59th Annual STS (1999–2000)
Finalists
Alexandra Neuhaus-Follini

NEW YORK
Alexandra Neuhaus-Follini, 17, of New York, has been named as a finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search for her biochemistry entry whose conclusions go against current dogma and may require reconsideration in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Alexandra's project grew out of research focused on cell death in the brain that she became interested in while working as a volunteer researcher in the laboratories of Montefiore Hospital. Until recently, cell death was considered to be an inevitable process of aging. Now scientists believe cells may continue to develop and even grow despite age. Her project examines factors widely known to protect the brain. A surprising finding was that certain proteins thought to nurture the brains of victims of Parkinson's Disease, may actually worsen their condition. In recognition of her research she received a grant from the Parkinson's Diseases Foundation. Alexandra earned numerous academic honors while attending the Chapin School. She hopes to attend Harvard and become a biomedical researcher. She competes in tennis and is editor of the Chapin Literary Magazine. Her parents are Robert Follini and Helen Neuhaus.