61st Annual STS (2001–2002)
Finalists
Ezra Jacob Rapoport

NEW YORK
Ezra Jacob Rapoport, 18, of New York, presents a new method of detecting the patterns underlying all quasi-periodic waveforms, which are found throughout nature, for his Intel Science Talent Search computer science project. Ezra demonstrated the effectiveness of his method by using his own pitch-tracking algorithm to compress human speech waveforms with an efficiency that surpasses current standards. His work may lead to software with more efficient voice recognition capabilities. At Horace Mann High School in the Bronx, Ezra is a member of the math and engineering clubs and captain of the fencing and computer science teams. He also enjoys playing piano and trumpet. An avid inventor, Ezra met a summer astronomy program challenge -- to measure the gravitational force on a liquid-nitrogen-powered rocket -- by designing and machining an accelerometer to be launched inside the rocket, earning him a place in the program's hall of fame. The winner of many national and regional science and math awards, Ezra hopes to become a researcher in telecommunications and engineering after college. He is the son of Dr. Samuel and Sandra Rapoport.