58th Annual STS (1998–1999)
Finalists
Brett Charles De Poister

Brett Charles De Poister, 17, of Fleetwood, investigated the effects of pollutants on the embryonic development of the African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, for his environmental science entry in the Intel Science Talent Search. Based on fieldwork, lab tests and histological analysis of some 700 slides of embryo sections, Brett concluded that exposure to elevated concentrations of zinc (heavy metal) and diazinon (pesticide) caused serious abnormalities that would have decreased the adult's chance of survival and could eventually kill off the species. For this project, he was named U.S. Finalist for the International Stockholm Junior Water Prize at last year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and subsequently won second prize in the Swedish-based competition. He has completed an internship at the University of Adelaide in Australia, and is currently president of his class and reigning Homecoming King at Central Catholic High School in Reading. An enthusiastic weightlifter, Brett holds the school's bench press record. His hobbies include herpetology and playing the didgeridoo. The son of David and Kathleen De Poister, he plans to attend MIT, Duke or Notre Dame.

Back to List of 1999 Intel Science Talent Search Finalists