58th Annual STS (1998–1999)
Finalists
Rachel Anne Cox

Rachel Anne Cox, 18, of Haughton, entered a biology project in the Intel Science Talent Search. She discovered a new species of bacteria in soybean field soil that can degrade herbicide 2, 4-D and render it harmless. The herbicide, an ingredient of Agent Orange defoliant used in Vietnam, is in common use today as a weed killer. While safe in small quantities, there is concern about its environmental accumulation and possible links to cancer and birth defects. Biochemical tests and 16S rDNA analysis proved that Rachel's discovery is a new species of Ralstonia bacteria that is resistant to high concentrations of mercury, lead and other heavy metals. She ranks first in her class of 296 at Airline High School in Bossier City, where she is an active member of the science club and president of the youth choir. Rachel has won first-place awards in regional science fairs for three years running, a full scholarship to Texas Christian University and a partial scholarship to Indiana University at the 1998 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The daughter of Drs. Fred and M. Elaine Cox, Rachel hopes to study pre-med at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge.

Back to List of 1999 Intel Science Talent Search Finalists