65th Annual STS (2005-2006)
Finalists
Xin Wang

ILLINOIS
Xin Wang, 17, of Geneva, mapped the gene and specific DNA mutation that causes complete black-and-white colorblindness - achromatopsia - in mice for her Intel Science Talent Search project in biochemistry. In one-quarter of the people affected by achromatopsia, the disease is attributed to mutations on the CNGA3 gene, and is known as achromatopsia 2. Using genetic and gene sequence analysis, Cindy found the mouse strain nm2608A had a mutation on the Cnga3 gene, making it the only naturally occurring mouse model for human achromatopsia 2. This strain provides a murine model for research, which could lead to new drug treatments for human achromatopsia 2. Born in China and fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Cindy is the daughter of Drs. Shiying Wang and Bin Liu. Cindy is co-captain of the Science Olympiad and copy editor of The Acronym at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora. A violinist, she earned first chair honors in the District and All-State orchestra and is a co-founder of the Serendipity String Quartet. She has earned numerous honors and scored a composite score of 36 on the ACT. Cindy hopes to attend Harvard or MIT and become a science professor.