Teen turns her cancer into science project
Teen turns her cancer into science project honored by President Obama at White House Science Fair
At just 18-years-old, Elana Simon from Manhattan has beaten a rare form of cancer, co-authored a study on the disease and been accepted to Harvard University.
On Tuesday, she racked up another accomplishment: She wowed the President.
“Can I just say, I did not do this at 12, or 18,” President Obama told her during the fourth annual White House Science Fair. “We’re so proud of you.”
Elana Simon, 18, wows President Obama with her science project about cancer at the 2014 White House Science Fair. (credit: Larry Downing / Reuters)
The Dalton School student was among more than 100 students recognized by Obama for work in science, technology, engineering and math competitions or programs.
At the age of 12, Simon was diagnosed with a liver cancer known as fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. After her tumor was successfully removed, Simon, at 15, suggested a study to her surgeon.
That step seemed normal to Simon, who hails from a family that includes several prominent scientists.
The study, which she helped to conduct, unconvered a genetic mutation that may play a role in how the tumor strikes. The findings were published in the prestigious journal, Science.
In April, Simon was named a “Young Champion in Cancer Research” by the American Association for Cancer Research.
But she called the White House Science Fair, during which the President reviewed a visual representation of the mutation she studied, “totally the coolest thing I’ve done.”
“I freaked out so much,” the mostly poised high school senior said afterward.
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so exciting.”
Students at the event included Jayda Collazo, 12, from the Bronx, who met Obama Tuesday after showing enthusiasm for science at an event organized through a partnership between Time-Warner and the Boys and Girls Club of America.
“He shook my hand,” Jayda said. “My heart stopped beating for a second.”
It was the first trip outside of New York and the first plane flight for Jayda, who said she wants to become a pediatrician.
Source: Dan Friedman / nydailynews.com
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