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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:26 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:26:18 GMT
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow.
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:39 GMT
An ugly business stained with sex, drugs and violence is exploding on the Internet. It's called sex trafficking, and it happens right here in our area.
An ugly business stained with sex, drugs and violence is exploding on the Internet. It's called sex trafficking, and it happens right here in our area.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:07:00 GMT
A woman says she got kicked out of a Montgomery County mall for wearing a cancer-awareness hat. But it's the language, not the message, that got her into trouble.
A woman says she got kicked out of a Montgomery County mall for wearing a cancer-awareness hat. But it's the language, not the message, that got her into trouble.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:20:18 GMT
Mike Kersten and his wife Lisa of Croydon, Lower Bucks County opened their front door over the weekend only to find police telling them to stay inside. A large black bear was spotted climbing one of
A black bear seen in Bucks County is still the talk of the area for residents.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:27 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:27:47 GMT
A century-old community staple in Cherry Hill was up for auction Monday. The Woodcrest Country Club has experienced some financial problems recently, and after efforts from the township and the Freeholders
Cherry Hill's Woodcrest Country Club went up for auction Monday, with a pending sale in place after an offer from a Marlton-based developer.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:13 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:13:26 GMT
The family of the 5-year-old kindergartner abducted in broad daylight from her Philadelphia school is now planning on suing the city and the school district.
The family of the 5-year-old kindergartner abducted in broad daylight from her Philadelphia school is now planning on suing the city and the school district.
Lijia Xie has spent the last two summers working in a Doylestown lab with his mentor, Dr. Ying Hsiu Su.
