Intel ISEF Research Highlight: Precision Medicine and… Pee?
In recognition of some seriously interesting and impactful research from Intel ISEF 2018, we’re profiling the work of several scientists from the Delaware Valley Science Fair team. Over the course of the coming weeks, we will post a series of research highlights to celebrate science, spread awareness of ways to get involved in research, and share the reality that there is no one avenue to research and all preconditions to scientific greatness are imaginary.
Today, we’re continuing our research highlight series through a Q&A with Adam Zhang, a rising high school senior and current Show Some STEMpathy blogger interested in the role of an enzyme in promoting apoptosis of cancer cells.

Research Highlight: Precision Medicine and Pee
In his words: Known to most as weird (in a good way) but uncannily “attractive” (interpret that as you please), Adam Zhang adds a unique persona to the scientific community. While his two siblings never really had a passion for the infamous high school science fairs, Adam has participated in research competitions since eighth grade and has lost friends and his social life ever since. But on a more serious note, his drive and love for science, inspired by fellow friends and mentors, truly shines through as one of his defining features. This passion can be summed up in one word: satisfaction. Not only satisfaction in the sense of participating and performing well in various competitions, but satisfaction in the sense of making an impact on the science world — however small that impact may be. Adam’s experiences of planning, conducting, and analyzing experiments (mostly using PCR — Polymerase Chain Reaction, or in other words, Pipette, Cry, and Repeat) have shaped him into a better and higher-level nerd. A nerd, however, who also loves to talk with friends, play music, and just have fun! Nevertheless, even with his geeky personality and passion for science, Adam hopes that life’s tendency to throw problems our way only fuels his motivation to continue working hard and inspiring others to do good things for our world.
Project title: Urine as an Alternative to Blood for Cancer Liquid Biopsy and Precision Medicine.
Category: Translational medicine.
Competitions: Montgomery County Science Research Competition, Delaware Valley Science Fair, Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, BioGENEius, and Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science.
Biggest inspiration: My close friends. Their persistence and accomplishments in science fairs have given me the motivation to follow in their footsteps. Not only that, but their contributions and talents in other areas — like music, volunteer service, selflessness, you name it — further inspire me to continue working hard. Furthermore, I am also very inspired by my parents and mentors. Their sacrifices and willingness to support me along every step of my journey inspires me to want to return the favor by working hard and to never give up.
When not science-ing, he is: Playing tennis, talking with friends, and playing or listening to music.
Favorite song: Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran.
His happy place is: Imagine a beautiful, lush field where the flowers are starting to bloom. There is a slight breeze, and the smell of nature envelops you. It’s not too hot or too cold, and you smile as you walk along the path with green hills and trees seeming to welcome you. You and your close friend talk and breathe in the beauty. This setting would be my happy place.
Biggest thing he learned from his research: The biggest thing I learned from my research was that time management and planning ahead is of the utmost importance. Before, I would never understand why some people spent so much effort in drafting organizational materials and planning books. After being exposed to the research process, I now know how important it is to constantly be thinking about what you are going to do next. You can never be ready enough.
It’s also important to plan your schedule carefully such that you have time to relax. People who are able to accommodate both work and free time are the most successful in my opinion. Thus, now that I am immersed in summer research, I always try to at least think about what I plan to do the next day or following week so that I don’t fall behind and so that I can squeeze in free time.
Q&A
Why did you initially want to start your research? What is the problem you wanted to solve and how did you learn about it?
I wanted to start doing research because of the inspiration I got from close friends. Whether it be the awards and recognition they got or the intellectual skills they developed, I observed how their research experiences truly transformed them into better people in general. Thus, I too wanted to take the challenge and start research on my own!
The main problem I looked into was finding the best cancer screening method with regards to invasiveness, cost, and efficacy. Currently, blood is being used for a minimally invasive “liquid biopsy” and has shown great potential in the early detection of cancer — that is, detection of cancer at a stage where it is still curable — by utilizing various markers found in it. However, we thought that urine may be a better alternative to blood for liquid biopsy because it is completely noninvasive and could potentially be a more universally effective screening method. I learned about this topic and developed this project idea from the lab I intern at, called the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute. This biotechnology center gave me the platform necessary to conduct my experiments and gave me the opportunity to interact with professional scientists.
How did your work begin?
My work began two summers ago when I was a rising sophomore. Most of my older friends who achieved success in science fairs worked with a professor called Dr. Su. She is an extremely giving and caring scientist who is ever so willing to work with young, aspiring scientists. Among the requirements, you had to somehow prove you were determined to work hard and were responsible enough to handle the workload. What was convenient for me was the fact that Dr. Su was also one of my bible study teachers! Thus, through this connection, I had the opportunity to show my character and who I was as a person.
This early exposure to such amazing tools elevated me to a platform where I could truly start my journey as a scientist, not just a science lover. However, with this amazing opportunity came moments where I felt very overwhelmed and, still to this day, I get this feeling. But through the encouragement of my parents, friends, and Dr. Su herself, I started to face those fears and learned to always step up to the challenge.
After conversing with her personally and through other means like email, I was able to land a spot in her research lab, and what a ride has it been! I began to work with technology I learned about in school, like polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis. This early exposure to such amazing tools elevated me to a platform where I could truly start my journey as a scientist, not just a science lover. However, with this amazing opportunity came moments where I felt very overwhelmed and, still to this day, I get this feeling. But through the encouragement of my parents, friends, and Dr. Su herself, I started to face those fears and learned to always step up to the challenge. The beginning is always one of the most difficult moments, but never give up!

