By Nicole Falco
The Central High School senior and his research partner, Amardeep Grewal, 16, who is from Michigan, split a $20,000 fifth-place award in the team category. The partners learned of their success and received a scholarship check Monday morning during a press conference at NYU. The announcement followed two months of competition.
On Oct. 21, Li learned that he was one of 335 students from 36 states to be named semifinalists. Ten days later he and Grewal became one of 30 teams and 30 individuals nationwide named regional finalists in the competition's six regions. At the New England Regional Finals at MIT Nov. 11-12, Li and Grewal were the team winners, earning a $3,000 scholarship and a place in the national finals at NYU Dec. 2-5.
Li, 17, and Grewal met last summer at SUNY-Stony Brook. Their project, which was conducted at Stony Brook, is entitled, "A New Spin on Wound Healing Scaffolds: Optimization Through Molecular and Physical Design." Inspired by his grandfather's battle with diabetes, Li said he hopes their research will help millions who suffer from "chronic wounds and ulcers, and those who are victims of accidents, assaults, fires and combat."
Li calls the experience "life-changing," and the most recent weekend of competition, he said, was "completely amazing."
"We were introduced to a whole new world that we never would have known was out there," Li said. "It was great to be with so many kids who are as passionate about science as I am."
Li and the other finalists spent the days leading up to the finals in Manhattan. The group of 19 students, including six individual competitors and six teams, were treated to lunches and had the opportunity to mingle with Siemens' top officers, and they saw their own smiling faces light up Broadway. Video clips from the regional finals were shown on a jumbo electronic billboard. "Everybody was really excited to see themselves," Li said. "They were pointing and shouting."
Last Saturday, students' projects were on display at NYU for 13 judges to see. "During that time it was pretty tense," Li said. "Everybody was pretty nervous. We were either sleeping or studying."
On Sunday, competitors were asked to give 12-minute PowerPoint presentations, and were then questioned by the judges. "I expected to be nervous, but when I walked into that room I was pretty excited," Li said of the final phase of the competition. "When it ended I was disappointed, because I knew I could have said more."
Li now considers himself a part of the Siemens family. As a finalist in the 7-year-old competition, he said he has already been offered internships with Siemens, an electronics corporation. "Being a national finalist opens up so many doors and so many opportunities," Li said. "It's just the beginning."
Central High School couldn't be more proud of Li. "It's terrific news," said Principal Joseph Pompilio. "It's a reflection of what we do at Central as far as the work ethic and study habits, being thorough, succeeding and reaching for a standard of excellence...it couldn't have happened to a nicer kid."
Pompilio also noted how well-rounded Li is. Besides being first in his class, according to the current standings, Li is a two-time All-State violinist and a varsity tennis player. Because of his accomplishment, Central was awarded a $2,000 grant for the science department.
Li, who plans to study cell biology and political science when he enters college next fall, said he hopes to be able to use science to make a difference.
Li and Grewal have already entered their project in the Intel Science Talent Search. Semifinalists in that competition will be announced next year.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
