10/21/11 - Siemens Science Competition semifinalist and regional finalists

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics seniors Peter Fan and Aakash Indurkya have advanced to the Regional Finals in the Team Competition of the 2011-2012 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology. Peter and Aakash will present their research titled: “Engineering a genetic toggle switch controller using synthetic zinc finger transcription factors” as they contend for the highest science honor awarded to American high school students. In total, 96 students from 21 states were named Regional Finalists in the prestigious competition. Peter and Aakash go on to compete in the regional event November 4-5 at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Administered by the College Board, the Siemens Competition awards one $3,000 prize to an individual and one $6,000 prize to a team at each regional competition. Winners of the regional events advance to the National Finals at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, December 2–5, 2011, where $500,000 in scholarships will be awarded, including two top prizes of $100,000. NCSSM also had five semifinalists out of 1,541 projects submitted in this year’s competition.

NCSSM semifinalists and projects include:

- Avi Aggarwal – “Effect of thiols on the environmental fate of silver nanoparticles”

- Kevin Huang – “Characterization of methanol adsorption on bovine serum albumin using a novel NMR approach”

- Pranav Maddi – “Using blocking peptides to control and analyze the mechanical properties of single fibrin fibers”

- Vipul Vachharajani – “The RNA-binding protein HuR binds and stabilizes pre-mRNA in vivo”

- Hun Wong – “Prions as a novel mechanism of stress response through yeast colony morphology”

About the Siemens Foundation - The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational Initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, and The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which encourages K‐12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. The Foundation’s mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens’ U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.