ASMS Student Wins State Science Fair

Madeline Borchert is the first Mobilian to win the top prize at Alabama’s science fair. Borchert is a 17-year-old junior at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) in Mobile. In February, she won the top prize at the Mobile Regional Science Fair and progressed to compete in the Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF) at Auburn University. At ASEF, Borchert’s project, “Designing RNAi Pesticides to Specifically Target Invasive Species,” won the highest honor, “Best in Fair.” She is part of the ASMS Research Fellows Program and spent this past school year working on her research project under the guidance of Dr. Jeffrey DeMeis at the University of South Alabama and Asia Frey, ASMS research coordinator. In May, Borchert will progress to the next level, competing in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio, against thousands. ASMS will host its annual Spring Research Forum on campus on May 2. Students in the ASMS Research Fellows Program will present their research projects from this past school year. Local industries, businesses and leaders are invited to attend.