Teen recognized for research
By: Tricia Thompson, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: City
Some people make excitement contagious, and when talking about his upcoming weekend, Joe Weiner is one of them.
The East Chapel Hill High School senior uses hurried words and long, animated sentences to explain his plan to change the world, or at least the part of it affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare disease that results in extremely sensitive skin and blisters.
This weekend he will present his research on bandages used to treat EB patients at the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition in Washington, D.C.
He has been aware of the rare disease since the age of 4, when his mother and contest mentor Madeline Weiner began working with EB patients as a research nurse in 1995.
Joe wanted to help after hearing his mother talk on the phone with patients who couldn't afford the proper bandages for the disease.
"I saw my mom struggling to help these people and the people struggling to live," he said.
"I've always wanted to help, but it wasn't until the project that I had a genuine opportunity to open up my research."
Contestants had to focus on a question or problem involving epidemiology, gather data and show its significance regarding the question.
For his project entry, Joe compared silicon and regular bandages and determined that silicon bandages cause fewer infections.
Lower-income people are unable to afford the silicon bandages and, according to his research, have a higher rate of infection.
"Right now the bandages are just being donated instead of reimbursed," he said. "I would really like to see the step taken for insurance companies to reimburse patients."
While many of his classmates worked on science projects focusing on video games, stress and the HPV virus, Joe wanted to work on something that would have a immediate impact.
"He didn't understand why some patients could get the bandages and some couldn't," his mother said. "He wanted to find out if there was actually something tangible that patients could take to their insurance companies to provide reimbursement."
When his biology teacher, Judy Jones, presented the opportunity to enter the contest, Joe jumped on the opportunity to make a difference.
"I find him very curious and very interested," Jones said. "He will ask the question that you don't expect or make a connection with something that you don't expect. He has a way of looking at knowledge that is unique."
As a regional winner, Joe is competing this weekend for a final prize of $50,000 awarded to the top two contestants.
"The scholarship takes a back seat to my main goal of helping these people," Joe said. "It is something that I'm passionate about working on way after the competition.
"There will be many, many years of research to come."
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
The East Chapel Hill High School senior uses hurried words and long, animated sentences to explain his plan to change the world, or at least the part of it affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare disease that results in extremely sensitive skin and blisters.
This weekend he will present his research on bandages used to treat EB patients at the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition in Washington, D.C.
He has been aware of the rare disease since the age of 4, when his mother and contest mentor Madeline Weiner began working with EB patients as a research nurse in 1995.
Joe wanted to help after hearing his mother talk on the phone with patients who couldn't afford the proper bandages for the disease.
"I saw my mom struggling to help these people and the people struggling to live," he said.
"I've always wanted to help, but it wasn't until the project that I had a genuine opportunity to open up my research."
Contestants had to focus on a question or problem involving epidemiology, gather data and show its significance regarding the question.
For his project entry, Joe compared silicon and regular bandages and determined that silicon bandages cause fewer infections.
Lower-income people are unable to afford the silicon bandages and, according to his research, have a higher rate of infection.
"Right now the bandages are just being donated instead of reimbursed," he said. "I would really like to see the step taken for insurance companies to reimburse patients."
While many of his classmates worked on science projects focusing on video games, stress and the HPV virus, Joe wanted to work on something that would have a immediate impact.
"He didn't understand why some patients could get the bandages and some couldn't," his mother said. "He wanted to find out if there was actually something tangible that patients could take to their insurance companies to provide reimbursement."
When his biology teacher, Judy Jones, presented the opportunity to enter the contest, Joe jumped on the opportunity to make a difference.
"I find him very curious and very interested," Jones said. "He will ask the question that you don't expect or make a connection with something that you don't expect. He has a way of looking at knowledge that is unique."
As a regional winner, Joe is competing this weekend for a final prize of $50,000 awarded to the top two contestants.
"The scholarship takes a back seat to my main goal of helping these people," Joe said. "It is something that I'm passionate about working on way after the competition.
"There will be many, many years of research to come."
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
SONYA CARVER
posted 4/04/08 @ 10:25 AM EST
as a mother to two toddlers with EB, thank you.
dennisej
Dennise Joseph
posted 4/04/08 @ 10:41 AM EST
Dear Joe,
As the aunt of an EB child, Administrative Assistant for EB Medical Research Foundation and friend of your mother's, I am so excited and proud of you!
Please accept by best wishes for tomorrow and know how much your work is appreciated. (Continued…)
stephanie alphin
posted 4/04/08 @ 12:15 PM EST
Joe, you ROCK!! As a Mom of a three year old with EBS, I truly appreciate what you have done. Research is the key to making life with EB easier. Keep up the good work and please let me know if I can do anything to help you. (Continued…)
Carmen
posted 4/04/08 @ 3:13 PM EST
Joe,
Thank you very much for your help and research into the use of bandages for people with EB. It is an area that really needs attention.
I fought insurance to get my son the proper bandaging he needed, it took 3 years but they are covering what is needed, including the silicon bandages. (Continued…)
Liane
posted 4/05/08 @ 5:07 AM EST
Joe,
Thank you so much for taking the time to help spread the EB awareness!!!We are one step closer to a cure because of wonderful people like you and your mom. (Continued…)
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