Legislator Mejias Congratulates Intel Semifinalists

Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias, center, presented a County Citation to Intel semifinalists Katherine Zhu and Andrew Brickman who were joined by, from left, Gene and Linda Brickman, and Yajun Yang and Jishan Zhu.

Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias (D-Farmingdale) congratulated Katherine Zhu and Andrew Brickman, seniors from Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School, 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.

“It is gratifying to recognize serious minded and dedicated students who prefer the challenges of learning with an eye on their future place in society,” he said. “It is a privilege to acknowledge these deserving students.”

Andrew worked at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the lab of Dr. Scott Franzblau with Dr. Birgit Jaki for his project, “Fractionation of Actinomycete Extracts and Biological Assays in Regards to M Tuberculosis Inhibition.”

Katherine worked at Stony Brook University in the chemistry lab of Dr. Hsaio and Dr. Chu for her project, “Electrospun PLLA-PEG Multiblock Copolymer for Anti-Adhesion.”

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.