IMSA Students Present At Prestigious Russian Research Conference

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

IMSA STUDENTS PRESENT AT PRESTIGIOUS RUSSIAN RESEARCH CONFERENCE

AURORA—Four students from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) have been invited to present their research work at Sakharov’s Readings, a highly selective research conference held in St. Petersburg, Russia May 14-23. Students include (see attached list).

The research conference is held annually in May as a tribute to honor the memory of physicist and Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov. IMSA students are among 200 young student researchers from throughout the world who were invited by the Russian Academy of Sciences to participate in the conference.

“The invitation to present research at this prestigious conference is an acknowledgment of the substantive contributions to science these young researchers have made,” said IMSA Mentorship Coordinator Dr. Peggy Connolly. “It is a well-deserved honor, and I want to recognize the dedication of the mentors who guided the students to this level of accomplishment.”

In addition to recognizing the scientific and scholarly accomplishments of young researchers, Sakharov’s Readings is also a public commitment to foster ethical courage and international understanding among tomorrow’s leaders. The conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to begin the process of cooperation and collaboration.

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.

Sakharov’s Readings
Sakharov’s Readings- St. Petersburg, Russia
May 14-23, 2001
IMSA Student Research Projects
(Student hometowns listed in parentheses)

The students, their mentors and research projects.

Title: Prevention of Senescence by Telomerase in Human Diploid Fibroblast (HDF) Cells. From the field of Microbiology, this research work was to develop immortal (HDF) cells that may be used in the future for laboratory work on Simian Virus 40. Such research on cells that divide forever can potentially aid the regeneration of brain cells destroyed by Alzheimer’s Disease, nerve cells in paralysis and heart cells damaged by heart attacks. IMSA Student Researcher: Lisa Kelly (Libertyville, IL) Mentor: Dr. Kathy Rundell, Northwestern University Medical Center

Title: The role of Glutathione Levels in the Differentiation of ThO Lymphocytes in Antigen Specific Immune Responses. From the field of Microbiology and Immunology, this research work involves studying Glutathione (GSH), a tri-peptide, essential to the regulation of T-cell immune responses.
IMSA Student Researcher: Eric Szczesniak (Buffalo Grove, IL)
Mentor Dr. Carl Waltenbaugh, Northwestern University Medical Center.

Title: Antibody Labeling of Tau Protein as Probes for Tau Structure in Alzheimer's Disease. From the field of Cell and Molecular Biology, research on Tau Protein may aid in the development of drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease.
IMSA Student Researcher: Christine S. Tsai (Naperville, IL)
Mentor Dr. Lester Binder, Northwestern University Medical Center.


Title: Long-term Light Exposure Decreases mCLOCK mRNA Expression in Mouse Eye Tissues. From the fields of Molecular Pharmacology, Biological Chemistry and Opthalmology, research on the exposure of light on retinal tissue of the mouse eye could lead to new avenues of research for people who are susceptible to retinal damage.
IMSA Student Researcher: Margaret Wat (Naperville, IL)
Mentors: Dr. Margarita Dubocovich and Dr. Vijay Sarthy, Northwestern University Medical Center.