64th Annual STS (2004-2005)
Finalists
Ailish Elizabeth Bateman

NEW YORK
Ailish Elizabeth Bateman, 17, of Sag Harbor, isolated and determined the structure of a novel antibiotic compound extracted from a beech tree fungus, Scorias spongiosa, commonly called sooty mold, for her Intel Science Talent Search project in chemistry. Ailish's demonstration - that the new isolated compound was effective in inhibiting the growth of several Gram-positive bacteria - could potentially lead to its use to successfully treat diseases. She determined the molecular structure of the new antibiotic compound, called scoriosin, using mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, correlation spectroscopy and infrared techniques. She then purified the compound using normal phase column chromatography. Her results are being prepared for scientific journal publication. Ailish is first in her class of 54 at Pierson High School, where she serves as president of the French club, editor of Folio, a student-written section of the community newspaper, and is on the varsity Quizbowl trivia team. She also enjoys rollerblading and graphic design. After completing her university studies, Ailish hopes to pursue a career in scientific research. She is the daughter of Charles and Roisin Bateman.