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Milken Senior Named Intel Science Talent Search Semi-Finalist
Congratulations to Milana Bochkur Dratver ('14), who was named a semi-finalist in the 2014 Intel Talent Search, the nation’s most prestigious high school science competition.
Milana is the fourth student in Milken Community Schools history to attain semi-finalist status in the rigorous national competition. The Intel Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science & the Public, is the nation’s most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. Semi-finalists were selected from nearly 1,800 entrants hailing from 489 high schools in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and seven American high schools overseas.
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The 20-page research paper that Milana, a student in Milken Community Schools Mitchell Academy of Science and Technology (M.A.S.T.), submitted to the competition was titled, “Radiation-Induced Reprogramming of Glioma Cells into Glioma Stem Cells.” It demonstrates that differentiated cells from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) can be reprogrammed into GBM stem cells (GBM-SCs) by radiation therapy.
In June 2013, she co-authored a research study titled “Radiation-Induced Notch Signaling in Breast Cancer Stem Cells” that was published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology. The study was conducted under the auspices of the Department of Radiation and Oncology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. She was the only high school student involved, and the only author without a PhD or master’s degree.
Milana is co-captain of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team, The MilkenKnights, and has been an active member of the team for the past four years. Among 65 teams competing in the FRC LA Regional in 2013, The MilkenKnights won first place with Milana as a key team member. The team advanced to the world championships in St. Louis in 2013 and were finalists in the FRC Tel Aviv Regional.
She is also a member of the 2013 Conrad Spirit of Innovation team, "CRM Shielding" which developed material that may provide radiation protection for a future manned mission to Mars. She is listed on the patent of this product. For the past two years, Milana served as captain of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Science Bowl. She is currently enrolled in six advance placement classes.
Intel Science Talent Search finalists will be announced on January 22, 2014. Finalist prizes include substantial scholarship funds, an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and an opportunity to meet with government officials, including the president or vice president of the United States.
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