66th Annual STS (2006-2007)
Finalists
Hermain Suhail Khan

NEW YORK
Hermain Suhail Khan, 17, of Staten Island, used electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques coupled with iron-uptake experiments to determine the age of fossilized crocodylian teeth from India for his earth and planetary science Intel Science Talent Search project. ESR is difficult to use on fossilized teeth because they contain iron, which interferes with ESR data. Hermain found a way to date the teeth, using ESR, by subtracting a pure iron signal from the signal in the teeth. He believes the remaining signal provides reliable age information. His work has already generated two conference publications. Hermain, who hopes to enter Harvard, attends Staten Island Technical High School, where he enjoys running, birdwatching, playing the violin and tennis. The son of Shahid and Rehana Khan, he wrote a play, performed off-Broadway last June, based on his mother's move to the U.S. and her struggle to raise five children and adapt to American life. Founder of a non-profit group, Muslims United, Hermain spearheaded fund-raising efforts in the school and community for earthquake relief in his native Pakistan, raising $6,000.