Hanes Student Chosen as National Semi-Finalist for Science Fair Project

Sofia Pauca

Sofia Pauca, an eighth-grader at Hanes Middle School, has been selected as one of 300 national semi-finalists in the Broadcom National Science Fair Competition.

At the 2012 N.C. Science and Engineering Fair, held at Meredith College in March, Sofia was awarded first place in Junior Biological Science B and also received a special Broadcom Masters award. Her project was called “Autism in Flies Year 2: Testing a Medication for Autism - Effects of MPEP on Repetitive Grooming Behaviors of 2 copy and stubby 1 copy Dfmr1 Mutants in Drosophila Melanogaster.”

Sofia said that she was excited by the honor. “I’m really grateful for all the support my parents and teachers and friends have given me,” she said. “When I grow up I want to be a geneticist. I really enjoy helping people.”

She traces the desire to become a geneticist to wanting to help people such as her 7-year-old brother, Victor, who has Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome. He goes to the Children’s Center.  

One of the lessons she has learned from him is “Choose to be better not bitter about hard things that come your way.”

Sofia’s mother, Theresa, said, “We’re very proud of her.”

Sofia also has a sister, Francesca, who is a fifth-grader at Brunson. Her father is Paul Pauca.

The 30 national finalists will be announced on Aug. 29. If Sofia become a national finalist, she will be invited to Washington in September. “We are hopeful that she will make it to that level,” Theresa Pauca said.

More information about Broadcom competition is available at Broadcom