North Carolina Winners at the 2012 ISEF

ISEF Special Awards

American Society for Microbiology

Founded in 1899, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is the largest single life science membership organization in the world. Members worldwide represent 26 disciplines of microbiological specializations plus a division for microbiology educators. The ASM's awards honor the most outstanding microbiology projects.

First Award of $2,500

MI308 Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Endophytes from Cherokee

Medicinal Plants: Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima), Downy Rattlesnake

Plantain (Goodyera pubescens), and Indian Tobacco (Lobelia inflata)

Meredith Grace Tooley, 14, Brevard High School, Brevard, North Carolina

Erika Kate Williams, 17, Brevard High School, Brevard, North Carolina

Jenna Kristine Petterson, 17, Brevard High School, Brevard, North Carolina

Third Award of $400

MI027 Anti-Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Bacterial Symbionts on Aneides aeneus

Epidermal Tissue

Sarah Katherine Johnson, 17, Brevard High School, Brevard, North Carolina

Fondazione Bruno Kessler

The Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK) is a leading research center located in Trento, Italy. WebValley, started in 2001, is the FBK Summer School program for interdisciplinary scientific research. A team of enthusiastic and motivated high school students and FBK researchers accept a project challenge proposed by a scientist. This year’s project will study a new type of interface to big data and on-line spatial data analysis in 2D/3D cell environments. It is planned to extend the use of open source GIS and WebGIS solutions to micro/nano scales. The project shall enable the sharing between scientists of multi-scale studies, the overlay of cell models and real data, and user interaction based on Kinect and Android interfaces. FBKs Board of Directors will award Intel ISEF finalists full fellowships, including travel to Italy, to be part of the WebValley team from June 17- July 7, 2012.

Award to Travel to Trento, Italy to participate in “Web Valley” summer school

CB021 Human Mutations Associated with Heart and Pancreatic Disease Cause

Adipogenesis Defects in Mice and in a Cell Culture Model

Edgar Ferrer-Lorenzo, 17, East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. Founded in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research, answering basic questions like: What's out there in space? How do we get there? What will we find? What can we learn there that will make life better here on Earth? NASA's notable achievements since its founding include developing leading edge flight technology, putting the first man on the moon, putting rovers on Mars, exploring deep space through the eyes of Hubble Space Telescope, launching a fleet of weather and communications satellites, flying the first reusable Space Shuttle to provide regular access to space, providing vital scientific climate research, and assembling an orbiting laboratory of the International Space Station. NASA's vision is to continue to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind, and they are excited to honor projects that have those same goals.

Third Award of $1,000

PH040 Carbon Nanostructures via Dry Ice Exposed to High Temperature

Kevin Murray Frink, 17, Isaac Bear Early College High School, Wilmington, North Carolina

Patent and Trademark Office Society

Promotes the U.S. Patent and Trademark system's growth and well-being, and fosters a true appreciation of these systems, recalls our rich heritage of innovation and commerce, and cultivates the highest standards of professional ethics among patent practitioners. The PTO extends this mission to the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. These awards encourage young inventors to develop new and useful products, and to pursue careers in science and technology.

First Award of $250

CB021 Human Mutations Associated with Heart and Pancreatic Disease Cause Adipogenesis Defects in Mice and in a Cell Culture Model

Edgar Ferrer-Lorenzo, 17, East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

K. T. Li Foundation Special Award

Trip to Taiwan to attend the Taiwan International Science Fair in February. This award includes a round trip ticket, most meals, accommodations and activity expenses for the winners. Trip to attend the Taiwan International Science Fair

PH040 Carbon Nanostructures via Dry Ice Exposed to High Temperature

Kevin Murray Frink, 17, Isaac Bear Early College High School, Wilmington, North Carolina

INTEL ISEF Grand Awards:

Cellular Biology – 3^rd Place – Edgar Ferrer-Lorenzo, 17, East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (NCSEF)

Environmental T – 4^th Place – Parth   (Charlotte/Mecklenburgh Fair)

Environmentat V - 3^rd Place –Meredith Grace Tooley, 14, Brevard High School, Brevard, North Carolina, Erika Kate Williams, 17, Brevard High School, Brevard, North Carolina, Jenna Kristine Petterson, 17, Brevard High School, Brevard, North Carolina

Environmental V – 4^th Place - Sarah Katherine Johnson, 17, Brevard High School, Brevard, North Carolina

Physics – 3^rd Place – Kevin Murray Frink, 17, Isaac Bear Early College High School, Wilmington, North Carolina