61st Annual STS (2001–2002)
Finalists
Mark Kaganovich

INDIANA
Mark Kaganovich, 17, of Bloomington, entered the Intel Science Talent Search with a biochemistry project, an examination of an important yet poorly understood phenomenon in RNA synthesis in viruses called RNA slippage, or "stuttering." He set out to determine the biophysical rules that regulate how and when slippage occurs, and he reports a successful in vitro demonstration of slippage and the discovery of several rules that govern the process. Mark believes his work could help lead to new therapies for certain viruses, including Hepatitis C, Ebola virus and Influenza A. Mark's earlier project on the subject earned him a special achievement award at the Intel Science and Engineering Fair in 2000. Mark has been studying biology since the sixth grade, and he believes that the ultimate evolutionary battle is between humans and viruses. First in his class of 341 at Bloomington High School North, Mark tutors his peers in math and plays varsity tennis. Born in Estonia, He is the son of Dr. Michael Kaganovich and Ella Liderman. Mark reads Russian and French fluently, enjoys painting, piano and ultimate frisbee, and he hopes to continue his biochemistry studies at Harvard.