Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • August 15, 2012 Area During an intensive summer academic program, 85 Governor’s School scholars explored why the Ancient Guangalans of Ecuador disappeared. They conducted research to see how garlic, cinnamon, or cloves can provide protection from the streptococcus bacteria, and asked what happens to a plant when temperatures are higher and there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The Governor’s School in the Sciences scholars presented their findings at an Aug. 3 conference at Drew University. Governor’s School scholars are high school students entering their senior year who were selected for the program from more than 300 applicants. Among the students who presented research projects at the Drew University campus were Richard Tamirian of Allendale, Sophie Lederer of Glen Rock, Michelle Guo of Ho-Ho-Kus, and Peter Xiong of Mahwah. Students worked in small groups during the threeweek program. “The Governor’s School cultivates interest in the sciences for high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds. Gov- Governor’s School researchers make presentations ernor’s School graduates have made important contributions to research that benefit New Jersey’s citizens and economy. We are very proud of the research the students presented…at Drew,” said New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks. Her office administers state funding for the Governor’s School. Scholars lived on the Drew campus during the summer program. Emphasis was placed on solving complex issues that exist on local, state, national, and international levels. The scholars participated in college-level courses and labs. There were guest speakers, including the 2011 Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess, who is an alumnus of the Governor’s School in the Sciences. The scholars engaged in activities such as career day and a college fair, that helped them connect with professors, professionals, and peers throughout the state. This year’s program was funded by the State of New Jersey, Roche Foundation, Zucchi Trust, Novartis, Independent College Fund of New Jersey, Bayer Healthcare, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Watson Team 3: Team Leader Rachel Sandler of Edison, Chelsea Taylor of Summit, Rachel Ying of East Brunswick, Richard Tamirian of Allendale, Tasneem Maner of Plainsboro, Preeti Gondi of Basking Ridge, Gary Hoffman of Cranford, Ali Siddiqui of Closter, Mehr Matthew of Edgewater, Jason Roth of South Orange, Xuewei Ouyang of Highland Park, Omolola Agabalogun of Egg Harbor Township, and Teaching Assistant Lalita Nekkanti of Boston, MA. Team 5: Team Leader David Cincotta of South Orange, Adam Richardson of South Orange, Robert Kolchmeyer of East Brunswick, Michelle Guo of Ho-Ho-Kus, Yanglu Chen of Belle Mead, Alexandra Kapadia of Westfield, Erik Massenzio of Sparta, Katherine Dong of Warren, Zachariah DeGiulio of High Bridge, Christina Floristean of Morganville, Jan-Alfred Aquino of Bayonne, Christopher Chen of Pine Brook, Jessica Xu of Watchung, and Teaching Assistant Alberto Rivera of Cambridge, MA. Pharmaceuticals, Glaxo Smith Kline, and contributions from alumni of the Governor’s School in the Sciences. Team 2’s chemistry project involved “Improving the Hydrophobicity of Kitchenware through the Covalent Bonding of Phosphonic Acids.” This team, which included Xiong of Mahwah examined new methods to coat non-metallic surfaces with substances that repel non-stick substances that repel water. This research would enable the coating of materials to which current non-stick substances cannot be used. Other advantages include the fact that these new substances would be permanently attached and less toxic than the current non-stick materials now being used. Team 3, which included Allendale’s Tamirian, focused on microbiology. This group’s project was “The Spices of Life: Testing the Antimicrobial Effects of Garlic, Cinnamon, and Clove against Streptococcus Mutans.” A variety of herbs and spices have been shown to kill bacteria in the body. This project examined whether these natural antibiotics are effective against bacteria found in the mouth. This research could lead to the development of new mouthwashes that reduce the number of cavities a person may have. Team 5, which included Guo of Ho-HoKus, took on “Zero-order Kinetics through a Polymer Membrane Using a Saturated Solution Reservoir System.” One problem with taking a pill, using an air freshener, or applying a deer repellent is that a lot of the chemical is released at the beginning, but the amount becomes less and less as times passes. This project examined possible ways that a constant release of a chemical might be accomplished. Team 8 researched “The Predicted Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change on Rye Grass.” This group, which included Glen Rock’s Lederer, studied what happens to a plant when temperature is higher and there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This project examined what impact the trends predicted by global warming may have on plant growth.