58th Annual STS (1998–1999)
Finalists
Carol Anne Fassbinder

Carol Anne Fassbinder, 17, of Elgin, discovered a new parasite control for honeybees for her Intel Science Talent Search biology project. Her family operates honeybee colonies in northeast Iowa, and Varroa jacobsoni, a parasitic mite, is crippling beekeeping in the state. In 1988, there were 200,000 honeybee colonies in Iowa. There are now fewer than 40,000. What's more, the mite is developing resistance to fluvalinate, the only approved chemical control. Carol investigated monoterpenoids—compounds found in many plant oils—as alternatives. She found that, of the 15 natural and synthetic monoterpenoids she investigated, perillyl acetate provided the most honeybee protection. The Iowa State Research Foundation has now recognized the compound as an intellectual property, clearing the way for patent application. First in her class at Valley Community High School, Carol is student council president, plays bassoon, sings, and manages the cross country and track teams. Carol's outside interests include her small beeswax candle business. The daughter of Robert and Kathryn Fassbinder, she plans to enter Iowa State University to study entomology.

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