Savina Kim: Commack High School
An undated photo of 2012 Intel F\semifinalist Savina Kim of Commack High School. Credit: None
The more Savina Kim learns about the brain, the more she wants to plumb its mysteries. One day, she hopes to find treatments to help those who suffer from schizophrenia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
The Commack High School senior's research began as she spoke last summer with mentor David Talmage at Stony Brook University. As they talked, he sketched, creating an illustration of their discussion.
"At the end of the conversation there was a big circle of black-ink-filled arrows and question marks," Kim said. "That's the brain, in my opinion. It's just a big, black hole of mystery." She plans to study neurobiology and hopes to attend Yale University.
Kim, 17, is the first person in her family to be fully educated in the United States. Her parents emigrated from South Korea when they were in their 20s.
Tuesday night's news that she is an Intel finalist sparked a joyous family celebration.
"I think my heart skipped a beat for a second," she said. "I am still in shock."
'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.
'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.
