Adam Akkad

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Three young people from around the world discuss their projects in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair. Watch »

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More than 1,500 very bright kids from 47 countries are in the Duke City to compete for $4 million in scholarships and prizes and have a week of science fun at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

The Tribune met with five of them from our hometown to see what it's all about.

See what they said today through Friday.

Name: Adam Akkad

Age: 16

School: Albuquerque Academy

Grade: Sophomore

Title of project: "A Study on the Effect of Black Seed (Nigella Sativa) and its Main Constituent Thymoquinone on the Viability, Proliferation and Migration of Human Epithelial Cells in an Infected Wound."

Say that in English: I looked at black seed, the fruit of an herbal plant in the Middle East and Asia. It's known for its immune-boosting properties. I looked into an aspect that hasn't been researched much - its antibacterial properties. I found it and its major constituents killed bacteria at very low concentrations. I looked at how it affects skin cells for an overall goal of developing a topical lotion for infected wounds.

Favorite area of science: Biology

What's cool about that area: It's the study of pretty much everything. Everything in our world goes back to biology and how it operates. It clicks with me.

Best way to blow off steam: Listening to music in my room or reading. I listen to anything that sounds good - except country.

Favorite brain food: Hot milk with sugar. Late nights when I stay up, that's what I drink and it keeps me up.

Scientist role model: Stephen Hawking

If you could ask that role model one thing, what would it be: What gives him his motivation to strive and work as hard as he does? How does he do such a good job with all the struggles he faces?

Dream job: To be a neurosurgeon. Neurobiology has always interested me. It's a part of the body that I'm intrigued with how it works. It controls your emotions, pain and how your body feels, and how you react to certain things.