Six Chicago high school students win CAP's 2010 'Path to a Future in Medicine' award

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) awarded six Chicago high school students the College's 2010 "Path to a Future in Medicine" award.

The students were invited to attend and display their winning projects at the College's annual meeting, CAP '10 - THE Pathologists' Meeting™, on Sunday, September 26 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. In addition, they had the opportunity to tour the CAP '10 meeting and discuss possible careers in medicine and science, as well as general science issues, with a select group of pathologists and residents.

They were also invited, along with their parents and guests, to attend the Spotlight Event, featuring Guy Kawasaki. Mr. Kawasaki is managing director of Garage Technology Ventures and is known as the Apple evangelist who helped launch the Macintosh computer.

"It is a pleasure to recognize these six, dedicated young people for their achievements and excellence in the field of science," said CAP President Stephen N. Bauer, MD, FCAP. "These students are truly an inspiration, and we are honored to feature their outstanding research projects at CAP '10."

The students who competed at the 60th Annual Chicago Public Schools Science Fair in March were judged for excellence in five areas: creativity, scientific thought, attention to detail, skill, and clarity.

The winners were:

Nicholas Cernek
Project: The Role of Integrins in Prostate Development
School: Lincoln Park High School

Luis Cortes
Project: Temperature and Cellular Respiration
School: Amundsen High School

Saad Khan
Project: Signaling of PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 in Muscle Atrophy
School: Lane Tech High School

Aparna Nutakki
Project: Is Turmeric an Antiseptic?
School: Kenwood High School

Kathryn Todd:
Project: The Sca4 Gene in Rickettsia conorii
School: Williams High School

Mengyi Xu
Project: MicroRNA in ATRA-induced Leukemia
School: Lincoln Park High School