64th Annual STS (2004-2005)
Finalists
Olga Pikovskaya

NEW YORK
Olga Pikovskaya, 17, of Brooklyn, submitted a biochemistry project for her Intel Science Talent Search that focused on the synthesis, purification and crystallographic identification of recently discovered metabolite-binding mRNAs (riboswitches) that are responsible for gene activation. Her research was made more challenging given the size of the RNA and the requirements for diffraction quality crystals. This subject is a highly competitive one due to the international interest in elucidating the principals used by mRNA to target metabolites with high affinity and exquisite specificity. First in her class of 756 at Midwood High School at Brooklyn College, Olga, who was born in Russia, enjoys rhythmic gymnastics and plays violin in the orchestra and quartet. Eleven years ago, when Olga and her mother, Irina Pikovskaya, arrived in America from Belarus, neither spoke English. Olga is now fluent in English, Russian and French, and she plans to attend Columbia. When asked to name the most influential person in her scientific career, Olga cites her grandmother, who died of cancer, perhaps from Chernobyl radiation. One day, she hopes her research will help stop the progression of such terminal diseases.