63rd Annual STS (2003-2004)
Finalists
Jennifer Anne D'Ascoli

NEW YORK
Jennifer Anne D'Ascoli, 17, of Niskayuna, entered a biochemistry project in the Intel Science Talent Search that studied the structure of two common edible plant flavonoids. Inspiration for her project -- Blueberry Pie: Friend or Foe? -- came when she compared the yellow-green interior of a raw blueberry to the deep purple color inside blueberries found in a baked pie. Jennifer's project focused on the molecular structural changes that occur when two flavonoids, both with demonstrated anticancer potential for breast and prostate cancers, are heated to cooking temperatures, hoping to see if the heat-modified structural transformations are more biologically active than their unheated forms. Jennifer's work, submitted to the Journal of Biochemistry, suggests that they are -- and that they may become more effective anticarcinogenic agents as a result. At Academy of the Holy Names in Albany, Jennifer participates in the mock trial, drama and math clubs and retreat team. She won 1st Grand Award in Physics at the Intel ISEF as well as numerous other awards in French, math, science and literature. The daughter of Dr. Richard and Karen D'Ascoli, Jennifer hopes to attend MIT.