59th Annual STS (1999–2000)
Finalists
Feng Zhang

IOWA
Feng Zhang, 18, of Des Moines, submitted a biochemistry project in molecular virology to the Intel Science Talent Search. In his two-year study conducted at the Human Gene Therapy Research Institute, Feng investigated the structural protein GAG for dominant negative theraputic activity capable of disrupting the formation of infectious viruses. In conducting a genetic functional analysis of the Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus-a common model for HIV/AIDS research-Feng identified a natural mechanism that he believes can be used in preventing retroviral formation, and subsequent viral infection. He hopes his work will "provide a small piece to the larger puzzle of conquering the HIV disease." Feng is the recipient of numerous awards in science, technology, mathematics, oratory and forensics, and his pottery has been exhibited at the Des Moines Art Center. He is first in his class of 1,620 at Theodore Roosevelt High School, and is an Eagle scout, a political campaign volunteer and a volunteer computer consultant. Feng plans a career as a research scientist and hopes to study at Harvard. He is a native of China and the son of Guoqiang Zhang and Shujun Zhou.