Katherine Dai

Katherine Dai, a 17-year–old Chinese American, recently won a Presidential Scholar Award for her study on the effect of enzymes on lung cancer, and will continue her research at Yale University later this year.
Dai previously studied at Bogan Academy for Medical Science Technology for her high school, based in New Jersey. Neither of her parents are scientists, but she showed a talent for the subject early on.
She was also semifinalist of the Regeneron Science Talent Search Competition and won a separate prize for her work on the subject.
Her further research opened up new directions, and was applied to a brand new lung cancer treatment drug which earned public attention.
In contrast to most others who conduct research at universities or professional laboratories, she carried out all her studies in her own high school.
"The Presidential Scholar Award is the best affirmation of my efforts. I am grateful to my high school, family and mentor Donna Leonardi for their support," said Dai.
Although her mother’s family has been doctors for generations, her great-grandmother died of cancer which left a deep impression in Dai’s heart.
Therefore, after entering high school, she began to explore cancer treatment.
"I have the courage to try because doing scientific research is taking the road that people have never tried before," Dai said.
She said it was the At-Large BioGENEius Challenge that leads to a qualitative change in her research.
"From participating in basic scientific research to trying out clinical research and discussing with new drug development experts, I also expected to further my study in the future," said Dai.
She has a wide range of hobbies. "I went to Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou with my parents. They introduced cultural customs to me. I also like Chinese food very much and I am so proud of my Chinese background," Dai said.