Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today congratulated Wallingford resident and Choate Rosemary Hall senior Aditya Rajogopalan for being named one of 40 finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search 2009 competition, a program of the Society for the Science and the Public.  Aditya’s research project focused on Modeling Synergistic Cellulolytic-Hemicellulolytic Enzyme Complexes for Lignocellulosic Hydrolysis.

“Being named a finalist in this prestigious competition recognizes not only Aditya’s strong research skills but also the quality of education he has received as a student at Choate Rosemary Hall,” Dodd said. “His outstanding accomplishment serves as just one example of the impressive work produced by students in Connecticut. I am so proud of him for being named a finalist and I am eager to see how he fares in the final competition.”

As a finalist, Aditya will travel to Washington, D.C. in March to attend the weeklong Science Talent Institute where he will present his research project to the general public and members of the scientific community and meet with government leaders. He will be vying to win over $1 million in awards, ranging from $5,000 scholarship grants and laptop computers for all finalists to the grand prize of a $100,000 college scholarship.

The Science Talent Search is the oldest science research competition for high school seniors. The competition provides a stage for young scientists to present original research to nationally recognized scientists.

Several other Connecticut residents were chosen as semifinalists in the Science Talent Search, including Priya Gautam Ranade of East Lyme, Fiona Winifred Wood of North Haven, Stephanie Choi of Wallingford and Rebecca Louisa Fine of Weston.

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