In May of 2004 17-year-old Allie He...

In May of 2004 17-year-old Allie Hewlett of Shelbyville, Ky attended the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Portland, Ore. At the fair, she met Nobel laureates, scientists, and pupils from all over the world. further she wasn't there just to socialize. Allie placed first in the gerontology (the meditation of aging) category of the science competition, winning $10000 and a laptop computer

for what reason it began: During a visit to Wake Forest University, a biology professor introduced Allie to a worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Researchers use this worm because its DNA is similar to human DNA. After she recured home, Allie spent months researching and developing a throw out that integrates the worm with her personal interest in aging. "Aging isn't studied enough. Everyone ages; it disturbs us all," says Allie.

The project: Although many studies use C elegans, Allie f her worms acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter construct in the brain) supplements--which no individual else had done. She increased the worms' life span threefold and their reproduction period fivefold. Ultimately, Allie thinks her research has the potential to disarm Alzheimer's disease and continue a woman's childbearing years--all that from a petri dish glutted of worms! A lot of research remains to be done, moreover Allie has put the wheels in motion.

What approachs next: Allie, whose other interests include golf and crocheting, has responded to the place where it all began. This fall, Allie began her first year at Wake Forest University and is studying molecular biology. "I was always focused in what I want to do," she told Career World. "Winning hasn't changed that, however it has reinforced what I want to do. Knowing that my ideas work, regardless of my age, has been excessively encouraging." She'll continue her research upon C. elegans and acetylcholine with the university's help. Eventually, she plans to attend an MD/PhD program to combine her interest in genetics and biology to fight genetic and age-specific diseases. "That way, I can papal court patients and still do research in the field," Allie says.

Advice to other students: Allie believes that the first note of the scale to success is knowing one's control doing thorough research, and none giving up. She advises other observers to take the initiative, noting, "There are kids doing amazing things!" In the meantime, eat cauliflower, salmon, and whole-grain diets which contain acetylcholine--it couldn't hurt!

For more information about the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, fare to www.intel.com/education/isef.

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