2003-04 YES National Winners
The students who won the first-ever Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) Competition for students proved that health problems are a significant concern to high school students across the nation. Winning project topics ranged from the development of a computerized model to evaluate the effects of smallpox vaccinations to uncovering the reasons behind the prevalence of indoor tanning among suburban teenagers.
The topics were as diverse as the students who presented them. Read their bios and abstracts to find out more about the YES National Winners and about their award-winning projects.
Benjamin Eidelson
First Place - $50,000 Scholarship
Akiba Hebrew Academy
Merion Station, PA
VIR-POX: An Epidemiologic Study of Smallpox Preparedness and Response Policy
"I decided to study smallpox, a potentially devastating terrorist weapon in the context of a dynamic and complex social world."
In his first place YES project, Benjamin developed a mathematical model to evaluate the effects of different smallpox vaccination strategies based on data from previous outbreaks of smallpox. He found that mass vaccination before an outbreak typically resulted in significantly fewer infections than vaccinations after the outbreak, but that the two strategies were equal in their ability to eliminate the virus from the population within five months. A National Merit Scholar, Benjamin was a member of the Akiba Hebrew Academy debate team and a volunteer tutor for children at St. Barnabas Homeless Shelter. His long-term interest in computer science led to his involvement with a University of Pennsylvania research group using computer models to study social science and geopolitical issues. He also did research at MCP-Hahnemann University on the development of computer games for use in surgical education curricula. He will pursue undergraduate study in political science and philosophy at Yale University.
Robert Levine
First Place - $50,000 Scholarship
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Lincolnshire, IL
Artificial Tanning by Suburban Teenagers: A Survey on the Prevalence of and Motivations for Indoor Tanning in the Midwest
"Seeing the hallways filled with students, many of whom are friends, who looked remarkably tan in the middle of winter made me think I want to tell students that they can't forget the long-term ramifications of their actions for something as superficial as a good-looking tan."
Concern for the health of his friends and classmates motivated this avid student athlete and outdoorsman in the design of his YES project. A National Honor Society student, Robert complements his studies with active participation in organizations such as the Interact Club, Future Problem Solvers and his synagogue youth group. His passion for outdoor activities is evident in hobbies that include soccer, rock climbing, road cycling, running and varsity athletic competition on the track and field team. An environmental activist in his school, Robert is president of the Students Against Violations of the Environment (SAVE). In his YES project, he surveyed a large Midwestern high school, known for its academic excellence, to quantify indoor tanning behaviors and sunscreen use. Reasons for tanning as well as other influences were examined. This is important in light of the increasing popularity of tanning salons and the known association between exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the increased risk of skin cancer. Planning to major in biology or environmental studies, Robert will attend Middlebury College.
Katherine Dillon
Second Place - $35,000 Scholarship
Downingtown High School East Campus
Exton, PA
Evaluation of Possible Elevated Cancer Rates in the Pottstown, PA Area
"This project is of interest to other communities surrounding landfills that have similar concerns for their residents."
Fascinated by her introduction to epidemiology during summer study in Costa Rica, Katherine's project resulted from her interest in creating a personally meaningful project that addressed a community health issue. She conducted a study of residents living near a landfill in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and determined that there was no evidence of a cancer cluster due to the landfill. A varsity tennis player, Katherine is active in the Girls Athletic Association and the Special Olympics club. Her academic achievement is recognized by membership in the National Honor Society. In her free time, Katherine relaxes by reading and shopping. After graduation, she plans to pursue undergraduate study in biology and anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis.
Victoria Hunt
Second Place - $35,000 Scholarship
Redwood High School
Larkspur, CA
Body Piercing and Risk of Infection
"Body piercing and the associated infections and complications have become an epidemic among American teenagers. Many of my friends have recently been pierced and subsequently developed some nasty infections and complications."
Victoria's project reflected her concern about the current teenage trends in body piercing and the high incidence of infection experienced by many of her friends. Her survey of high school students linked an increased risk of infection to an increased number of body piercings. She also found a lack of enforcement of health policy regulations regarding piercing establishments. Victoria's interest in science is evident in her work with animals as a veterinary technician and as a volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Her volunteer activities include working as a peer tutor and a teaching assistant. She currently participates in leadership roles as president and charter member of the American Sign Language club and secretary of the Model United Nations club. Her wide ranging personal interests include running, weight training, writing, poetry and baking. She relaxes by reading and observing nature. Victoria will pursue undergraduate work in biology at Cornell University.
