Bio whiz Sheldon High student competes for $1 million in science awards

Sheldon High School senior Ryan Fong is doing his part to help advance the field of stem cell biology.

The research project hes been working on for the past few years entitled, Utility of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Endothelial Cells as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Models, was selected from more than 1,800 entrants to place him in a semi-finalist slot in the 2015 Intel Science Talent Search.

Fong was one of only three semifinalists and the only one from Elk Grove - selected from Sacramento County for the national search.

He, along with Sheldon High will receive a $1,000 award each for the respected selection.

I was really excited and not expecting it. I was extremely humbled, Fong said. Ive worked on this project for a while. But this whole thing doesnt just affect me - it affects the entire community, thebiology academy at Sheldon, and everyone whos helped me along the way. I also hope that it will all inspire future Sheldon students.

The Intel Science Talent Search recognizes talented young scientists who are creating the technologies and solutions that will positively impact peoples lives.

Projects submitted to the search cover all disciplines of science, including engineering, mathematics, biochemistry, medicine, and health.

Fongs project delved into the devastating disease of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), in which a heart artery narrows leading to right heart failure. The disease is most prevalent in women in their 30s-50s with a five-year survival rate of only 50 percent.

The student chose to take on the project, which is a continuing study at the school, because he noticed the impact it has on women during what many would consider the prime of their lives.

I have no personal connection to the disease, but I wanted to choose a project that had a direct impact on many people. Plus, it affects a demographic that we can all be sensitive about.

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Bio whiz Sheldon High student competes for $1 million in science awards