The 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology results are in and Alex Han, Gr. 12, has been named a regional finalist; Harker also has three semifinalists, Namrata Anand, Andrea Lincoln and Andrew Zhou, all Gr. 12.

Han’s project is titled “The Natural Compound Celastrol, a Potent Inducer of the Stress Response Protein Heme Oxygenase-1, Exhibits Cytoprotective and Wound Healing Properties in Cell Culture”; Lincoln’s is “Fault-Tolerance of Node Failures for a Stochastic Localization Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks”; Zhou’s project is “Quantifying the Mix of Stellar Populations in Studies of the Andromeda Galaxy”; and Anand’s is “A Spectral Analysis of the Chemical Enrichment History of Red Giants in the Andromeda Galaxy Field (M31) Versus its Dwarf Spheroidal (dSph) Satellites.”

“Alex being selected as a regional finalist is a BIG deal,” said Kate Schafer, upper school science teacher and contest advisor. “He was one of five finalists in the seven-state Western region and one of the five will be chosen to compete in the national competition. Alex has a lot of work ahead to prepare for the next level, held at Cal Tech. He must give an oral presentation lasting 12 minutes, answer questions by a panel of judges in a private room and present a poster of his work to the judges as well.

“We had an impressive group of projects this year, and I am so proud of all the hours and hard work that they put into their papers,” said Schafer.