Whiz Kid: Thidar Khine

Whiz Kid’s Age: 18

Whiz Kid’s School: Niles West High School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment:  Thidar has spent much of her senior year conducting research as a student in the STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Research and Inquiry class. She was paired up with Northwestern University mentors Taiyang Liang and Jonathan Freaney; her project: studying the effects of capsaicin (a pepper extract) on cancer cells. She also participated in the regional Illinois Junior Academy of Science Fair with this project.

In April, Thidar received a $3,000 Dollars for Scholars college scholarship from the Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry; she will be attending Northwestern University in Evanston this fall.

Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness:  She balances her interest in science with altruistic activities.  As treasurer of Niles West’s Council for Exceptional Children organization, she helped plan fundraisers and events that raised money for special needs kids. She was secretary of the National Honor Society, which helped raise funds for the blind and deaf with blood drives and other events. And in April, with her friend, fellow senior Erica Mui, Thidar organized an event, “1 Wish, 1000 Cranes,” in which more than $1000 was raised to aid American Red Cross Japanese relief efforts.

She plans to study biology at NU; while her specific career path is as-yet undecided, she “definitely” wants to participate in a science mentoring program.