Ashley Meng '13 named an Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalist

Good morning. I am excited to share the remarkable accomplishments of a Hopkins student with you this morning.

As described in a letter I recently received from the Intel Science Talent Search (or Intel STS for short), the STS is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. In its 72nd year, the purpose of the competition continues to be instilling an understanding of the scientific method and celebrating the spirit of inquiry. This organization has provided a national stage for exceptional young scientists to present original research to nationally recognized professional
scientists. Alumni of the Intel STS have made extraordinary contributions to science and hold more than 100 of the world’s most coveted science and math honors, including the Nobel Prize and the National Medal of Science. The Intel STS recognizes 300 students and their schools as semifinalists each year to compete for over $1 million in scholarships and awards.

More than 130,000 students from U.S. high schools in all 50 states have completed independent science research projects and submitted Intel entries. One of our students was among the 300 national-level Intel semifinalists this year, earning both a scholarship for herself and a financial award for our school. This student completed her research in Dr. Ann Haberman’s Lab at the Yale School of Medicine. Her Intel research submission was entitled “The Where and When
of Antibody-Secreting Cell Differentiation and Interactions: Exploration of the Subcapsular Sinus Microenvironment within Lymph Nodes.”

To break that impressive title down a bit:

This research is in the area of immunology, a fascinating, yet complex field in biology and biochemistry. There are many varieties of immune cells in the human body and the way in which they interact with antigens (foreign material like dust, mold, bacteria, and viruses) and communicate with or activate each other is not completely understood. As I mentioned, this student’s research focused on antibody-secreting cells in lymph nodes. These cells, as their name implies, secrete antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that biochemically recognize and bind to the antigens—the foreign substances I mentioned-- we are exposed to.

This can help elicit an immune response from other types of immune cells. The antibody secreting cells are among the rarest of the different types of lymph node immune cells, so it is rather difficult to study their actions and interactions. The Haberman lab is making strides in this area, studying mouse lymph nodes with cell staining and imaging techniques to put together more pieces of the complex puzzle of how antibody-secreting cells work. The better scientists can understand a specific piece of the complex immune system puzzle, the higher the likelihood that doctors can have more effective treatments for their patients. Our Hopkins Intel Semifinalist’s research not only merited national recognition, it has been included in a Yale grant and will be continued in the Haberman Lab. For her work on antibody-secreting cells and for her performance in the Intel STS competition, would our very own Ashley Meng please come down to the podium to be recognized by your school? Ashley, we are very proud of you!