of River Water

Benjamen, 17, has had a long standing love for chemistry and the environment. For his research project, Benjamen combined these interests and studied the role of street solids in water quality. Bejamen’s project was the first of its kind, and could help shape government policy concerning the collection and disposal of street solids. Benjamen enjoys chess and archery in his spare time.

Temple Douglas – Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria, VA

Project: Application of Hydrogel Nanoparticles for Early Lyme Disease Diagnosis

Temple, 18, conducted research on the application of hydrogel nanoparticles for early Lyme disease diagnosis. She was inspired to pursue this research because several members of her family and community have been affected by Lyme disease because of inaccurate testing and a lack of a reliable method of early detection. Her research provides a means to reduce the number of chronic cases of Lyme disease thus saving many people from the associated complications. She is currently arranging clinical trials for this year, after which a commercial application is possible.