Bevin Cohen
Third Place - $20,000 Scholarship
Oceanside High School
Oceanside, NY
A Comparison of Hand Hygiene Practices in Two Neonatal Intensive Care Units
"The ultimate opportunity that exists to improve the quality of life for individuals alive today, as well as prevention of the spread of infections in the future, is inspiring."
Inspired by the opportunity to improve the quality of life and to prevent the future spread of infection, Bevin developed her project to build upon previous research by her mentor. She conducted a study that compared hand hygiene practices in two neonatal intensive care units and suggested ways to decrease exposure to infection among infants in those units. Bevin's experience in science competitions includes participation in the Long Island Science Congress, INTEL Science Talent Search, Junior Sciences and Humanities Symposium and the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair. She writes for her school newspaper and is active in a variety of organizations including 4H, Model United Nations and Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys cooking, organizing dinner parties, fine arts and crafting. A vocalist as well as an instrumental musician, Bevin plays guitar and piano. She plans to continue her studies at the University of Vermont.
Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
Third Place - $20,000 Scholarship
Brewster High School
Brewster, NY
Disease Propagation Through Connective Paths: Application of the Small World Theory to Epidemic Modeling
"I wondered how a disease would actually spread in a confined space like a cruise ship, and began to theorize with my mentor about how the disease would be passed in waves to the rest of the people on the ship. This discussion led me to questions pertaining to the spread of disease in other closed-system populations and the processes of epidemiology."
Anna enjoys the challenge of developing viable solutions using the research process of hypothesis testing and data collection. She developed a computer simulation to model the spread of infectious disease and showed that the rate at which an epidemic will spread and "burn out" increases as the greater number of social connections that exist in a community increase. Encouraged by a teacher to enter the YES competition, Anna is no stranger to research competitions. She reached the regional finals in the 2003 Siemens Westinghouse competition, was a semifinalist in the 2004 Intel Science Talent Search, was a Finalist in the 2004 Intel ISEF and was named overall winner at the 2004 Science Horizons and Connecticut State Fairs. Her research is currently being used in support of legislation to contain the spread of invasive aquatic species in Maine lakes. A member of the National and Science Honor Societies, Anna is a peer tutor. She is the editor-in-chief of the high school literary magazine and enjoys composing music for the violin. Anna will pursue studies in biomedical engineering and writing at Stanford University.
Zarabeth Golden
National Finalist - $15,000 Scholarship
Blanche Ely High School
Pompano Beach, FL
The Epidemiology of Different Forms of Dementia in an Urban Elderly Population
"I am committed to trying to fully understand the brain from medical, psychological and philosophical directions in an attempt to develop better insight that would lead to better understanding and treatment of head injuries."
Zarabeth's YES project is the latest in a series of projects on the treatment and causes of brain injuries that extends back to fifth grade. She reviewed the cases of elderly subjects diagnosed with dementia who later underwent a more comprehensive evaluation. Zarabeth found that the rates of the types of dementia that can potentially be cured or prevented - as opposed to Alzheimer's, which currently can be neither cured nor prevented - are higher than reported by less sophisticated diagnostic techniques. She said this could affect the allocation of prevention and health care resources, particularly given the increasing elderly population in the United States. In 2002 and 2003, she presented at national conferences on topics related to Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. She has participated in the Florida State Science Fair, the INTEL International Science Fair, the INTEL Talent Search and the Florida Science and Engineering Symposium. At school, she is president of the Science and Robotics clubs, captain of the swimming team and a member of student government. Zarabeth finds time to volunteer at the Ocean Hyperbaric and Nova Southeastern University. Her hobbies include massage, gymnastics and drawing. Zarabeth will enroll as an undergraduate at Emory University to pursue the study of neuroscience and psychology.
Alanna Hay
National Finalist - $15,000 Scholarship
Oxon Hill High School
Oxon Hill, MD
Smoking and Stress in Our Future
"This project brings attention to the prevalence of mothers who continue to smoke during pregnancy and the stressful life events that make it much more difficult for them to quit."
After a summer of volunteering in the obstetrical department of a local hospital, Alanna decided that a medical career is in her future. Enrolled in the Science and Technology Program at her high school, she decided to combine her career interest with the substance abuse specialty of her mentor in the design of her YES project. Alanna analyzed data from a study of pregnant women in North Carolina and found that women who were going through a greater number of stressful life events were less likely to stop smoking during pregnancy, despite the known risks to their offspring. Alanna is a member of the French and National Honor Societies, the Future Business Leaders of America, the Medical Careers Club and the Girl Scouts of America. She is an avid reader, enjoys dancing and is quite active in services and activities at the Fort Washington Baptist Church. As preparation for her anticipated medical career, Alanna will pursue undergraduate work in biology and psychology at Stanford University.
