Newtown Teen Receives Prestigious Award for Science Project

A local teen has received a prestigious academic award and a $25,000 scholarship to go with it.  

Newtown resident and Lawrenceville School student Aashna Mago, 17, received the Davidson Fellows Scholarship for extraordinary achievement in science for her project “A Novel EZH2 Histone Methyltransferase Inhibitor: Potential Advancement in Epigenetic Cancer Therapy.”

Mago accepted the award Friday in Washington D.C. Friday, where she was congratulated by Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.

“It was an honor to meet with Congressman Fitzpatrick here in Washington D.C.,” said Mago. “I am excited and grateful to learn that he supports funding for STEM education and strengthening the education system in general.”

“Students like Aashna continue to make me proud to represent Bucks and Montgomery Counties in Congress and let me know our next generation is already building future cures for diseases,” Fitzpatrick said. “As a strong supporter of STEM education, instances like Aashna’s demonstrate why we must ensure schools and students are preparing for the careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics."

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship program offers scholarships for those who have created significant projects that have the potential to benefit society in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship has provided more than $5.3 million in scholarship funds since its inception in 2001, and has been named one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships by U.S. News & World Report.

“The Davidson Institute is built on the belief that individuals, who have extraordinary intelligence and talents, when encouraged and supported, can improve the quality of life for us all,” said Bob Davidson, co-founder of the Davidson Institute. “We are delighted to recognize this group of resourceful and distinguished young people for their fascinating projects – projects that have the potential to benefit society.”