64th Annual STS (2004-2005)
Finalists
June-Ho Kim

CALIFORNIA
June-Ho Kim, 17, of Cupertino, studied the ability of antibodies to reduce the symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS) for his Intel Science Talent Search project in medicine and health. In MS, the body's T cells use molecules CD44 and ALPHA4BETA1 to infiltrate the central nervous system and attack neurons. Based on their ability to ameliorate EAE, June-Ho theorized that the antibodies anti-CD44 and anti-ALPHA4BETA1 would inhibit the proliferation of T cells and suppress secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine. Among his findings was that anti-CD44 promoted secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and must be inhibiting EAE through a yet unknown mechanism. June-Ho hopes to study biochemical science at Harvard and become an MD. He is on the debate team and co-president of the Future Physicians of America Club at Monta Vista High School. An accomplished pianist, June-Ho is a founding member of both the Perfect 5th Ensemble and the Appassionato Club, which entertains senior citizens, and he is Youth Committee co-chairman for the Santa Clara Valley Red Cross. June-Ho is the son of Dr. Youngbae and Jiyeon Kim.