TAMS student honored at White House ceremony

From a UNT News Service press release

Amelia Lin, a 2007 graduate of UNT's Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, was among 141 Presidential Scholars and recent high school graduates honored at a White House ceremony in June.

As a TAMS graduate, Lin, daughter of Lisan and Amy Lin of Plano, completed two years of college while earning her high school diploma. TAMS students enroll in the program following their sophomore year in high school, live in a UNT residence hall and complete about 60 hours of UNT classes. Students may finish a bachelor's degree at UNT or transfer; Lin will complete her degree at Harvard University.

While at TAMS, Lin conducted research in the laboratory of Zhibing Hu, Regents Professor of physics. Lin investigated the properties of carbon nanotubes, or hollow cylinders of carbon atoms that are only a few nanometers - one billionths of meters - in diameter. These nanotubes may be used in the future for drug delivery into individual human cells, targeted cancer treatment and other applications in the human body.

Lin's achievements also include:

• Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, one of 317 students planning careers in mathematics, science and engineering
• All-USA First High School Academic Team, selected by USA Today, nominated by a teacher or counselor for outstanding academic, artistic or leadership achievement
• 2006 Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science & Technology, regional finalist
• 2007 Intel Science Talent Search, semifinalist
• 2007 Fort Worth Regional Science Fair, grand prize
• Micron Science and Technology Scholars Program, scholarship
• National Merit Scholarships, finalist
• Phi Delta Kappa Prospective Educators, scholarship.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson to recognize some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Students are selected for their SAT or ACT scores, application essays, transcripts, leadership, character and commitment to high ideals. In 1979, the program also began selecting Presidential Scholars in the Arts, recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional talent in creative writing or in the visual and performing arts.

The 141 Presidential Scholars include one male and one female student from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and one male and one female student from U.S. families living abroad; and 15 at-large students and 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

UNT News Service Press Release
Nancy Kolsti can be reached at nkolsti@unt.edu.

Read other stories in this issue:

• President's Note
• Volunteer for Sunday Fun Day, get a free UNT T-shirt
• Moving Forward: UNT to train Thailand's university faculty
• UNT earns Digital Newspaper Program grant
• E-passport: Hong Kong/China course takes students abroad virtually
• UNT, Mean Green rank "Best in the Sun Belt"
• Faculty Focus: Bob Bland
• UNT Traditions: Eagle Claw
• Featured Link: UNT Undergraduate Viewbook
• Exes encourage you to attend a Summer Send-Off Party