Human eye computer
model wins prizeFive students receive honors at
an annual science symposium
Five high school students competing for college scholarships sought to wow judges this past weekend with research into zebrafish abnormalities, the relationships between termites and fungi, and the insecticide powers of the noni plant.
More than 50 high school students, including 16 from Pohnpei and four from American Samoa, presented their research Saturday morning at the Pacific Symposium for Science and Sustainability, at the University of Hawaii-Manoa Campus Center.
Kimberly Reinhold, a St. Joseph High School junior, won the top prize, a $2,000 college scholarship.
Jessica Yang, an Iolani senior, received a $1,500 scholarship as second-place winner, and Kolea Zimmerman, a Waiakea High School senior on the Big Island, was third-place winner with a $1,000 scholarship.
Andrew Knutson, a Kamehameha Schools junior, was in fourth place, and Andrew Ah Young, of American Samoa, a Tafuna High School junior, in fifth place.
Reinhold and Yang will compete at the National Junior Science & Humanities Symposium in Baltimore in April. Zimmerman, Knutson and Ah Young will go as observers.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Flanking astronaut Ed Lu yesterday, the five finalists at the Pacific Symposium for Science and Sustainability were, from left, Andrew Knutson, of Kamehameha; Kimberly Reinhold, of St. Joseph; Andrew Ah Young, from Tafuna High School in American Samoa; Jessica Yang, of Iolani; and Kolea Zimmerman, of Waiakea High.
The five finalists described their work in the afternoon in Hemenway Theatre before judges Gail Grabowski, behavioral sciences and environmental studies, Chaminade University; Cindy Hunter, assistant professor and director of the biology program, Waikiki Aquarium; UH oceanographers Dave Karl and Edward Laws; and NASA astronaut Edward Tsang Lu.
Even some scientists in the audience looked a bit bewildered as Reinhold described an intricate computer program she designed to model the human visual system for artificial-intelligence applications.
The title of Yang's research was a tongue-twister for moderator Sherwood Maynard, Marine Options Program director: "Molecular Characterization of the Acerebellar Mutant in Brachydanio rerio Through Whole-Mount In-situ Hybridization." Basically, she studied a particular mutation in zebrafish that causes abnormalities and may be related to similar human disorders.
Zimmerman studied relationships between fungi and termites in low-elevation forests of the Big Island and determined fungi could be used as an environmentally safe alternative to heavy-metal pesticides in controlling termites.
Knutson investigated variability in white hibiscus populations found only on Oahu and Molokai, producing data useful for natural resource managers, conservationists and horticulturists.
Ah Young presented research supporting his hypothesis that chemicals of neem and nonu (noni) plants could be used for insecticides to control a variety of mosquito responsible for dengue fever.
"If you take motivated students and resources combined with a teacher who wants to work with them and supportive parents, kids can do anything," said Larry Mordan, chairman of Kamehameha Schools' science department.
His department has 1,440 science students and 11 in a research program. Four were in the symposium competition.
Lu presented the awards at a banquet Saturday night at the Pagoda Hotel and was guest speaker, discussing "Ships of Exploration," from Polynesian voyaging to spaceships.
Yesterday, the students were taken to Snug Harbor to tour UH research vessels.
The Pacific symposium is a regional competition of the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, held with research offices of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
