60th Annual STS (2000–2001)
Finalists
Michael Zheng-Shee Chiu

MASSACHUSETTS
Michael Zheng-Shee Chiu, 17, of Belmont, completed a two-year study of the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G in immunity and pregnancy for his Intel Science Talent Search project in biochemistry. Michael examined the molecular composition of HLA-G in vitro and in vivo to determine if it occurred naturally in a form that would protect a fetus from a mother's natural killer cells. The results of his study suggest a unique mechanism by which the fetus evades the maternal immune system during pregnancy. He hopes his line of research will one day provide insight into problem pregnancies, and new therapies in transplantation. Michael plays violin in the orchestra at Belmont High School where he also competes on the varsity tennis team, tutors math and is a member of the yearbook staff. He has received numerous awards and honors, including a Massachusetts Student-Athlete Citizen Award and the University of Michigan Book Award. Fluent in Chinese, he is active in the Asian American Club, volunteers for the American Blind Association and teaches Sunday school. Michael, the son of Drs. Shing-Tung Yau and Yu-Yun Yau, hopes to study biology at Harvard and become a physician.