ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY SELECTS JEFFREY MODELL SCHOLARS FOR 1999
High School Outreach Program Taps Exceptional Young Scientists

The Rockefeller University of New York recently informed two gifted young students that they have been selected as Jeffrey Modell Scholars for the 1999 academic year. The students are the sixth and seventh such recipients of the Foundation's grants.

Ms. Micaela Mendlow, a senior at St. Ann's School in Brooklyn, New York, has an interest in determining the effect of adrenal steroids and stress on the brain. Stress may have an effect on the immune system, as well as implications for research related to autoimmune disease. Ms. Mendlow will be working in the Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, headed by Professor Bruce McEwen under the supervision of Dr. Constantine Pavlides. Micaela submitted her research paper entitled "Synthesis of Cholesteric Liquid Crystal" which impressed the selection committee that eventually awarded the grant.

Mr. Steve Tulgan will be at the University as an intern with the Population Council to study the impact of certain cytokines on stem cells. This is work which is relevant to immunological studies. This year, Steve will be a senior at Manalapan High School in Manalapan, New Jersey. His mentor at the Population Council will be Pat Morris. Steve submitted his research paper entitled "Role of IgA in Controlling the Fate of Hematopoietic Stem Cells", which impressed the selection committee that eventually awarded the grant.

Since its inception just a few years ago, the Rockefeller Science Outreach Students have developed a superb record of accomplishments. Several have become authors on scientific papers and many have competed successfully in science competitions at the local, national and international level including:

• 4 students were among the 10 finalists for the American Academy of Neurology's Neuroscience prize
• 23 semi-finalists in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search
• First prize in General Biology/ Microbiology at The National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, sponsored by the Department of Defense.
• Numerous award winners in the American Chemical Society Project Scholarship Program: American Society for Microbiology High School Research Competition
• National Science Teachers Association Scholarship Competition.

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