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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 24, 2015 | 14 Student research leads to international science fair by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff Samuel Han was shocked when his mother, a personal support care worker, told him that her patient had chosen to end his life. He wondered what disease could be so unbearable to lead to that decision. The teenager began reading about Huntington's Disease, a genetic degenerative brain disorder that causes cells in parts of the brain to die, leading to loss of muscle coordination, memory and the ability to make decisions and control emotions. "They say it is like having Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia and ALS all in one," the Abbey Park student said. The 16-year-old used his initial research for his science fair project last year. This year, he took it a step further. He contacted McMaster University's department of biomedical sciences and has been working alongside doctors to conduct research into finding a cure for the disease. The Grade 11 student's project earned him an invitation to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh in May. "He's a great example for our students," said Abbey Park science teacher Julie Burr. "It's great to see how excited he is about his project." Han said the thing that surprises most people about Huntington's is the age of the people affected by it. Abbey Park's Samuel Han earned a trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh in May with his project identifying the cause and screening for possible treatments for Huntington's Disease. | submitted photo "People think it only happens to the elderly, but that's not the case," he said. "You can have onset at age two." Symptoms usually first begin to appear between the ages of 30 and 50, though it can S t y l e , S e l e c t i o n , Q u a l i t y, e x c e l l e n c e Torlys EvErWood lvT WaTErproof floor CobblE bEaCh strike in childhood as well. Huntington's Disease is caused by a mutated gene that produces an abnormal protein. Han has been working to identify various compounds with therapeutic potential for treating Huntington's Disease. He has identified two compounds that appear to make the mutated gene healthier. Han said the work being conducted on Huntington's is exciting. Researchers have been able cure the disease in mice, though that doesn't necessarily translate to a cure for humans. Still, he is hopeful a cure is not far away. "I think we're actually quite close," he said. Han plans to study something related to neuroscience when he graduates from Abbey Park and hopes to attend medical school. He's not sure what career path he'll pursue, though. He's also advanced to the provincial DECA business competition so he is also considering being a biotech entrepreneur. Then, there's also music. He was invited to play clarinet with the National Youth Band of Canada, but had to decline the opportunity because it conflicted with the international science fair. Han, a nominee for the junior citizen of the year in 2014, founded the Abbey Park Community Involvement Council, which helps students become more active in their community, and Equipment for Excellence, a non-profit organization that increases accessibility to sports equipment for local youth. He also volunteers with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Halton and the YMCA. He's also involved in several sports, including cross-country, track, badminton, lacrosse and soccer, which he also coaches and referees. With such diverse interests, Han sees no need to rush his decision on a career. "I'm still only a high school student," he said. "As long as I have the drive and the passion to do these things, I'll keep doing them." Six other Oakville students earned trips to the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Kevin Ding from Appleby College earned a gold merit award; Aaron Gomes won the Dr. Colin J.L. Lock Memorial Chemistry Award and the Hamilton Association da Vinci Award and a gold merit award; Ainsley Morrison and Brooke Westwater from Maple Grove Public School won the Environment Hamilton Award and a gold merit award; Lucas Brenninkmeijer from Oakville Christian School won the Hamilton-Wentworth occasional Teacher Local Presentation and Aesthetics Award and a gold merit award; and Jack Mogus from White Oaks Secondary School received the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Steelmaking Award and the Dillon Consulting Science and Engineering Award, a silver merit award and was runner-up for the Primary Fluid Systems Engineering Awards. see Oakville on p.15 Torlys EverWood & EverTile $ 69 ULTIMATE FLOORING beautiful. durable. waterproof floors. v Hardwood v Laminate v Stone v Tile v Cork 4 sq. ft. 266 Speers Road, Oakville · 905.845.8562 www.speersflooring.com