University of North Texas

The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science led the nation in the 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology. TAMS had five regional finalists and 14 semifinalists, more than any other school in the nation.

The Siemens Competition is the nation’s leading original research competition in math, science and technology for high school students. The contest awards college scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 in individual and team categories. TAMS is a unique, two-year residential program for high school-aged Texas students who are gifted in math and science.

Siemens regional finalists receive a $1,000 scholarship and advance to the Region Two competition, which will be Nov. 11-12 at the University of Texas at Austin. Regional winners receive a $3,000 scholarship and advance to the National Finals at George Washington University Dec. 1-5  to compete for the $100,000 grand prize.

In 2008, TAMS student Wen Chyan won the national contest and the $100,000 that accompanies it. Eight other TAMS students have advanced to the national competition.

This year’s regional finalists from TAMS are:

• Favyen Bastani, of Plano, worked with Yan Huang, associate professor of computer science and engineering  
• Kevin Chang, of Plano, worked with Edward Early, assistant professor of mathematics at St. Edward's University
• Kevin Chen, of Plano, worked with Xiaotu Ma, a research scientist at the University of Texas at Dallas
• Alex Hong, of Allen, worked with Xiaotu Ma, a research scientist at the University of Texas at Dallas
• Helen Xiong, of Allen, worked with Alex Cook, a graduate student at the University of Texas at Dallas

TAMS students who were named 2011 semifinalists are:

• David Chi, of Lewisville, worked with Zhi-Ping Liu, assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• Angela Chin, of Stafford, worked with Teresa Golden, an associate professor of chemistry at UNT
• Vicky Chou, of Dallas, worked with Bill Acree, professor of chemistry at UNT
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• David Hao, of Plano, worked with Jannon Fuchs, professor of biology at UNT
• William Huang, of Plano, worked with Jannon Fuchs, professor of biology at UNT
• Yang (Melody) Jiang, of Plano, worked with Arnold M. Guloy, a professor of chemistry at the University of Houston
• Malina Patel, of Richardson, worked with David A. Boothman, professor at the
  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
• Mitchell Powell, of Plano, worked with Angela Wilson, Regents professor of chemistry at UNT
• George Qi, of Austin, worked with Gary Beall, professor of chemistry at Texas State University
• Amanda Quay, of Austin, worked with Bill Acree, professor of chemistry at UNT
• Adam Su, of Katy, worked with Benjamin Iriarte Giraldo, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Shan Su, of Amarillo, worked with  Arnold M. Guloy, professor of chemistry at the University of Houston
• Michael Zhou, of Stafford, worked with  Angela Wilson, Regents professor of chemistry at UNT
• Jonathan Zhu, of Plano, worked with Angela Wilson, Regents professor of chemistry at UNT

- Alyssa Yancey, News Promotions