From Science Lab to Red Carpet

Scientist and Academy Award Winner Natalie Portman

Who says science isn't glamorous?  Natalie Portman, who won an Academy Award for the Best Actress in a Leading Role for the movie "Black Swan", is bringing nerdy back.  Portman worked on independent research in high school for the Intel Science Talent Search and was a semi-finalist for the competition.  The Intel Science Talent Search is considered the nation's most elite and demanding high school research competition, which requires research similar to that conducted by the accelerated science students at Everts Middle School.  Portman's research focused on finding more environmentally friendly ways to convert waste into useful forms of energy.  She maintained her straight-A average in addition to extra research and making movies!  In college, her Harvard professor said that she "never once asked for an extension or asked to be excused from her responsiblities."  For example, if she was scheduled to appear on The Letterman Show she would simply finish her paper early.  For more on scientists who are also "stars", click here.