On the recordSeptember 20, 2010
today, I have the distinct pleasure of recognizing before the Senate some of the most talented and brightest young people in the United States. The 2010 Davidson Fellows Award is being given to 20 young students who are under the age of 18 and have already demonstrated superior ability and achievement in the areas science, music, literature, mathematics, and technology. I would like to take this time to recognize each of these extraordinary young individuals and their projects. In the area of science, we have 12 young students with remarkable projects that have contributed to scientific progress. This includes Kyle Loh, a 16-year-old young man from Piscataway, NJ, who conducted screening of chemical libraries and identified compounds that can help convert human and mouse skin cells into pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells have the potential to differentiate into many different cell types. The chemical compounds he identified obviate the need to destroy embryos. Kyle's studies advance regenerative medicine and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the conversion of skin cells into pluripotent stem cells.
