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Science Talent Search, National Merit, Awards Panel, Apple Distinguished School
ABOVE: Senior Meredith Cox was named a semifinalist in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search.
Intel Science Talent Search Honors Senior Meredith Cox Where the average person might appreciate the mere warmth of sand between their toes, the aroma of ground coffee or the complexion-boosting magic of makeup powder, Durham Academy senior Meredith Cox sees so much more. Already an accomplished scientist, the 17-year-old has a deep interest in such granular particles, and she spends a great deal of time learning why they behave the way they do. And now, in recognition of her research, she has been named a semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest high school science competition. Selected from 1,750 entrants, Cox is among 300 semifinalists nationwide — 11 of whom are from North Carolina. Also a semifinalist this year is former DA student Vibha Puri, who attends N.C. School of Science and Mathematics. After Cox whetted her appetite for granular materials through the summer Mars Outreach for North Carolina
Students (MONS) program — led by Upper School science teacher Howard Lineberger — she approached Duke University physics professor Dr. Bob Behringer with a request to further her research in his lab in the summer of 2015. “It’s not something we study in school, and the fact that it was something I hadn’t really studied before really interested me,” Cox said. “Sand may seem like something that isn’t super interesting to the average person, but there’s actually a lot that you can learn from sand or grains or cereal in a box.” In the thick of her research, Cox spent six or seven hours a day in the lab, where she collected and analyzed data with guidance from Behringer and graduate students. Cox’s research has been well received by the scientific community. Even so, Cox says she was surprised to learn of her advancement in the Intel competition on Jan. 6: “It does feel gratifying. I was really excited when I saw my name. I wasn’t expecting it.” In addition to her interest in science, Cox runs track and cross country at DA; sews anime cosplay and DA theater costumes; has had her poetry published in literary magazine Exurbia and is a senior features editor for student newspaper The Green and White; is an accomplished pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall; and is an avid volunteer who has received the President’s Award and Volunteer Center of Durham Mayor’s Award. As an Intel Science Talent Search semifinalist, Cox receives a $1,000 award from the Intel Foundation. Cox is in good company as a semifinalist. DA alumnus Peter Kasson ’95 was a finalist in 1995 and is now a biomedical engineering professor at the University of Virginia. More recently,
John Pardon ’07 placed second in the 2007 competition. The valedictorian of his class at Princeton University, Pardon went on to earn the prestigious Clay Research Fellowship for mathematics research and is a math professor at Stanford University. As for Cox’s next steps, she plans to study mechanical engineering in college next year, with a goal of putting her skills and interests to work as an entrepreneur. “Something that’s really important to me is women in STEM. Sometimes, maybe it’s not expected for women to be involved in especially physics and engineering. There are a lot fewer women involved,” Cox said. “People like Ms. [Meg] McNall, Mrs. [Trish] Whiting, Mrs. [Kari] Newman, Ms. [Tara] Eppinger, are women involved in science, who are really knowledgeable and inspire me to learn from them, to try to know all of the things that they do.” 17 Durham Academy seniors are named National Merit semifinalists The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has recognized 17 Durham Academy seniors as semifinalists in the 61st annual 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. DA’s semifinalist pool is even larger than last year, and is one of the largest in DA history, said Kathy Cleaver, director of college counseling. The following DA seniors are semifinalists: Anna Baker, Abby Breitfeld, Ellie Breitfeld, Christopher Camitta, Meredith Cox, Abe Dunderdale, Rowan Gossett, Lexi Kadis, Veronica Kim, Matthew Mosca, Bryce Polascik, Braden Saba, Matt Sale, Ryan Samet, Ryan Strauss, Felicity Walston and Eilene Yang.
DURHAM ACADEMY
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