Xiaoyu Cao, 17, of San Diego, optimized the synthesis of a polymer scaffold used in biosensors for the chemistry project she submitted to the Intel Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science & the Public. Xiaoyu’s work could deliver a nanoscale biosensor capable of handling the rigors of everyday use. Traditional biosensors are made from scaffolds of silicon; their chemical properties are well suited for sensing, but they are brittle and prone to unwanted reactions with their environment. Xiaoyu developed and optimized a new method to fabricate silicon-like scaffolds from stronger, more stable polystyrene. Her creation has the same optical properties as silicon but is more rugged and less reactive. The biosensors Xiaoyu works with have a wide range of potential applications, such as rapidly detecting disease antibodies and tracking the process of industrial reactions. At Torrey Pines High School Xiaoyu is feature editor of the school paper, a member of the math club and a competitor on the academic team. The winner of numerous academic, music and community awards, Xiaoyu is fluent in Mandarin and French, plays piano, and performs clarinet with the Torrey Pines Wind Ensemble. She is the daughter of Jun Cao and Xinnan Ji, and was born in China.

Tags: education, Intel Inspire, Intel Science Talent Search Finalists, Society for Science & the Public, Xiaoyu Cao

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