Jan Gong, a junior at Garden City High School, was one of five students who received an Honorable Mention in the 1st Annual International Young Scientist Competition. The announcement of Jan’s award was released this summer after being selected by the judging panel in Europe for her submission, High Glucose Levels Alter Morphine Signaling Pathways: A Novel Pathway for Sugar Addition.

Jan is pictured here with science research teacher Dr. Steven Gordon and Garden City’s 6-12 Science Department Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Elena Cascio in front of a projected slide from her entry illustrating the up-regulation in the mu-opioid receptor. Jan’s abstract states, “Using a selective opioid receptor antagonist and a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, we determined that glucose activated the mu-opioid receptor. This study was the first to demonstrate that sugar has the ability to regulate mu-opioid receptor gene expression and induce significant cell damage and cell death by activating the nitric oxide synthase coupled mu-receptor through endogenous morphine signaling in human cells.” More simply put, Jan explains, “The fact that sugar can mediate the receptor shows that sugar can be addictive.”

Jan has achieved a perfect SAT score, a perfect score on the National Latin Exam for two consecutive years, was a 2009 USA Math Olympiad qualifier, and is captain of the high school fencing team.

For more information about the 1st Annual International Young Scientist Competition, visit: http://www.iysc.isl-

science.com/winners.php . Congratulations, Jan, on your outstanding scientific research achievement!