Local Delaware Valley Science Fair Winner Earns Special Award at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair

Society for Science and the Public, in partnership with the Intel Foundation, announced Special Awards of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2015. Student winners are ninth through twelfth graders who earned the right to compete at the Intel ISEF 2015 by winning a top prize at a local, regional, state, or national fair.

American Statistical Association Award - Honorable Mention

Jeremy Wang, 9th grade, Methacton High School

Project: “A Mathematical Study of HCC Biomarkers,” a study to detect the presence of liver cancer.

Liver cancer, as one of the rising causes of cancer-related deaths throughout the world, is now becoming one of the most common cancers in the world as well. Rising rates of alcoholic cirrhosis and fatty liver disease have led to the rapidly increasing prevalence of liver cancer, which also happens to have a very poor prognosis. This is due to the fact that many of the current treatments are only effective in earlier stages, whereas the majority of detection methods are only truly accurate in late-stage liver cancer. As such, various labs are researching new biomarkers in body peripherals. This project aimed to assimilate some of these biomarkers with the current standard, AFP, into an effective early detection method.

This project was essentially separated into two parts, the first being a mathematical analysis of a variety of factors regarding the test, while the second part was composed of application to two data sets. In the end, the results were strong, and the model developed by this project could soon be applied by various physicians.

Each finalist at the 67th Delaware Valley Science Fairs is one of 14 students who won the opportunity to compete in Intel ISEF in Pittsburgh in May.

About the Delaware Valley Science Fairs

Since 1949, the Delaware Valley Science Fairs have stimulated interest in science, engineering and technology among middle and high school students in the tri-state region. DVSF’s philosophy is that students learn science by doing science. Its mission is to bring together parents, teachers and industry leaders to motivate and nurture young people’s curiosity in science and problem solving as we build lifelong learners.

For more information, visit www.DVSF.org or call Henry Disston, Executive Director, at: 215-895-5840.

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