Lijia Xie hasn't even finished high school yet and already he's responsible for important research in the fight against cancer.
"I developed a urine test that detects liver cancer with 90 percent accuracy," said Xie.
The North Penn High School student has spent the last two summers working in a Doylestown lab with his mentor, Dr. Ying Hsiu Su. His mother's battle with breast cancer drove him to work extra hard on the cancer study.
"My mom was going through chemotherapy at the time so that made it more personal for me, I was driven to try and do something what little I could."
That little in his mind turned out to be very big. Lijia was a finalist in the Siemens competition in math, science, and technology and then he received a Davidson fellowship that includes $25,000 for college.
While his research is far from over and numerous clinical trials must be done before his test can be used on patients, Lijia is very grateful and optimistic about his data.
"I'm extremely blessed. I've been provided with a lot of opportunity to do what I can do."
There is more to Lijia than just math and science. He's also co-captain of his high school tennis team, he loves music and plays several instruments and - no surprise - he can also sing.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:27:11 GMT
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:10:26 GMT
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:43 GMT
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again. When Joseph Blaisse was looking for his final Eagle Scout project he thought of
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:49:28 GMT
Your Friday will feature steadier showers and thunderstorms early giving way to scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. We reach an early High of 64, followed by falling temperatures. Winds pick up out of the NW 10 to 15 mph. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks cool with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:03:32 GMT
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Lijia Xie has spent the last two summers working in a Doylestown lab with his mentor, Dr. Ying Hsiu Su.
