A six-week, overseas microbiological experiment to classify a unique, self-preserving bacterium; and a painstakingly measured account of local voting trends, spanning one and a half years of research, were selected by a panel of elite scientific experts as finalist entries from Syosset High School in the landmark 50th annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Senior Ian Yohai, whose voting study represents the social science category, and senior Vivek Singh, whose cellular project represents the microbiology division, will travel to Philadelphia, site of the original 1950 ISEF, from May 2-8, during which time their projects will be on display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. They will be competing against more than 1,200 students from several dozen countries for a first-place scholarship prize.

First place finishes at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair earlier this year made the two students eligible to compete in this most grandiose of forums, where amateur scientists have the rare chance to hobnob with Nobel Laureates. But even then it wasn't definite until their work was thoroughly examined once more. "They were judged by teams of specialists and it was only after this review process that they were deemed worthy," explained Angela Lukaszewski, director of Syosset's research program, a class which develops projects for the ISEF and other competitions.

Prior to becoming an ISEF finalist, Yohai had already earned acclaim for his project, "The Effectiveness and Necessity of Majority-Minority Voting Districts," after it earned him a place in the semifinals of the Intel Science Talent Search and Competition, formerly called the Westinghouse competition. This time, however, he's taken one step further.

Yohai's study was twofold. First, he determined, by studying New York State senatorial and assembly elections from 1990, 1992 and 1994, whether election districts that have been shaped to increase the likelihood of election of minority representatives, actually serve that function.

Secondly, Yohai sought to determine how often the voting patterns of white representatives whose districts have a modest-to-small percentage of minorities as residents, actually reflect those of the minority. In other words, said Yohai, "Do the members of minority populations need a minority legislator?"

After many months of researching election results, Yohai was able to solidify his hypothesis that districts with high minority populations were more inclined to vote for minority representatives, although, as a whole, that trend did not in every case lead to the election of the minority candidate.

Furthermore, after perusing through years of legislation votes, Yohai discovered, according to his abstract, that "voting patterns of representatives from districts that contain a minority population which is less than 40 percent of the total population differ significantly from the voting patterns of the minority block."

Yohai came up with his research concept, innocently enough, while playing around with his computer. "I came across something on the Internet," said Yohai. "[Then] I heard about different court cases, and it took off."

For those who thought the above sounded daunting and complex - that was the easier one to explain. For Singh's project, "The Phylogenetic Status of Anaerobacter Polyendosporus," the senior attempted to classify a cellular organism into its appropriate species, and identify familial links with related organisms.

"Scientists are continually finding new ways of classifying organisms," explained Singh. "Previously, they studied the external features...Then they studied cells and used biochemical methods." The most accurate approach that scientists have the technology to take is through DNA sequencing.

Through DNA research and phylogeny, the comparison of DNA between related organisms, Singh was able to determine that the bacteria Anaerobacter polyendosporus shared similar nucleotide sequences with four other species of bacteria. However, as suspected, the bacterium needs to be classified in its own genus, because it has a unique method of repeatedly subdividing to ensure its survival.

Usually when students delve into the micro-world of DNA research, students will bring their projects to Cold Spring Harbor laboratory, a nationally revered scientific complex, conveniently located only one town away from Syosset. Singh, however, resolved to go a little out of his way...to Russia.

Singh had learned of a Penn State University study program being held during the summer of 1998 at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and after much contemplation, he concluded that it was the perfect way to "fulfill my love for biology."

While abroad, "I developed a love for their language and culture" - so much so, in fact, that Singh is taking Russian as a foreign language course this year.

Helping Singh launch his project was a professor of genetics who was lecturing at the Russian Academy of Sciences and with whom Singh was able to share his fascination of the latest advancements in DNA research.

Singh and Yohai. They researched two entirely dissimilar fields of science. One underwent an intense five weeks of investigative work under a microscope. One scavenged, analyzed and interpreted documents for 18 months. They worked in opposite hemispheres. But their roads are to converge in Philadelphia, where they will proudly represent a school district which has proven once again why it is considered one of academic excellence.