West Windsor-Plainsboro High South sophomore Ohyoon Kwon brought home a fourth place award from the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, Calif.
Her project in the Cellular and Molecular Biology division earned her a $500 prize. The International Fair, sponsored by Intel, brought together 1,787 top science fair winners from more than 70 countries, regions and territories.
Kwon’s project was titled A New Direction for the Molecular Genetics of an Autistic Disorder. Her research investigated how the MeCP2 protein affects the expression of the L1 molecule, and hence the appearance of the Rett syndrome. Rett Syndrome is a devastating neurological disorder related to autism. It prevents proper development of the brain, causing muscular weakness, movement disorders and inhibited verbal development. The results could be significant in understanding and eventually treating this disease.
Kwon qualified for the International Fair by winning Grand Prize at the Mercer Science and Engineering Fair at Rider University this March. The grand prize winner receives an all expense paid trip to the competition. This year is the first time that the Mercer County champion has gone on to win a prize at the International Fair.
