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Photo by Travis Pratt <\/p>\n
Urbana senior David Zhu was recently named a semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search. <\/p>\n
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David Zhu wasn't expecting much when he submitted his research from a summer internship at Fort Detrick to the national Intel Science Talent Search. <\/p>\n
Zhu, a senior at Urbana High School, had been urged by his father to enter the contest. His brother had also participated while he attended Urbana High six years ago. <\/p>\n
\"I was just entering it just to see how far I could really get,\" he said. \"It was just more of an opportunity to see if I could get some money or not.\" <\/p>\n
Zhu received the money in the form of a $1,000 scholarship. <\/p>\n
He was one of 300 semifinalists chosen out of 1,839 entrants in the program. <\/p>\n
The Intel Science Talent Search encourages students to tackle challenging scientific questions and develop the skills to solve the problems of tomorrow, according to a news release from the company. <\/p>\n
Projects submitted for consideration cover all disciplines of science, including biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, behavioral science, and medicine and health. <\/p>\n
Zhu's project was based on the systematic evaluation of net charge in immunoglobulin G. <\/p>\n
He wrote a computer program that analyzed different files of protein sequences and calculated the different charges each protein received. <\/p>\n
The high school of each semifinalist also received $1,000 to further STEM education. <\/p>\n
Urbana is using the funds to add new computer software in its new STEM computer lab, according to Principal Kathy Campagnoli. <\/p>\n
\"If it wasn't for donations from the community and great students like David, it wouldn't happen,\" she said. <\/p>\n
Finalists in the program were notified Jan. 25, but Zhu was not named a finalist. <\/p>\n
Despite not moving on in the competition, Zhu said he still plans to submit his research for consideration to be published in science journals. <\/p>\n
He has been advised by his father it would be difficult for high school students to have the first author position in journals. <\/p>\n
\"We'll see how it goes,\" Zhu said. <\/p>\n
The Urbana senior said he is considering Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University and the University of Maryland to study computer science. <\/p>\n
Zhu is also the captain of Urbana's swim team and a member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. <\/p>\n
He said he enjoys computer science because of the creativity it offers him. <\/p>\n
\"It's not like math how there's always one right answer,\" he said. \"Me and my friend, we could be trying to make a program two completely separate ways, but it's going to end up doing the same thing.\" <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Visit link: Photo by Travis Pratt Urbana senior David Zhu was recently named a semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search. Advertisement David Zhu wasn't expecting much when he submitted his research from a summer internship at Fort Detrick to the national Intel Science Talent Search. Zhu, a senior at Urbana High School, had been urged by his father to enter the contest. Continue reading
\nUrbana senior recognized nationally for research<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"