| Biography |
|---|
| Hey, I’m Mikaela Preston from Toronto. This year, as in previous years, my project is focused on renewable fuel. Next year I am off to the University of Pennsylvania to study energy research and continue to help make sustainability a reality. I’m sad to be experiencing my final science fair but honoured to have been a part of such an amazing group of people for the past 5 years. I’ve always known I wanted to be a scientist, except during the phase where I wanted to be a horse racer despite never having ridden a horse… But I digress. Next year and for the rest of my life, science fairs will remain in my heart. I admit it, I’m a bit of a science nerd, but hey, what’s life without passion? The passion that sums me up isn’t only science. I love martial arts, snowboarding, Green Day, chocolate, and sparkly shoes, but the guiding source of inspiration for me is always the pure awe and beauty of this incredible universe we share a brief moment of time in. And as Richard Feynman said, “We are atoms with consciousness, matter with curiosity.” I wish to make the most of my curiosity. |
| Mikaela Preston
Co-Cultivation of Purple Non-Sulfur Bacteria and Yeast for Biofuel Production
| Challenge: | Energy | | Category: | Senior | | Region: | York | | City: | Markham, ON | | School: | Havergal College | | Abstract: | Acetic acid is a common inhibitor of the enzymatic-hydrolysis of lignocellulosic waste-products into bioethanol by yeast. Purple non-sulfur bacteria can consume acetic acid and produce hydrogen, another biofuel. In this project, these two organisms were co-cultured to remove acetic acid inhibition, increase ethanol production, and co-synthesize two valuable biofuels. When the yeast was cultured with the bacteria, ethanol production rose by up to 68%. |
| Awards | Value | The Manning Innovation Achievement Award
Sponsor: Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation | $500.00 | Renewable Energy Award
Senior
Sponsor: Ontario Power Generation | $1 000.00 | Challenge Award - Energy
Senior
Sponsor: Youth Science Canada | $1 000.00 | Excellence Award - Senior
Gold Medal
Sponsor: Youth Science Canada | $700.00 | Dalhousie University Faculty of Science Entrance Scholarship
Senior Gold Medallist - $5000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Dalhousie University, Faculty of Science | $5 000.00 | UBC Science (Vancouver) Entrance Award
Senior Gold Medallist - $4000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: The University of British Columbia (Vancouver) | $4 000.00 | University of Manitoba Entrance Scholarship
Senior Gold Medallist - $5000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Manitoba | $5 000.00 | University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship
Senior Gold Medallist - $4,000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Ottawa | $4 000.00 | Western University Scholarship
Gold Medallist - $4000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Western University | $4 000.00 | University of Windsor Entrance Scholarship
Senior Challenge Award Recipient - $2000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Windsor | $2 000.00 | | Total | $27 200.00 | |
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