|
Davidson Fellows are students under the age of 18 who have completed a significant piece of work in science, mathematics, technology, music, literature or philosophy. The work of a Davidson Fellow must have the potential to make a positive contribution to society. During the past six years, 90 Davidson Fellows have been recognized by the Davidson Institute and each Fellow has received a $50,000, $25,000 or $10,000 scholarship.
Here
are some of the 2006 Davidson Fellows' positive contributions to society:
-
Developed
a new drug delivery method to increase the efficiency of
chemotherapy treatments, thereby controlling tumors in areas where surgery is not
an option.
-
Research in the field of number theory,
with results that have broad implications in cryptography, specifically to protect against identity theft.
-
Deduced a
mathematical formula having to do with airplane wing design on
airfoils that could aid in next generation aircraft design, aerodynamics, heat flow and fluid dynamics.
-
Determined how to improve diagnostics in the field of medicine
by using new contrast agents that make magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) more effective.
-
Used antimicrobial properties from bees’
honeystomachs to create a preventative measure protecting honeybees
from the fatal American Foulbrood Disease (AFB), which affects the
pollination of billions of dollars in agriculture crops worldwide.
-
Developed
an analytical method for estimating a brown dwarf’s age and mass, which can help unlock clues about stellar evolution and formation and the history of our galaxy.
-
Devised
a computational tool to analyze genetic sequence variability in humans
for a better understanding of the genetic basis of Alzheimer's
disease, autism and bipolar disorder.
-
Created
a literary portfolio exploring
the search for truth and beauty through depictions of human
interaction and the interactions of the larger cosmos.
-
Identified
the gene responsible for colorblindness in mice with results that may help people with achromatopsia 2, the most severe form of colorblindness.
-
Performed
a prodigious musical portfolio of classical guitar compositions
with the hope of expanding classical music fans' appreciation for
this instrument.
Contributions of Davidson Fellows recognized since
2001 include:
-
Developed
an effective method of treating malignant
glioma, the deadliest
form of brain cancer, combining chemotherapy and gene therapy.
-
Researched
the physics of dust particles to aid in the design of
exploration and support systems for Martian spaceflight missions.
-
Investigated
the relationships of specific proteins in the human immune system in
order to develop more effective treatments for HIV patients.
-
Discovered
new insights in how DNA
“bends” under certain circumstances to form RNA, providing a
foundation for future research in nanotechnology and
biocomputation.
-
Confirmed
the
existence of a super-massive black hole in a neighboring galaxy
found by analyzing NASA data studying the amount of radiation
emitted from Centaurus A.
-
Discovered
a biological
connection as to why people gravitate toward religion.
-
Developed
mathematical modeling of
gasoline sprays to reduce automobile emissions.
-
Utilized the herb
fenugreek as a cost-effective, safe and natural way to preserve
fruits and vegetables, and as a non-toxic water purifier.
###
Click here to
visit the Davidson
Fellows Press Room.
|