Eugene Kim
National Finalist - $15,000 Scholarship
Columbia River High School
Vancouver, WA
Evaluation of Breast Cancer Survival Based on the Fifth and Sixth Edition AJCC Staging Systems
"My research was inspired by a previous retrospective study of treatment techniques for prostate cancer, as well as my readings of other studies, particularly Hank's 'Patterns of Care Studies'."
While volunteering at a local hospital, Eugene became interested in cancer research. Eugene feels that conclusions from his YES project will be useful to patients, clinicians and investigators who use the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. He evaluated recent changes made in the system to determine the odds of surviving breast cancer without recurrence and found that the new system gives a more accurate picture of the prognosis. A seasoned competitor, Eugene has participated in the Washington State and National Junior Science and Humanities Symposia, the INTEL Science Talent Search, and as a member of the state, regional and USA Biology Olympiad teams. Enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program, Eugene is a member of the National Honor Society and the Portland Youth Philharmonic. He continues volunteer work at the St. John Medical Center. Eugene will attend Case Western Reserve University.
Stephanie Mok
National Finalist - $15,000 Scholarship
Mount Saint Mary Academy
Watchung, NJ
Smallpox Epidemic Modeling: Application of Population Mobility/Spatial Characteristics in Predicting Disease Spread in Metropolitan Cities
"Bioterrorism is a very real threat that can result in tragic consequences. The possibility of a smallpox outbreak within the US, as well as the dire necessity that viral outbreak behavior be predicted beforehand, were the motivating factors for my research."
News coverage of potential bioterrorist threats stimulated the development of Stephanie's YES project. She developed a computer model of a smallpox epidemic that showed the disease spreads faster as the population density and the mobility of the people in a community increase. A certified EMT, she volunteers in the Finderne First Aid and Rescue Squad and serves as president of her high school's emergency rescue club. An accomplished musician, Stephanie plays violin and piano and is a member of the All-State High School Orchestra. After graduation in 2005, she plans to pursue undergraduate study in biology and applied mathematics at an Ivy League university.
Evan Orenstein
National Finalist - $15,000 Scholarship
The Westminster Schools
Atlanta, GA
Sensitivity Analysis of an Influenza Epidemic Simulation: Analysis of Exposure and Intervention
"This model helps determine who should be vaccinated to maximize influenza prevention. Moreover, the model evaluates other interventions such as school closing to determine their effectiveness in minimizing disease."
Evan did his first immune system project in fifth grade. His YES project was influenced by his father's interest in vaccines and preventative medicine and was developed after a summer research experience with Dr. Michael Haber. Evan used a computer simulation to show that people who have a higher number of contacts with people outside their own age group are more likely to spread influenza. He indicated this might suggest that such people should be targeted for vaccination. Active in science competitions, he has participated for the past three years in the regional and state Science Olympiad programs. His other competitions include the Junior Engineering Technical Society TEAMS competition, the State Science Bowl Competition and the Problem Solving Bowl Competition. Evan participates in the Westminster Service Club and Project Isaiah. He enjoys the theater along with outdoor activities like rock climbing, hiking, and backpacking. He will study molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale University.
Yuguan "Bailey" Shen
National Finalist - $15,000 Scholarship
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Aurora, IL
In and Out of the Hot Zone: A Study of Heat Wave Mortality Displacement
"I think that the field of epidemiology is going to be greatly needed in the future. With the outbreaks of diseases worldwide and the looming threat of bioterrorism, sound public health methods and research will save many lives."
Bailey's first attraction to public health occurred at the age of 10 when he became fascinated by the "sleek" U.S. Public Health Service uniform worn by a Centers for Disease Control Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer. In his YES project, he studied the mortality rate during the heat wave of 1995 in Chicago. He demonstrated that there was a decrease in the expected mortality rate in the following year because the most vulnerable people had succumbed to the effects of the heat wave. He described how this phenomenon could help target public health efforts to prevent premature deaths. Bailey has done community service work in the Illinois Department of Public Health lab and was mentored there by Dr. Greg Huhn. At school, Bailey is a member of the IMSA Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta and the Varsity tennis team. His hobbies include mountain biking and composing music for the piano and harmonica. With anticipated high school graduation in 2005, Bailey is interested in university-level study in either law or medicine.