Stories by Laura Vanderkam
Michael First: Computing Chemistry, Then Psychiatry
Writing a computer program made him a 1974 Westinghouse finalist. Now he practices psychiatry, using data to drive diagnoses--including that of an accused September 11, 2001, attack planner
Helen Wiersma: Fighting Weeds--And Mental Illness
A 2000 Intel Science Talent Search finalist's interest in science was sparked on her family's cattle ranch. Now she's studying for a PhD in biochemistry while managing bipolar disorder
Katharine Duderstadt: From the Peace Corps to a PhD
A 1985 Westinghouse finalist studied climate change, and now teaches high school physics
Robert Duncan: From Scrubbing Smokestacks to Superfluids in Space
A 1978 Westinghouse finalist studied physics, and now administers research at his home state's university
Kraig Derstler: Digging Up Dinosaurs Is in His Bones
A Westinghouse finalist's childhood fascination with fossils turns into a career in paleontology
Carmela Amato-Wierda: So Long, Solar
A 1984 Westinghouse finalist went from studying materials science to watching how others learn about matter
Tamir Druz: From Risking Check in Chess to Checking Risk in Energy Futures
A 1989 Westinghouse finalist studied how elite players choose moves, now he advises companies on how to think about the price of power
Joseph Demer: In Plane Sight
A 1973 Westinghouse finalist built a moon launcher, but today he operates closer to the ground as an eye surgeon--and he flies his own plane
Haig Donabedian: Finding a Medical Niche
A 1967 Westinghouse finalist's project focused on ecology and crayfish, but his career aspirations led him to treat HIV/AIDS
Richard Gott: From Crystal Structures to Time Travel
A 1965 Westinghouse finalist used geometry to figure out how metals act at a molecular level, and now studies clusters of galaxies
An Intel finalist finds a way to build better bridges
WASHINGTON, D.C.—It’s no secret that many of America’s bridges are in sad shape. One of the reasons is the corrosion of the steel rebar used to strengthen concrete structures.
A high schooler who studied stem cells meets Pres. Obama the day he loosens stem cell regs
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 10, 2009)—Stem cells have long been touted as potential cures or treatments for a variety of ailments from paralysis to Parkinson's disease.
Regrowth after wildfires, and space elevators: More from the Intel STS
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The excitement is building to a crescendo here as 40 top high school scientists wait for tonight's gala finale of Intel's Science Talent Search.
Intel finalist tackles the cellulosic ethanol problem
WASHINGTON, D.C.—When gas prices were sky high, lots of people talked about ethanol as a fuel of the future. In particular, many investors placed their hopes in cellulosic ethanol.
Jessica Boklan: A Last-Minute Math Project, Then Back to Medicine
A 1986 Westinghouse finalist works to come up with better treatments for devastating childhood cancers
That Splenda you're drinking will be in our water supply for awhile
WASHINGTON, D.C.—People like sucralose—the artificial sweetener marketed as Splenda—because the human body can’t break it down and use it.
Parents, don't tell your kids about your wild drinking days, says Intel finalist
WASHINGTON, D.C.—If you drank as a teenager, do not tell your kids about it. That’s the lesson from Chelsea Lynn Jurman’s study of teen drinking behavior—the only social science project among the 40 finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search going through the final judging rounds here this week.