Whiz Kid: Gaithersburg Magnet Student Named Science Competition Finalist

Montgomery Blair High’s Neil Davey was named a regional finalist in the 2012-13 Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology on Oct. 19.

Davey, a Gaithersburg resident and high school junior, received the prestigious annual award in recognition of his research in the fields of science and technology.

His research, conducted over the summer, explored “Deletion of Endonuclease G Disrupts Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Leads to Reduced Virulence in the Human Protozoan Parasite Leishmania Mexicana.”

“I am honored to be named a Regional Finalist in the Siemens Competition for my project that was aimed at creating a vaccine candidate for the parasitic disease Leishmaniasis," Davey said. "I am especially grateful to the Blair Magnet Program, which has given me the knowledge and opportunity to be able to work in a lab over the summer, where I conducted my research.”

Davey was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

He heads to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to compete on Nov. 23 for the regional title.

The high school junior wasn’t the only student recognized in the competition. Eight Blair Magnet Seniors were awarded as semifinalists in the 2012-13 Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology.

The honorees include:

Rockville - Samir Durvasula, Elizabeth Liu, Junsheng Ma, Ashley

Yuen, and Samuel Zbarsky

Gaithersburg - Danting Liu

Bethesda - Charlie Pasternak

Kensington - Jinhie Skarda

Semifinalists are rewarded by Siemens with a school banner and a gift package.