59th Annual STS (1999–2000)
Finalists
Jennifer Ahjin Kim

NEW YORK
Jennifer Ahjin Kim, 17, of Armonk, submitted a psychology project for the Intel Science Talent Search showing that the brain reacts differently when someone expresses an opinion rather than a fact. Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Jennifer observed that while some brain regions are active during both tasks, expressing opinions (which involves experiences and emotions) is more complex causing more activity in the frontal lobe than reciting facts. She concludes that separate neural systems are used for the two tasks. Her work will contribute new information to the understanding of human cognitive processes, and her name will appear as lead author on a paper describing her study scheduled for publication in a neurological journal. A dancer since age five, she is choreographer of the Byram Hills High School dance club, which she founded in 1999 to give students a way to have fun and exercise without the competitiveness of varsity sports. Other activities have included the French club, basketball, volleyball, and playing flute and piano. Jennifer plans to study pre-med or biophysics at Brown. She is the daughter of Sang Wook Kim and Susan Dosun Kim.