Odds in her favor

Intel semi-finalist’s interest in probability stoked by poker-playing uncle

By Mayer Fertig

Issue of Jan. 30, 2009 / 5 Shevat 5769

Rachel Bandler, a HAFTR senior, is a semi-finalist in Intel’s annual Science Talent Search competition. She brings home HAFTR High School’s 25th award in math and science in the last two years.

Finalists will be announced on Wednesday after The Jewish Star goes to press.

Bandler, who lives in Scarsdale, NY and boards in Oceanside, did research in the field of probability using a mathematical technique called Markov chains.

“What my project aimed to do is test if they work at predicting human behavior.” Her research found that they do.

One of her uncles, an attorney, sparked Bandler’s interest in the subject.

“He plays poker. He started getting me interested in probability –– a flush appearing, or the odds of [particular] cards coming out –– and my interest stemmed from that,” she said Monday.

Predictably, school officials are pleased.

“We are so proud of Rachel,” said Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh Yeshiva of HAFTR High School. In addition to being an excellent student, he added she “possesses stellar middot.”

Demonstrating that attribute during a short interview, Bandler stressed that credit for the win is not hers alone.

“It would not be possible without all the help I’ve gotten from HAFTR, from my mentors, Mrs. Rebecca Isseroff and Mr. Neil Bernstein, and my family,” she said.

Bandler was also chosen as a semifinalist in the Siemens Competition last fall. She has been accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for next year and is considering careers in surgery or research.