The Intel Science Talent Search is considered the nation’s most elite and demanding high school research competition, attracting the crème de la milk-fats-encased-in-a-phospholipid-and-protein-membrane of aspiring young scientists. Victors and near-victors in the 69-year-old contest have gone on to win seven Nobel Prizes in physics or chemistry, two Fields Medals in mathematics, a half-dozen National Medals in science and technology, a long string of MacArthur Foundation “genius” grants — and now, an Academy Award for best actress in a leading role.
Above from the beginning of an interesting and amusing piece — Natalie Portman, Oscar Winner, Was Also a Precocious Scientist.
Ms. Portman studied neuroscience and the evolution of the mind at Harvard (B.A. 2003) and is mentioned in passing in The Social Network. Her name is Natalie Hershlag.