| Texas Student Wins $100,000 Individual Grand Prize in Siemens Competition |
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Individual Grand Prize winner Wen Chyan, a senior at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton, accepts his big $100,000 scholarship check for his research study, Versatile Antimicrobial Coatings from Pulse Plasma Deposited Hydrogels and Hydrogel Composites
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At the finals of the 2008 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, held last month in New York, the Individual Grand Prize and a $100,000 scholarship was awarded to Wen Chyan, a senior at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton, Texas. Chyan's chemistry research of antimicrobial coatings looked to design a specialized coating for medical devices to help prevent common hospital infections, called nosocomial infections, which afflict more than two million patients each year, killing more than 100,000 of them.
As part of a 360-degree approach to his project, "Versatile Antimicrobial Coatings from Pulse Plasma Deposited Hydrogels and Hydrogel Composites," Chyan examined complex reactions, engaged in assay development, measured silver release kinetics and, finally, tested his proposed coating, showing true expertise in a wide range of topics that have direct applications in the medical field. His mentor for this project was Richard B. Timmons, from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The University of Texas at Arlington.
"This research was not only a creative idea, but required a proactive approach where cross-disciplinary initiatives had to be taken. The fields of electrochemistry, material science and biology all had to be explored in depth by Chyan," said competition judge W. Mark Saltzman, the Goizueta Foundation Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Yale University. "With further testing, these findings have the potential to improve a wide range of medical devices, from intravascular devices at hospitals to catheters used in insulin pumps."
Chyan plans to major in chemistry or chemical engineering in college. Upon completing his studies, he would like to pursue a position in academia, preferably at a research university where he can continue conducting research and teach at the same time. His various honors in science include recognition from the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad, U.S. Biology Olympiad and Texas Science and Engineering Fair. He is the recipient of the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Summer Research Scholarship (2008) and the founder of the student chapter of the American Chemical Society at the University of North Texas. He also composes music and plays piano and violin in his spare time. His interest in science stemmed from the encouragement of his parents, both scientists, who took him to tour their laboratories and perform demos from an early age.
Before advancing to the finals in New York, Chyan had to win the regional competition held in November at The University of Texas in Austin. The final competition, administered by the College Board, was judged by a panel of nationally renowned scientists and mathematicians headed by lead judge Joseph Taylor, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Physics Emeritus at Princeton University. Eighteen finalists competed in this year's national finals, including six individuals and six teams.
"These remarkable students have achieved the most coveted and competitive high school science recognition in the nation," said Thomas McCausland, chairman of the Siemens Foundation. "There is no doubt that these scholars will change the world, starting right now, with their passion for math and science."
The Team Grand Prize winners named in New York, Sajith M. Wickramasekara and Andrew Y. Guo, both seniors at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, N.C., will split the $100,000 scholarship money. The team combined traditional genetics with cutting-edge computational modeling to try and identify new genes to target for cancer therapy.
The Siemens Competition was launched in 1998 to recognize America's best and brightest math and science students. By supporting outstanding students today and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Siemens Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers. For more information, please visit
the Siemens Web site.
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| A Note from Southwestern Region VP Ann Wright |
VP Ann B. Wright
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Here in the Southwestern Region, the use of the PSAT/NMSQT® continues to grow. Right about now, 2,644 schools are telling 485,200 students their PSAT/NMSQT scores. Over the past two years, the percentage of students in our region who took the PSAT/NSMQT grew by more than 20 percent, and we work with schools to ensure students take full advantage of the tools associated with this experience. My Score Report Plus, a paper copy of the student's answers and scores , provides valuable information about a student's performance and how to best prepare for the SAT®. Another tool, My College QuickStartT, is an online version of the student's test - complete with SAT prep questions, a practice exam, and free access to the college and career research and planning tool MyRoadT. For educators, AP PotentialT launched on Dec. 16, so now school officials can view students PSAT/NMSQT scores and recruit more students for AP® courses.
The WRO has also been hard at work this month delivering the annual "AP Report to the Nation" to each of our four state agencies - Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. We are excited and delighted to offer our "report card" to state boards, and we can use the information within to move forward with greater access and college readiness for all students in the region.
Earlier this month, we invited higher education officers to participate in the College Board's "Strategies for Success," hosted at the University of Texas in Austin. Julie Esau, Robb Chavez, Michelle Overstreet and I organized this gathering so that our members could hear from presenters with the latest information on higher education best practices, research and the current economic climate for education. In this innovative workshop, participants considered topics, such as "Rethinking Student Aid" with Sandy Baum and "Developing the Big Picture: How Postsecondary Institutions Support Student Persistence" with Jacob P.K. Gross, associate director for research at Indiana University. A demonstration of best practices and strategic thinking in enrollment management was presented by Bruce Walker and staff from the University of Texas. And Dan Murphy, also from Texas, discussed "College Outcomes: Comparisons by AP and Non-AP High School Experiences."
Finally, I want to remind you that the Southwestern Regional Forum is just around the corner - coming to the Renaissance Hotel in Oklahoma City Feb. 4-6. Some of the highlights will include a performance by award-winning author, musician and lawyer Da Chen, and speakers David L. Boren, former Oklahoma governor and U.S. senator and current president of the University of Oklahoma, and Forrest J. "Frosty" Troy, the founding editor of the Oklahoma Observer. Be sure to register for the regional forum through this Web site: www.collegeboard.com/swforum.
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| Events and Workshops |
Click here to see events and workshops in the Southwestern Region.
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