Alexander Chi-Jan Huang

TEXAS

Alexander Chi-Jan Huang, 17, of Plano, submitted to the Intel Science Talent Search a mathematical model for his biochemistry project that predicts the behavior of the circadian clock of Neurospora crassa, the fungus also known as bread mold. In most organisms, the circadian clock dictates the daily biological rhythm of many physiological and molecular activities. Working with his laptop computer at home, Alex created a genetic feedback mathematical model calculating time-series plots that illustrated the daily oscillations of key activating and repressing proteins responsible for circadian rhythms. His model was validated by experimental data and not only showed, but also explained the laboratory phenomena called singularity behavior - the suppression of circadian rhythms by a single pulse of stimulus. Circadian clock research may provide clues to combating jet lag. At Plano Senior High School, Alex is president of the math club and winner of numerous science and debate awards. The son of David and Chao-yin Huang, he is lead attorney and prosecutor for the Plano Teen Court and enjoys spoken-word poetry and the mathematics of origami. Alex hopes to study at Caltech or MIT.