2 Jericho Students Are 2014 Intel Finalists

Preeti
 Kakani and Kaitlyn Shin, both seniors at Jericho High School, 
are two of only 40 students from across the United States who were named finalists in the 2014 Intel Science Talent Search.

Kakani is recognized for her project, "Differential Gene Expression Prior to Eye Opening in Mouse Superior Colliculus," while Shin is noted for her project, 
"Photon and Positron Emission from Primordial Black Hole Clusters."

Kakani and Shin, along with the other 38 finalists, will convene in Washington, D.C. from March 6-12 to compete for $630,000 provided by the Intel Foundation, including a grand prize of $100,000 that will be awarded to the first-place winner.

“This is an unprecedented year for the Jericho High School family of academicians," said Serena McCalla, science research Ccordinator for Jericho High School, in a statement. "It is an unusual feat to have eight students from Jericho High School acknowledged as Intel STS semifinalists; coupled with two students’ earning the most prestigious award of Intel STS finalists,”

“These young women embody the excellence needed to help our society excel in mathematics and the sciences over the next decade," she added. "Our research program coupled with Intel STS will continue to stimulate and encourage young adults to identify solutions for issues faced by our society today and in the near future.” 

Earlier this month it was announced that eight Jericho seniors were named semifinalists in the Intel competition. 

“Most of the Intel STS semifinalists and finalists have been in our research program for three consecutive years and have gained insight in a scientific discipline that enthralls the student learner,” McCalla said. 

“The students systematically complete the scientific method, including conducting experiments and writing journal worthy papers and essays that culminated with the works submitted to Intel STS," she said.  

"The students should be extremely proud of their accomplishments and I am humbled by their dedication to this course and the science research process," she added. "Jericho research students are outstanding scientists and epitomize the well-rounded, resolute, assiduous student body of Jericho UFSD. I congratulate the Intel STS semifinalists and finalists, their families, Jericho HS teachers and administration whose collaborative efforts have ensured such noteworthy accolades.”