Nithin Tumma, 17, of Fort Gratiot, Mich., who beat out 1,800 applicants in the Intel Science Talent Search, won the top award of $100,000 from the Intel Foundation for his research, which could lead to more direct, targeted, effective and less toxic breast cancer treatments. He analyzed the molecular mechanisms in cancer cells and found that by inhibiting certain proteins, we may be able to slow the growth of cancer cells and decrease their malignancy. President Barack Obama met with the finalists at the White House.
Nithin is first in his class of 332, a varsity tennis player and a volunteer for the Port Huron Museum, where he started a restoration effort for historical and cultural landmarks. Other finalists from across the U.S. took home additional awards totaling $530,000.
