63rd Annual STS (2003-2004)
Finalists
Ning Zhou

MINNESOTA
Ning Zhou, 16, of Plymouth, investigated the genetic cause of variations in the size of the corpus callosum, part of the brain that connects the left and right hemispheres and which is associated with a variety of disorders, for his entry in the Intel Science Talent Search in medicine and health. His study mapped genetic loci controlling corpus callosum size in the mouse brain using brain sections from 191 recombinant inbred mice. Ning's mapping identified a genetic locus on chromosome 10 and two interactive genetic loci on chromosomes 1 and 6, which strongly suggests that corpus callosum size is inheritable. He believes his work could one day lead to minimally invasive treatments for diseases such as schizophrenia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and dyslexia. First in his class of 702 at Wayzata High School, Ning is on the debate team and captain of both the Minnesota State High School Math League and the State All-Star Math Team. He is a Schubert Club regional piano solo finalist, teaches in a Chinese school and is a board member of TeenLinks. Born in China, Ning is the son of Drs. Xiaohong Zhou and Lily Xia. He plans to pursue a career in biological research after attending Harvard.