Teen Genius Helps Fight Cancer

Photo from Daily Herald/Rick Majewski

A Naperville teenager is using his brains to help fight cancer.  There's a great article in the Daily Herald about 17-year-old Nolan Maloney.

Maloney is about to be a senior at Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) and his name is already listed on an important research paper to help find a cure for a rare kind of cancer. 

He's been working with adults to research a type of cancer called neurblastoma, which impacts the nervous system.  A research paper was presented to the American Assocation for Cancer Research on the topic in April, and the teens name was on it.

It's so great to hear about a young person using their talents to help others.  And on top of it all, teachers and administrators say the kid who has 44 science medals is kind and doesn't let the success go to his head. 

Here's what the President of IMSA told the Daily Herald about Nolan:  

"He has a rare combination of extraordinary intellect and capacity to learn, combined with humility and sense of wonder and awe of the larger world. I think those characteristics will continue to make him a scientist and have a career that really will make our world a better place."

Check out the full article about Maloney in the Daily Herald: Naperville teen among nation's top chemistry students