By Scott Brinton
-- and dishing out Italian salad dressing samples at the New York Obesity Research Center, part of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in Manhattan.
As a clinical research coordinator, Breen's mission was to determine what, if any, role people's ability to discriminate between the varying fat content of foods plays in obesity. For his efforts, he was recently named a semifinalist in the prestigious Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition.
Breen studied 114 subjects who were paid $25 an hour in grant money to taste-test 14 samples of Italian salad dressing. Fat content in the dressings varied from 5 to 55 percent. Breen compiled reams of data -- including subjects' body mass indices and their waist measurements -- in massive spreadsheets. He determined that obese people have a harder time distinguishing between foods with differing fat contents. Breen surmises that people with less of the CD36 gene have a reduced ability to detect fat.
Researchers at the obesity center will continue to examine Breen's subjects at least through next summer, at which time they hope to have tested 350 people. "If I have time," Breen said, "I'm definitely going to want to go back" to the center next summer.
Breen, who is considering a career as a doctor or biotech stock analyst, is now studying Advanced Placement chemistry and calculus at Kennedy, and is a member of several honor societies. He also plays trumpet in the Long Island Youth Orchestra, which has held charity concerts around the world, from Cambodia to Chile.
Deborah Breen, Cameron's mother, an elementary school teacher and a Kennedy graduate, said she was thrilled when she received word that her son was a Siemens semifinalist. "He worked really, really hard," she said. "He put in many, many hours over the years, and I was happy that he received the recognition."
Barbi Frank, Breen's science research adviser at Kennedy, said her student "is one of the nicest boys I know. He's just an awesome, all-around kid."
Comments about this story? SBrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
