It’s a Tie! Two Students Will Send Their DNA Experiments to Space

Genes in Space winners Elizabeth Reizis and Sophia Chen pose with astronauts Soichi Noguchi, Kate Rubins, and Samantha Cristoforetti, as well as Mark Mulqueen, ISS Program Manager for Boeing.

Genes in Space winners Elizabeth Reizis and Sophia Chen pose with astronauts Soichi Noguchi, Kate Rubins, and Samantha Cristoforetti, as well as Mark Mulqueen, ISS Program Manager for Boeing.

Genes in Space, a STEM competition for grades 7-12, announces its winners every year at the ISS Research and Development Conference. This year there was an unprecedented tie! Sophia Chen from Washington and Elizabeth Reizis from New York, both age 14, will send their DNA experiments to the International Space Station (ISS).

High school students Elizabeth Reizis (left) and Sophia Chen tied for first place in the 2017 Genes in Space competition.

High school students Elizabeth Reizis (left) and Sophia Chen tied for first place in the 2017 Genes in Space competition.

Media Credit: CASIS

Five finalist teams presented their proposals at the conference to a panel of judges including scientists, educators, and technologists. The five finalists’ schools receive miniPCR DNA Discovery Systems consisting of a miniPCR machine and a blueGel electrophoresis system.

Sophia Chen from Lakeside School, Washington, aims to measure cancer-inducing genomic instability in astronauts using miniPCR technology. She was mentored by her ninth-grade teacher David Joneschild.

Elizabeth Reizis from Stuyvesant High School, New York, wants to assess the effects of microgravity on the differentiation of immune system cells. She was mentored by MƒA Master Teacher Jessica Quenzer.

The next Genes in Space competition will be announced in Spring 2018.