Jack Andraka invented a test for pancreatic cancer that is 100 times more sensitive, 28 times cheaper, and has a 90% accuracy rate. OH yeah, and he’s only 15.
Jack is the 2012 winner of the Gordan E. Moore award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. He beat out over 1,500 students from 70 countries to claim the award. But before he won that prestigious award for his groundbreaking cancer research he faced many obstacles, not the least of which was being taken seriously by other scientists.
In this fantastic two minute ad for Intel, Jack tells some more of his story. In the ad’s voiceover he says:
But what did I know? I was too young to understand things like cancer or how to test for it… One hundred and ninety-nine experts told me that I was too young—that they didn’t have time for my little science fair project.
Well Jack, and his “little science fair project,” proved them all wrong.
Intel’s statement at the end says far different stats than you posted in your title? Is that on purpose?
Great discovery though
While this certainly is the kind of story -little guy gets doubted and overlooked by the establishment and shocks the world-there is a tendency to overplay the significance of the accomplishment.Taking nothing away from what this youngman did,he is still just 15 years old and has the brain development of a young teenager who needs the guidance of older,wiser adults.Nonetheless,bravo to the kid for not being discouraged by the naysayers.