IMSA Represents Illinois at Professional Science Conference

For Immediate Release, February 2001
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at (630) 907-5033

AURORA-- Eleven students from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) represented the Illinois Junior Academy of Science in conjunction with the AJAS/AAAS Annual Meeting and Science Innovation Exposition February 14-18 in San Francisco, CA.

For a list of students, hometown, and research topics, see the list below.

Students from IMSA made oral and poster presentations on their research projects as representatives of the Illinois Junior Academy of Science. In conjunction with the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) meeting, the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) showcases the work of promising future scientists who represent their state Junior Academies from across the nation.

IMSA students conducted their research in mentorship, a part of IMSA's Student Inquiry and Research Program (SIR). The SIR Program challenges students to engage in scholarly and scientific investigation, as well as creative and artistic expression. This process culminates in the exhibition of products of ethical research, study and creativity. IMSA students who presented their research at AJAS conducted their mentorships under the guidance of mentors at Loyola University Medical Center and Northwestern University Medical School.

The 167th national meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) brought together more than 5,000 scientists, engineers, educators, policy-makers, and researchers in a multi-disciplinary forum to share the latest research advances.

The 2001 AAAS Annual Meeting and Science Innovation Exposition featured more than 150 scientific symposia; specialized seminars; topical, plenary and award lectures; poster sessions; an exhibition hall; field trips; career workshops; and a career fair.

Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 14,000 teachers and 20,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.

IMSA Student Research Presenters
2001 AAAS Annual Meeting and Science Innovation Exposition

(Student hometown islisted next to student name)

Student Name: Anuoluwa Adeboje (Dolton) and Fatima Hatia (Bloomington)
Title: Specific Serotonin Receptor Stimulation in the Hypothalamus
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Dr. Thackery Gray, Loyola University Medical Center

Student Name: Lisa Kelly (Libertyville)
Title: Immortilization of Human Diploid Fibroblast Cells by Telomerase
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Dr. Kathleen Rundell, The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University

Student Name: Hannah Koh (Naperville)
Title: Identification and Characterization of Multicopy Suppressors of Vpr Induced Cell Death
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Dr. Yuqi Zhao, Northwestern University Medical School

Student Name: Kelly McArdle (Elmwood Park) and Anson Tang (Quincy)
Title: Trends in Triplet Susceptibility to Complications
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Dr. John Muraskas, Loyola University Medical Center

Student Name: Ashwin Shetty (Naperville)
Title: The Effect of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors on Agonist -Induced Platelet Activation
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Dr. Jeanine Walenga, Loyola University Medical Center

Student Name: Anupama Topgi (Palatine)
Title: Resurgent Sodium Current and Action Potential Formation in Cerebellar Unipolar Brush Cells
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Professor N.T. Slater, Dr. Bula Bhattacharyya, Dr. Susanne Birnstiel, Northwestern University Medical School

Student Name:Christine Tsai (Naperville)
Title: Antibody Labeling of Tau Polymers As Probes for Tau Structure in Alzheimer's Disease
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Dr. Lester Binder, Northwestern University Medical School

Student Name:Margarat Wat (Naperville)
Title: Effects of Long-term Light Exposure on Expression of mCLOCK
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Dr. Vijay Sarthy, Northwestern University Medical School

Student Name: Debra Yoo (Schaumburg)
Title: The Regulation of Phospholipase C delta-1 by Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1
Mentor and Mentorship Site: Dr. Jon Lomasney, Northwestern University Medical School