By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
WHEN it comes to science, 17-year-old Adrian Hindes is in his element. Born in El Salvador, the Good Shepherd student took a keen interest in science and technology when he moved to Australia at the age of five.
“I’ve always been interested in science, from when I was really young,” Adrian said.
“I was always curious, and on my seventh or eighth birthday I was given a microscope, which I absolutely loved and I began looking around for things to put under it.
“School science was always interesting for me, I guess I was always a nerd,” he laughed.
“While most of my classmates found it boring, I would always go above and beyond with school science projects, and love getting experiment kits – one with sulphur stunk out the house.”
Throughout high school, the Good Shepherd student has continued his love for science, always exceeding expectations.
In Year 10, Adrian was indeed so far ahead of his classmates that he participated in an alternative science program for the gifted and talented.
In January this year, Adrian was one of 400 young Australians who attended the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF).
Adrian’s most notable achievement to date, is however, his recent selection for arguably one of the most prestigious program available; the Research Science Institute Summer School (RSI), held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.
One of only two students chosen for this remarkable opportunity, Adrian will travel to RSI in June this year and complete a six-week program at the university.The heart of the program is the five-week long internship, where students conduct cutting edge research projects under the tutelage of some of the most experienced and well-versed mentors in their field.
Adrian’s project will either be on plasma physics or nano materials, two areas in which he has great interest.
For Adrian, whose ambition is to be one of the scientists to develop nuclear fusion as an alternate source of energy, this opportunity will create amazing networks and opportunities.
“It’s a mind-blowing opportunity,” Adrian said.
“My dream has always been to do real scientific research, but having the chance to do so at one of the world’s top universities is just something else.”
Once Adrian completes his final year of highschool, he hopes to study physics at university. Ultimately, the ambitious youth would like to work for ITER, a large-scale scientific experiment intended to prove the viability of fusion as an energy source, and to collect the data necessary for the design and subsequent operation of the first electricity-producing fusion power plant.
To help Adrian achieve his dreams, sponsorship funding or donations from individuals, local businesses and Rotary clubs to cover travel costs for his upcoming internship would be greatly welcomed.
Visit www.gofundme.com/adriantoboston or contact Adrian at adrian@soulspace.com.au. Donations above $2 are tax-deductible.
