Success Stories
TAMS has launched the careers of over 2000 successful graduates. Below are profiles of a representative few.
Shinjita Das (Fort Worth). Shinjita left Paul Laurence Dunbar High School to come to TAMS. She played tennis and the violin and served a stint as a disc jockey at KNTU 88.1 She took first place in the 2003 Fort Worth Regional Science Fair, was named a National Merit Scholar and a 2003 Goldwater Scholar for her research, "Regulation of BDNF in RNA: Neuroprotective Potential of Progesterone in Alzheimer's." The Honors graduate was admitted to MIT
Abbey Elizabeth Fischer (Houston). Before becoming a TAMS honor student, Abbey Fischer was an honor student at Houston's Chester W. Nimitz High School. She brought her strong study habits and intellectual gifts to the Academy, and eagerly participated in the TAMS study-abroad program in Ireland and England, just after graduating with Honors. Ever a high-achiever, Abbey next enrolled at the University of Minnesota, completing her B.S. in chemistry two short years past TAMS on June 1, 1999. After entering holy matrimony in 2000, Abbey plunged once more into the breach of advanced study, and now awaits the Ph.D. at Minnesota.
Matthew Frank (Tyler). From Robert E. Lee High School, Matt’s wit and intelligence made him a class favorite, and in fact, as a senior he was voted "Mr. TAMS". Matt was treasurer of JETS and also involved with the Student Life Advisory Board. He won the coveted Caltech Book Award as a promising research scientist, completed all TAMS requirements with Honors. The Caltech award, presented each year on behalf of faculty from the California Institute of Technology to a TAMS student, is but one of many prestigious honors exclusive to the Academy. On July 1, 2002, Matt earned his B.S. degree in electrical engineering from MIT.
Maria Veronica Gonzalez (Corpus Christi). When Veronica heard a TAMS admissions representative speak in her city on February 5, 1996, she knew her days at Mary Carroll High School were numbered. Some nine months later, her TAMS application had been completed and mailed. A little over one year after attending the seminar, Veronica was admitted to TAMS on February 17, 1997.
Carroll's loss was clearly our gain, as Veronica presented impressive credentials indeed. She continued to shine at TAMS, and by the time she graduated with Honors, Veronica had become a National Merit Scholar, a National Hispanic Scholar, and a Presidential Scholar. Veronica earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Texas A&M just six weeks prior to early entry into the A&M Medical School.
Adam Horch (Willow Park). Adam attended Trinity Valley High School before entering TAMS. A 4.0 student throughout TAMS, he was one of 300 semifinalists nationally (10 from Texas, including 5 from TAMS) chosen from more than 1,500 applicants for the 2001 Intel Science Talent Search. Adam advanced to place ninth out of 40 finalists nationwide, and received a $20,000 scholarship, along with an invitation to the White House.
Adam was president and founder of the TAMS Robotics Club, and a member of the Junior Engineering Technical Society and Ambassadors. He volunteered at a hospital and at the Fort Worth Zoo aquarium, where he built filters and special parts for the tanks out of scrap metal. Following TAMS, the honors graduate enrolled at Rice University.
Erica James, M.D. (Wichita Falls). Erica left Burkburnett High School and compiled a perfect record at TAMS. She was named to the Dean's List and President's List (4.0 GPA) every semester, and graduated with Honors as both a National Merit Scholar and a National Achievement Scholar. Just two years after completing TAMS, Erica graduated from the University of Miami, and four years later completed its medical school, in spring 2004.
Robert Charles Kirby, Ph.D. (Burleson). Burleson High School teachers touted Robert as bright and talented, with an "unquenchable" desire to learn. Such praise won him admission to TAMS where his dedication and commitment became evident to all. Following a noteworthy career at TAMS, Robert completed his undergraduate degree at Texas Tech (where he met his wife, Kara), then earned his Ph. D. from the University of Texas. He then did post-doctoral work at the University of Chicago before accepting a tenure track position there. Today Dr. Kirby is a family man and a respected faculty member in computer science at Chicago with interests in numerical analysis.
Andrew Liu (Highland Village). Andrew was admitted to TAMS from St. Mark's School of Texas. At TAMS, he participated in the amateur radio club, astronomy club, and was a co-host on the Tamsi.net internet radio show. His 2003 Goldwater Scholarship is testimony to his research and academic prowess. A TAMS Honors graduate and Gold Cord recipient for community service, Andrew was admitted to Johns Hopkins University.
Carlos Andres Murillo, M.D. (El Paso). Carlos attended Cathedral High School in the city of the sun. A recommendation from his math teacher pronounced Carlos "programmed for success." Indeed. Carlos came to TAMS with dreams of becoming an aerospace engineer, but found the pursuit of medicine more rewarding. Following an outstanding career at the Academy, he completed undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin (May 1, 1996 -- a year almost to the day after finishing TAMS) and then enrolled in the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). A short 5 years after completing TAMS, Carlos was granted the M.D. degree from UTMB on May 1, 2000. Dr. Murillo is currently a surgical resident.
Andrea Runyan (Fort Worth). Before TAMS, Andrea was a standout at North Crowley High School, where she participated in band and religious activities. At the Academy, she maintained her superb academic record, becoming a National Semifinalist in the 2002 Siemens Westinghouse Science & Technology Competition, earning a Goldwater Scholarship, and graduating with Honors. Andrea enrolled at Stanford University to study biology and creative writing.
Alice Ting, Ph.D. (Dallas). Alice entered TAMS with ambitions of becoming a physician. "My ultimate career goal is to become a well-respected heart or neurological surgeon," she proclaimed on her application in May of 1990. Today, Alice is indeed a doctor, and certainly well-respected -- but as a chemist not physician. After breezing through TAMS as a top-notch scholar, Alice was equally impressive at Harvard, earning her undergraduate degree. She then whisked away to the University of California at Berkeley for her Ph.D. After post-graduate work at the University of California at San Diego, Alice was appointed assistant professor of chemistry at MIT in July 2002, still in her 20's. The Academy provided this gifted student with a crucial head-start on her career, the companionship of intellectual peers, and the freedom to pursue interests at her own whirlwind pace.
Ami S. Vasanawala, M.D. (Big Spring). Ami was district champion in UIL number sense and in science when she attended Big Spring High School. She also served on the student council, accomplishing much for her school and enjoying the respect and trust of her classmates. Ami demonstrated a high aptitude for mathematics and her test scores revealed great potential. At TAMS, Ami brought earnest motivation and sharp focus to her studies and extracurricular activities, such that she mastered the demanding curriculum with Honors. Ami was granted the B.S. degree in economics at MIT, and earned an M.D. at Johns Hopkins on May 1, 2003.