High school student intern at UAlbany Nanocollege is selected as semifinalst in Intel science competition

A high school senior conducting innovative nanotechnology research as part of an internship at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering of the University at Albany has been selected as a semifinalist in the 2012 Intel Science Talent Search, the nation's most prestigious pre-college science competition.

Seyoon Lee, a senior at the Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts, is among just 300 students chosen nationwide from 1,839 entrants – the most the competition has seen in over a decade. On January 25, 40 of the 300 semifinalists will be named as finalists, and will compete for more than $1.25 million in awards provided by the Intel Foundation.

Working with F. Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, CNSE Associate Professor of Nanoengineering, Lee is conducting research at CNSE on the development of a new type of white light emitting diode (LED) based on a hybrid semiconductor device that uses both organic and inorganic materials. By altering the inorganic layer, he was able to increase the intensity of white light being emitted, which could advance the current progress for implementation of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solid-state lighting, as compared to today's incandescent light bulbs.

Captain of Berkshire School's math team, which ranks first in New England for schools with 500 or fewer students, Lee began working with Professor Shahedipour-Sandvik at CNSE as a 10th grader in 2010.

"I am thrilled to congratulate Seyoon Lee on his selection as a semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search. He is very well deserving of this recognition, especially given his dedication for the past three years to our highly technical research in the important area of clean energy," said Dr. Shahedipour-Sandvik.

"This prestigious honor truly defines him as one of our nation's best and brightest young scientific minds, while further demonstrating the ongoing commitment of the UAlbany NanoCollege to serve as a world-class educational hub and training ground for the innovators of the 21st century."

"It was by far the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," said Seyoon Lee. "I was very lucky to receive guidance and advice from my mentor Dr. Shadi and other graduate students, especially Puneet Suvarna. I also want to thank Dr. Geer and CNSE for giving me the chance to do scientific research. The gravity and professionalism of the process of entering INTEL and writing a scientific paper were valuable experiences that will help me throughout my future. I am grateful to Mr. Schleunes and Berkshire School for giving me such an amazing opportunity that I couldn't even dream of having if I had stayed in Korea."

Now in its 14th year, the Intel STS encourages students to tackle challenging scientific questions and develop the skills to solve the problems of tomorrow. Projects submitted for consideration cover all disciplines of science, including biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, behavioral science, and medicine and health. Past participants have received some of the world's most prestigious honors, winning seven Nobel Prizes, two Fields Medals, three National Medals of Science, and 11 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships.