Nkima Stephenson, Michelle Nguyen and Madeline Burkey represented the Rockdale Regional Science and Engineering Fair last week IN Los Angeles, California.
Three student researchers from the Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (RMSST) recently attended the 2023 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, CA. Madeline Burkey, Michelle Nguyen, and Nkima Stephenson earned their way to the prestigious competition by being named Grand Champions at January’s Rockdale Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
The truly international feel of the event impressed the students. Approximately 1,800 high school students from more than 75 high schools attended the event held May 14 – 19, 2023. Madeline Burley, a junior at RMSST said. “I haven’t been to any other science fair that had so many international students, and everyone was so passionate about their work!”
Nkima Stephenson, a senior at RMSST, won the second place distinction of the National Institute of Health’s Addiction Award for her research titled “Data Analysis of the Epigenetics of Drug and Alcohol Dependence.” Nkima’s work identified genetic and environmental factors that signified a predisposition to addiction.
Madeline Burkey, a student in John Hendrix’s Research Class at RMSST won a full scholarship valued at $194,000 to Drexel University. Burkey’s research attempted to find a way to use yeast to remediate lead contaminated water, a problem Burkey became interested in while participating in mission trips to Mexico.
“Madeline is a great student who really benefited from asking a good research question and sticking with it.” said Mr. Hendrix. Mr. Hendrix also praised Madeline for working diligently in the lab and for choosing to continue her work by asking more and better questions as her research career has evolved.
