LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Preya Shah, a senior at Ward
Melville High School, upon the occasion of earning 8th Place in the
prestigious Intel Science Talent Search

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with
its long-standing traditions, to honor the youth of today, and leaders
of tomorrow, whose character and achievements exemplify the ideals and
values cherished by this great State and nation; and
WHEREAS, Preya Shah, a 17-year-old student at Ward Melville High
School, has distinguished herself as a young woman of exceptional abili-
ty, talent and maturity, establishing standards of excellence and
achievement rarely attained in youthful years; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to honor Preya Shah, of
Setauket, New York, upon the occasion of earning 8th Place and a $20,000
scholarship in the 2009 Intel Science Talent Search, one of the most
prestigious and competitive advanced science research contests for high
school students in the country; and
WHEREAS, For her project, entitled "Combating Cancer: Design and
Synthesis of Dual-Warhead Tumor-Targeting Drug Conjugates," Preya Shah
designed a synthetic drug to treat drug-resistant tumors through two
chemical agents that attack cancers on different fronts; the drug also
uses a vitamin consumed in large amounts by cancer cells to guide canc-
er-killing agents to their target while avoiding healthy tissue; and
WHEREAS, In earning this high honor Preya Shah has brought great pride
to her family, friends, school and community and may be justly proud
that her prize-winning project may well offer a new delivery approach
for chemotherapy agents and treatment of multi-drug resistant cancer
without causing side effects; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 66 years, the Science Talent Search, sponsored
by Intel since 1998, has produced winners of more than 100 of the
world's most coveted academic honors, including six former finalists who
have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, while others have earned the Fields
Medal, the National Medal of Science, and MacArthur Foundation and Sloan
Research Fellowships; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing the value of her high school experience, as well
as the results of her dedicated labor, Preya Shah now stands with poise
and purpose to face the challenge of new experiences, appreciative of
the support and guidance of her family, friends and teachers; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Preya Shah upon the occasion of earning 8th Place in the
2009 Intel Science Talent Search and to wish her well in all her future
endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Preya Shah.