Legislator Denenberg Congratulates Intel Semi-Finalists

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) congratulated Elissa Driggin, of Merrick, and Jacob Spiegel, of Bellmore, who were chosen as Intel semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search 2009. Each semifinalist receives a $1,000 award with an additional $1,000 going to his or her respective school.

Elissa, a Kennedy High School senior’s project, was “The Relationship Between Eating Behaviors and Preferences for Fast Food in African-American Women.” She concluded that restraint, and even more so disinhibition, are significantly associated with obesity.

Jacob, a senior at Mepham High School’s project, “The Hereditary Basis of Taste: Identification of the TAS2R43 Gene,” focused on the specific gene that codes for bitter taste receptors. His study suggested an evolutionary trend in the varied distribution of the bitter taste gene copy number among human populations.

This year’s semifinalists were selected from 1, 609 entrants from 36 states, the District of Columbia and accredited overseas schools in India and South Korea.

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick) congratulated Elissa Driggin, of Merrick, and Jacob Spiegel, of Bellmore, Intel semi-finalists.