Young scientists receive Intel Foundation top prize for groundbreaking cancer work

Matthew Feddersen and Blake Marggraff from Lafayette, Calif. were awarded the top prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of Society for Science & the Public. They received $75,000 and the Gordon E. Moore Award, in honor of the Intel co-founder and retired chairman and CEO, for developing a potentially more effective and less expensive cancer treatment that places tin metal near a tumor before radiation therapy.

Taylor Wilson from Reno, Nevada was named an Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award winner and received $50,000. Taylor developed one of the lowest dose and highest sensitivity interrogation systems for countering nuclear terrorism.

The team of Pornwasu Pongtheerawan, Arada Sungkanit and Tanpitcha Phongchaipaiboon from Thailand also received an Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award. This team determined that a gelatin found in fish scales could be successfully used in modern day fish packaging - an invention that could have positive, long-term effects for the environment.

"We champion the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair because we believe that math and science are imperative for innovation," said Shelly Esque, vice president of Intel's Corporate Affairs Group. "This global competition features youth trying to solve the world's most pressing challenges through science."

This year, more than 1,500 young entrepreneurs, innovators and scientists were selected to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the world's largest high school science research competition. They were selected from 443 affiliate fairs in 65 countries, regions and territories, including for the first time France, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Macao SAR of the People's Republic of China.

In addition to the winners mentioned above, more than 400 finalists received awards and prizes for their groundbreaking work. Awards included 17 "Best of Category" winners who each received a $5,000 prize. The Intel Foundation also awarded a $1,000 grant to each winner's school and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair-affiliated fair they represent.

The following lists the 17 Best of Category winners, from which the top three were chosen:

Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education, owns and has administered the International Science and Engineering Fair since its inception in 1950.

"We congratulate the top winners for having the drive and curiosity to tackle these significant scientific questions," said Elizabeth Marincola, president of Society for Science & the Public. "Their work, and the work of all of the finalists at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, demonstrates what students can accomplish when they are inspired to pursue inquiry-based research.