Jackson Weaver

When Jackson Weaver was growing up in New Jersey, he was fascinated by science, specifically dinosaurs and other animals. His passion for science has led him into the area where physics and biology intersect, and he plans to devote his future to scientific research.
As a kid, he spent his weekends visiting the American Museum of Natural History, marveling at the skeletons. 

His interests shifted within science and math after he entered high school at the magnet school, McNair Academy in Jersey City. “I was specifically interested in physics and chemistry, he says. “My interests transcended the classroom, as I was asked in health ‘how many calories are in a pound?’ I responded with ‘977 trillion calories,’ which I found by using Einstein's famous equation E=mc2.

In Jackson’s project for Regeron, "The Electrifying Speed of Enzymes,” he combined what he learned in biology and physics -- using electricity to increase the rate at which peroxidase (an enzyme) breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.  Further research in this area could help develop new medical therapies in the future.

One of his science teachers said, “I am so very impressed with how he extended his work that began with an AP Biology experiment and developed into a novel research investigation. Jackson’s research demonstrates that with a creative mind and a strong intellect you don’t always have to work with a PhD scientist or in a university lab to perform authentic research.” 
Outside of Science, Jackson is the captain of his school’s varsity soccer team, vice president of the Model UN club, and an avid amateur ping pong player. He is a member of the National Honor's Society and the Epsilon math club. 

Currently finishing his senior year, Jackson is heading to Harvard University next year, where he will be studying physics.