Yay, you got your work going! However, I’m guessing it wasn’t all smooth sailing. What were the sticking points? More importantly, how did you get over them?
Before getting into the research process, I was not expecting the amount of troubleshooting that I went through. In fact, during my internship last year, I spent a good majority of the summer trying to troubleshoot problems that kept on popping up. Thus, over these few years, I had many “sticking points” with regards to experimental design, planning, carrying out those experiments, and even analyzing my results — whether those results be from polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, etc. More specifically, I would often get results that just don’t make sense. For example, one of my main sticking points throughout the entirety of my project was trying to figure out why a certain assay could not effectively detect a specific mutation in blood even though it could be detected in urine.
As I spent more and more time at the lab, my mentors would give me the opportunity to try and figure out any errors I came across during my experiments by myself. This gave me the chance to dive deeper into the intricacies of my project and how I could improve upon it.
However, I eventually learned how to get over these obstacles with the help of my mentors. I developed troubleshooting skills and started to solve problems from a different angle. As I spent more and more time at the lab, my mentors would give me the opportunity to try and figure out any errors I came across during my experiments by myself. This gave me the chance to dive deeper into the intricacies of my project and how I could improve upon it. For example, even though I couldn’t definitively find the solution to the aforementioned problem, I was able to come up with a few explanations as to why it could happen biologically.
If you had to pick a favorite snapshot from your work, what would it be? Describe that moment.
My favorite moment from my work is the feeling I would get after organizing all my data and finalizing a poster presentation. It’s hard to explain the satisfaction that comes with compiling all your efforts into one comprehensive presentation. Before you start making the poster or whatever you intend to present, all the data you collect have to be analyzed and thoroughly organized in a manner that is presentable. This step takes a very long time, and depending on how far you want to take the statistical analytics, it can consume your life (not literally, but it still takes a really long time).
After I finally finish making all the data analysis, background information, graphics and charts, you still need to transform that huge mess into an easy-to-understand poster. This process required me to talk with my mentor, converse with my parents, and even present to friends. Thus, even though finalizing a poster presentation is one of the hardest parts of research, it is probably my most rewarding and favorite moment.

Pretend you’ve written a how-to manual for students interested in pursuing research; what would be the main takeaways/elevator pitch?
There are two main takeaways I would offer. First and foremost, I would say it is important to have the right mindset when pursuing research. Determination, curiosity, and the willingness to experience failure after failure are among the most important mindsets you need to have when conducting research. Make sure you have the courage to explore the unknown knowing that you may never come out with a solution — that’s just how science works. Unfortunately, I have come across various individuals that just can’t handle this kind of pressure, and I’ve personally wanted to give up multiple times. You just have to keep on pushing.
First and foremost, I would say it is important to have the right mindset when pursuing research. Determination, curiosity, and the willingness to experience failure after failure are among the most important mindsets you need to have when conducting research.
Secondly, it is best to have advisors — whether it be friends or mentors — by your side during research. Sometimes we can feel helpless and stuck, and we should never be afraid to go to those around us to ask for help. Remember, you are never alone during the research process! Use your resources! I believe the best way to spark innovation is by bouncing ideas off of fellow scientists. During this process, you will also find yourself making new friends and enjoy your research even more.
How has science fair shaped your understanding of your own abilities and role within the world? Would you recommend it to others?
I don’t want to sound cliché, but science fair has transformed me into someone who now strives to make an impact on our world. It’s given me the opportunity to really examine my passions and my greatest strengths and weaknesses. Before science fair, I was a self-doubting, nervous, and close-minded individual that didn’t “think beyond.” I would never want to speak in front of people, share stories/ideas with others (or merely talk to others), or even challenge myself.
These competitions are more than just nerd fests or award opportunities, trust me. Science fair will change the way you view science, its community, and the global environment.
Fast forward to after competing in science fairs, now I believe that I’m a new person. I have found what it means to “go outside your comfort zone” and now have a burning passion for conversing with others. Although I admit I still struggle with self-doubt and stress, the science fairs have paved the way for my true talents and character. This experience really does open you up to who you are and can be in the future, and by meeting other talented young scientists, I now share their desire to make an impact on the world; no matter the size of that impact, I want to touch the lives of as many people as possible. Thus, because of how science fair has impacted my life, I encourage all of you to go outside your comfort zone and participate in science fair. These competitions are more than just nerd fests or award opportunities, trust me. Science fair will change the way you view science, its community, and the global environment.
Any advice for your future researcher self?
The most important piece of advice I could give right now would be to never give up and to always strive to impact the lives of others. As I progress into college and into my career path, it can be easy to forget our potential duties as leaders of the next generation. With this comes the responsibility of leading, nurturing, and taking care of others in order to make our world a better place.
Research, science, or any other field is not a one-sided study — it’s an opportunity for us that are more fortunate to reach out to as many people as possible.
Research, science, or any other field is not a one-sided study — it’s an opportunity for us that are more fortunate to reach out to as many people as possible. Thus, I would want my future self to never forget the importance of giving to others. This will inevitably bring about various obstacles, so it is also important for me to never give up and to continue working hard.
Anyone you’d like to thank who helped you throughout this journey?
There are three groups of people I would like to thank.
First, I would not have been able to start my journey without the support of my parents. It can be hard to truly appreciate all the things that your parents sacrifice just for you, but after my research, I can sincerely acknowledge all the support my parents gave me. Whether it be simple things like getting supplies for me or reading through my presentations, my parents were there for me every step of the way.
Second, I would like to thank all my mentors, especially Dr. Su. Without their guidance and support, I would still be that novice wannabe scientist. I would still be locked into a cage of not thinking outside the box. Their support and willingness to work with me is something I cannot repay them for; I can only thank them with all my heart.
Finally, I want to thank my friends who have encouraged me to come this far. I am privileged to work with so many bright minds, and they push me to continue working hard.
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