James Evan Fenska
Oklahoma
James Evan Fenska, 17, of Miami, submitted a microbiology project to the Intel
Science Talent Search that evaluated the ability of certain plant extracts to
inhibit the growth of
E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Evan
tested the efficacy of five natural antioxidants, known as flavonoids, as
treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections. Anthocyanins (found mainly in
flowers and fruits), green tea extract, propolis (resin used in beehives), red
wine bioflavonoids and grape seed extract were all shown to have some inhibitory
effects on infection growth. His results indicate that green tea extract, grape
seed extract and red wine bioflavonoids inhibit bacteria growth significantly
and show considerable promise in reversing resistance to oxacillin in infectious
bacteria. Evan attends Miami High School, is first in his class of 124, and
competes on the varsity soccer and varsity swim teams. He also plays trombone in
the school band and is an Eagle Scout, and hopes to attend Washington University
in St. Louis or Northwestern. The son of Sally and the late Lyle Fenska, Evan
was inspired to become a doctor following a medical mission trip he shared with
his father in 2006.
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