NORTH ATTLEBORO - Any question whether North Attleboro High would continue to be a science fair powerhouse after the retirement of longtime mentor David Vito have been answered with a resounding yes.

The school collected five out of the eight first-place awards in the regional science fair last month.

With the guidance of advisers Tara Bennett, Cathy Cavedon and Matt Salmond, 12 students racked up awards for science fair projects, ranging from studies of chemicals in processed foods to the use of snail slime as a repellant.

They will be competing in the state science fair in May.

Freshman Mary Lou Hedberg found inspiration for her first-place project "Cave Prescriptions?" during a visit to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. She wondered if any of the microorganisms had antibacterial properties, and did some spelunking in New York to collect her organisms to test. "I was sloshing around in really cold water to collect the organisms," Hedberg recalled.

During her research, Hedberg found five different antibacterial organisms that she has sent to microbiologists for further testing.

"Who knows, maybe I could have a medicine named after me one day," she said.

Hedberg, who had the highest scoring project at the regional fair, will serve as the region's representative to the International Science and Engineering Fair in May. She received the Tom Cahill award of $250 for the highest scoring project.

In addition to the first-place award, Hedberg received a the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Distinguished Achievement Award of a $50 gift certificate and medallion, the Eileen T. Farley Science writing award of $50, the New England branch of the American Society for Microbiology award of $50 for an outstanding microbiology project.

Junior Thomas Howard studied nitrosamines, a group of chemicals used in processed foods, which he introduced to brain cells in his project, "Nitrosamines and DNA Damage."

"I found some molecular changes that are associated with decreased brain function," he said. "I enjoy science fair because it's really rewarding to see the results of your project."

Rewarding indeed, as Howard walked away with a $20,000 scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for the project that best demonstrated scientific ingenuity. He also received the James Pelletier Award of $200 and was selected as the alternate delegate for the International Science Fair.

A project "Combining Skin Protection with Fashion" earned freshman Shweta Kichloo a first-place award. Kichloo studied the use of photochromic dyes to help protect against harmful ultraviolet rays. The clothing would become darker in the sunshine - much like Transitions brand eyeglasses - making a unique fashion statement, as well as providing protection from skin cancer.

Kichloo won the Carol Desroches, RN Memorial Award of $50 for the best project on cancer or a related field and the Genzyme Corp. Distinguished Achievement Award of $250 for outstanding biotechnology or life science project. Sophomore Rachel Martin took a look at "The influence of Wolbachia on gender ratios in Drosophila" for her first-place project.

"I studied Wolbachia, which is a bacteria that feminizes the population," explained Martin, a sophomore. "I mated drosophila and found there were 100 percent more females."

Martin said the project has real-world implications because it pairs with research into gender-based diseases, such as malaria.

"I wanted to do something different that not a lot of people had studied before," Martin said. "I like science fair because it gives me a good opportunity to meet new people."

Joseph Marino took home a first-place award for his study of sails and how size and shape affects the amount of force created.

Marino also won the ASM Material Education Foundation award for most outstanding exhibit in materials science and the UMD Physics Alumni Council for the Physics Department Award and the Intel Excellence in Computer Science Award of $200.

Other students who brought home awards were:

Kevin Fernandes, second place, for "How does ultraviolet light affect the growth of bacteria?"

Kathryn Czepiel, third place, for "How antioxidants affect mitosis in A. cepa roots." She also won the U.S. Public Health Service Surgeon General's award for an outstanding project that promotes healthy lifestyles.

Abigail Glennon, third place, for "Why is peanut butter such an effective adhesive remover?" She also won the Bad Dog Tools Originality Award of $50 for the project with the most original idea.

Catherine Hargrave and Emily Hickey, third place for "The effects of carbon dioxide on common philodendron plants." They also won the Taking the Pulse of the Planet award for the research that best demonstrated an improved understanding of the Earth's dynamic process.

Nicholas Howard, third place, "Vitamin C's effect on Arabidopsis' growth"

Austin Rainville, third place, "What is the effect of snail slime as a repellent?"

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.