| Biographies |
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| Zachary - Hi, my name is Zachary Trefler. I am 16 years old, in grade 11 at Waterloo C.I. in southern Ontario. I am mainly interested in physics and computer science, but all sciences fascinate me (University will mean tough decisions). Besides science, I am reading books constantly, as well as running, wood-carving and kite-flying. I also talk to people sometimes. My project, NeurAlgae, was a collaboration between my own ideas regarding artificial neural networks and my friend Atif Mahmud's experiences with an algal boom in BC. Using a neural network, we can predict algal blooms, with a model accurate yet general enough for public use. We are continuing to improve the implementation of our model, and we are also looking into other uses for artificial neural networks in other areas. To other students doing science fair projects, I would advise you to simply try to learn more about whatever you are curious about. Work hard, work smart, and don't stop! | | Atif - The one thing that I'm most passionate about is the power of questions, and not only the use of them to empower myself, but the use of questions to empower those around me. I am an ambitious high school student raised in Waterloo, Ontario and I have been fortunate enough to watch tech startups rise and fall around me. From these experiences I've developed an understanding of the reality of the business world and the value of asking the right questions. From a young age I've always been fond of using travel as a tool to expand your horizons by looking at the lessons of the past. Anthropology and culture has been something that has always intrigued me. I'm glad that I've been so lucky as to be able to have traveled to so many beautiful and inspiring places in the world. These two passions of mine wouldn't have been possible without my love for science. Asking the right questions and experiencing the world are so important in modern science; because what are scientists but the dutiful servants of progression. By exposing oneself to new horizons and being curious we can all be better scientists, and more importantly better people. |
| Zachary Trefler, Atif Mahmud
NeurAlgae: A Novel Approach to Harmful Algal Bloom Prediction
| Challenge: | Information | | Category: | Senior | | Region: | Waterloo-Wellington | | City: | Waterloo, ON, Kitchener, ON | | School: | Waterloo Collegiate Institute | | Abstract: | Harmful algal blooms (HABs), sudden, rapid growths of algae in water bodies, pose an increasing threat in modern society. The effects on surrounding ecosystems due to oxygen depletion and toxin generation create large ecological and socioeconomic problems. Predicting HABs is useful, but modern methods can be lacking. We propose an Artificial Neural Network to predict HABs which improves upon prior methods in generalization and accuracy. |
| Awards | Value | Excellence Award - Senior
Silver Medal
Sponsor: Youth Science Canada | | Dalhousie University Faculty of Science Entrance Scholarship
Senior Silver Medallist - $2500 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Dalhousie University, Faculty of Science | $2 500.00 | UBC Science (Vancouver) Entrance Award
Senior Silver Medallist - $2000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: The University of British Columbia (Vancouver) | $2 000.00 | University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship
Senior Silver Medallist - $2000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Ottawa | $2 000.00 | Western University Scholarship
Silver Medallist - $2000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Western University | $2 000.00 | | Total | $8 500.00 | |
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