S. Barrington teen one the nation's top young scientists
A South Barrington teen has earned a $40,000 scholarship, after placing third at the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology finals, considered the nation's premier high school science competition.
Marissa Suchyta, a senior at the University of Chicago Laboratory High School, conducted a biology research project in which she studied the protein geminin and its role in developing new treatments for cancer.
More than 2,000 students entered the contest, making it a record-setting year, officials said. Twenty finalists competed for top honors at New York University in New York, and Suchyta's award was announced at a news conference last week.
"It was a great experience to be able to share my research with such a large scientific community, and to be around so many other students who enjoy science as much as I do," said Suchyta, who is 17.
The competition is sponsored by the Siemens Foundation and administered by the College Board, best known for administering the SAT, the PSAT and the Advanced Placement program.
Siemens officials described the finalists as some of the brightest minds in the country.
"These students have just earned the highest recognition for original high school research projects in the United States," said Thomas McCausland, chairman of the Siemens Foundation. "We know this is just the beginning. Their dedication to excellence and passion for math and science will no doubt change the world."
Many of the teens chose to research different approaches to treat cancer. Suchyta said she became interested in the topic after volunteering for a variety of events sponsored by the American Cancer Society, including its Relay for Life.
"I got to see the emotional and physical effects of cancer on people," said Suchyta, who attended Quest Academy in Palatine before high school.
She began her research nearly two years ago when she participated in the American Cancer Society's high school research program, working in a lab at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dr. Thomas McGarry, assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern, accompanied her to the finals as her mentor, but Suchyta said she also drew inspiration from home. Her father, Dr. Roger Suchyta, is the associate executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, based in Elk Grove Village.
Not surprisingly, Suchyta said she hopes to become a neurosurgeon and also to earn a doctoral degree in molecular oncology.
"That way I can run my own research lab and practice as a neurosurgeon, too," she said.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=342660">S. Barrington teen's biology project wins $40,000 prize <span class="date">[12/08/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=336823">S. Barrington teen wins science competition <span class="date">[11/08/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>