Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation

2010 Life Sciences Awards Recipients

$25,000 Distinguished Chairmen’s Life Sciences Award - James F. Leary, Ph.D., SVM Professor of Basic Medical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN. Dr. Leary's research involves designing "next-generation", advanced nanodelivery systems for drugs and genes to combat cancer and other diseases. He has invented a variety of new nanomedical devices with targeting molecules that deliver therapeutic drugs precisely to diseased cells to perform single cell "nanosurgery", which eliminate the diseased cells while trying to preserve nearby normal cells, allowing for much smaller drug doses and fewer side effects. Dr. Leary will also receive up to $25,000 in research funds.

$10,000 Life Sciences Educator Award - Derrick C. Wood, Chemistry Educator, Conestoga High School, Berwyn, PA. Teaching at Conestoga High School since 2004, Derrick instills the same passion for Chemistry that he experiences - by showing his students that Chemistry is not an exercise in futility, but is extremely relevant to their lives. He authored Case-Studies for his High School Chemistry curriculum and uses them as an alternative and authentic way of integrating the lab component into Chemistry, giving his students the opportunity to experience science in the same way it is done outside the classroom. Derrick has given presentations at NSTA and ACS National Conventions where he shared his curriculum with teachers across the country. In Derrick’s opinion though, his greatest accomplishments are “the students that have graduated from Conestoga with a passion for science and have pursued college majors and careers as a result of the same love for science that I embrace.”

$10,000 Life Sciences Educator Award - Michelle Bagley, Biology Educator, Centennial High School, Ellicott City, MD. Michelle has been an educator for 30 years teaching biology and research, a passion she developed doing science fair projects during her own school years. Michelle has written curriculum for the county and the National Association of Biology Teachers and has made numerous presentations for conferences and organizations on a variety of topics. She has been at Centennial High School since 1991 and currently works with students in the Intern/Mentor Program as part of the Gifted and Talented Program. Among her students, she boasts winners in the Siemens Competition, Christopher Columbus Life Science Student Award, Intel Science Talent Search, Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and many others. She has been honored as a Presidential Scholar Teacher, a Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction, and Intel Teacher of the Year.

$10,000 Life Sciences Educator Award - Ryan Templeton, Biology Educator, Mathematics and Science High School at Clover Hill, Midlothian, VA. Ryan teaches freshman biology and AP Biology at the Mathematics and Science High School at Clover Hill, where he also serves as Research Coordinator. Ryan is also Director of the Virginia Summer Governor's School for Life Sciences and Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. Emphasizing and encouraging student research in his classes,. his students conduct independent research projects and present their findings at national and international competitions. His efforts have been recognized by the Virginia Academy of Science with an E.C.L. Miller Teaching Award, and a Virginia Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, as well as commendations from the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition.

$5,000 Life Sciences Student Award - Jason Gandelman, Senior, Staples High School, Westport, CT. Jason's high school research investigated toxic compounds called Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs), which are known to contribute to the long-term health problems associated with diabetes, a disease his family has a long history with. Jason's study showed that yeast has evolved mechanisms to minimize the formation of toxic AGE compounds. Attempting to identify a protein that will block the human body's receptor sites from binding with AGEs, Jason believes his study will lead to new medications to prevent or cure blood vessel and kidney damage associated with diabetes. Jason aspires to continue conducting research in biological chemistry at Harvard University.

$5,000 Life Sciences Student Award - Anirudh Mohan, Senior, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA. Anirudh's primary passion lies in the field of biomedical engineering, with an interest in pursuing both technical and business perspectives. During his last two years of high school, he conducted nanobiotechnology research at George Mason University. HIs research involved the nanoengineering of polymers to synthesize novel, “smart” diagnostic devices which can be utilized in lieu of conventional techniques, such as differential diagnosis. He published his results in American Chemical Society journals, earned semifinalist status in the Siemens Competition, and received multiple science fair honors at the Virginia state level. In the Fall, he will begin to pursue his studies as an Angier B. Scholar at Duke University.

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation is honored to have had the assistance of the following distinguished individuals serving on the 2010 Life Sciences Awards Evaluation Committee:

Russell A. Bantham, Esquire
McLean, VA
Alan Bronstein
Chemistry Teacher
Central High School
Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Venigalla Rao
Department of Biology
The Catholic University of America
Washington, D.C.
Dr. Phillip A. Singerman
Senior Vice President
B&D Consulting
Washington, D.C.