Peter Sterckx is a senior at Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston. Spending the summer of 2015 at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, Peter completed his research on the corrosion of copper and the application of subcritical fluids with a focus on the copper corrosion product atacamite. Peter is the president of his class and is an active student ambassador for his high school. He plays the piano and is part of a drum choral called the Dirty Birds. He also enjoys the outdoors, often going kayaking, hiking, and camping, and he regularly volunteers at the South Carolina Aquarium. He hopes to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology or Clemson University to pursue a major in mechanical engineering with a focus on aerospace engineering.

South Carolina’s 2016 Magnificent Five By Dr. Don M. Jordan Professor USC

Five South Carolina Students will represent the state of South Carolina at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) at the Air Force Research Lab in Dayton Ohio April 27 – 30, 2016. The JSHS program is jointly sponsored by the United States Departments of Army, Navy and Air Force, in cooperation with leading research universities throughout the nation. The primary aims of JSHS are to promote original research and experimentation in science, engineering, and mathematics at the high school level, and to publicly recognize students for outstanding achievement. The JSHS provides a forum for high school students to present the results of their original research. Students who participate in the Symposia also have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas, interact by practicing research, and explore future academic and career opportunities. Teachers Katy Metzner-Roop from Academic Magnet High School in Charleston and Dale Soblo, Spring Valley HS, Columbia SC will lead the entourage of students to the National Symposium. Katharine Lee Roop Academic Magnet High School Charleston, Dale Soblo, Michelle Spigner , and Joanne Bedlek- Anslow all from Spring Valley High School were chosen to receive the 2016 JSHS Teacher Award in recognition of educational excellence in the sciences.

Tanvi Mehta is currently a junior in the Discovery Magnet program at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC. This past year she conducted research under the mentorship of Dr. Brandon Bookstaver at the South Carolina College of Pharmacy on ARV medication errors in HIV patients. She hopes to pursue her interest in biochemistry and the biological basis of behavior in college. Following her undergraduate studies, she will attend medical school and pursue a career in surgery. Outside of the classroom, she is an active member in her school and community. She serves as HOSA president, Winter Days Senior Chair, and is a part of MAT, SNHS, and NHS. She is active in her community, volunteering at various shelters, the Free Medical Clinic, and Palmetto Health Richland Hospital. She enjoys playing tennis, doing Indian classical dance, going to sporting events, and spending time with her family and friends.

. Ishita Kapoor is a sophomore at the Discovery Magnet Program at Spring Valley High School. Her passion for improving the efficiency of a nebulizer was sparked based on her personal experience. With her new invention of two timed nebulization systems and modifications to commercial nebulizers, she hopes to integrate these improvements in day to day use of nebulizers for treating lung diseases thereby making it more affordable across the world. Her goal is to pursue a major in biology and follow a medical science track. She is a proud member of HOSA and Mu Alpha Theta. Her interests include playing the piano and flute, swimming, travelling, and playing badminton. She also enjoys spending time volunteering at Palmetto Health hospital as a Junior volunteer, and at the Richland Library. She is a silver medalist in the National Spanish exam and one of the top ten finalists in the Atlantic Institute Essay contest

Miranda Schwacke is currently a senior at Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston. For her senior thesis, Miranda conducted research at the College of Charleston under the mentorship of Dr. Dave Boucher. Her research focused on the effect of the ratio in which natural dyes are cosensitized on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. Miranda is an active volunteer within and outside of her school community through organizations such as Student Council, Key Club, and National French Honor Society. She is also a member of her school’s cross-country and track teams and enjoys playing the piano and reading in her free time.

Sarayu Das is a Discovery magnet student and a sophomore at Spring Valley High School. Her research was done on the effect of pharmaceuticals on aquatic ecosystems. She has a passion for science, especially biology, environmental sciences, and medicine and health. She enjoys reading, creative writing, dancing, and photography. She is proud to be a part of the SC HOSA chapter, Circle of Friends, co-chair for Winter Days, and loves to volunteer at the Richland County Public Library. She is interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare.

The Department of Defense (DOD) South Carolina JSHS program is under the College of Arts & Sciences USC, Center for Science Education. The director of the South Carolina JSHS is Dr. Don M. Jordan For more information contact: Dr. Don M. Jordan, Center for Science Education, Sumwalt Room 321, University of South Carolina, Columbia SC 29208. Phone: 803 777-7007 and email: [email protected],