Scientists of the future

Archbishop Molloy High School senior Mary Catherine Wen's team research project has earned her a spot in the national Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology.
By the time she was in junior high school, Wen was already regularly attending summer science camps, saying that she liked to know what was going on in the world and how things worked.
&#8220I think it's good that there's always room to explore,” Wen said of her interest in science.
Through a summer program at Stony Brook University, Wen teamed up with Jenny Yeh of Sugar Land, Texas to create the project &#8220Proliferation and Alignment of Osteoblasts on Oriented Magnetic Nano-composites,” which &#8220combines a magnetic fields component with materials science to help enhance growth of bone cells and accelerate fracture and wound healing.” The two decided to enter the project and, Wen said, &#8220It grew from there.”
Wen and Yeh participated in the southwestern regional finals November 10 and 11, and were given the top team prize.
&#8220Jenny and Mary Catherine's project has obvious medical applications and could lead to finding a better cure for bones that don't grow easily,” said Dr. Wolfgang Frey, one of the competition's judges who is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UT Austin. &#8220We were impressed with the unique way the team used three distinct materials in their research, combining polymers, natural clays and nanoparticles.”
Wen said that she feels honored to have made it so far in the Siemens Competition, which was first held in 1998. This year, 1,660 students throughout the United States took part in it.
&#8220It's amazing. It's an incredible feeling,” Wen said. She added, &#8220Everyone's product is so great. It's really good that we made it so far.”
Along with her work in the science field, Wen is active in her school in many other ways. She is the president of the school's science Olympiad team and is a member of the concert band and French Club, along with doing volunteer work.
&#8220I don't sleep as much as I really should, but I think it's worth it,” said Wen, who resides in Woodside. &#8220I like doing all these things, or else I wouldn't.”
After she graduates from Archbishop Molloy High School, Wen is planning on going to college to study chemical engineering. She said that she would like to work either in that field or possibly in pharmaceutical research.
The Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology will continue next month when the national finals take place December 1 through December 4. Wen said that she is very excited for the finals, adding that the organization is doing a lot for the contestants. Along with providing accom-modations, she said the finalists are being treated to a Broadway show and a behind-the-scenes look at &#8220The Lion King.”
&#8220It's such a long competition and they're treating us really well,” she said. &#8220I can't wait.”
The finals will take place at New York University. For more information on the competition, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.