EVANS, Ga. A Columbia County high school senior took home the gold this weekend in a regional science fair of sorts. His winning project could lead to new treatments for cancer and other diseases.

James Meixiong's research took the top prize in the region in the 2008 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology.

"Basically I discovered a new link in the pathway of cell death," Meixiong said.

The research, which could have ramifications in understanding and treating diseases like cancer, started with curiosity in a Lakeside High School classroom.

"In the 9th grade when we learned how cells live and stuff, I was interested in that," he said. "But we never really talked about how cells die."

That curiosity led him to take a Research Assistant job at MCG.

"I worked 200 hours over the summer," he remembered.

But with a ground breaking discovery and a prestigious award, the high school senior isn't bragging.

"I put forth the work, I'm pretty sure anyone could do it with the drive," he said.

Whether it's drive, brainpower or a lot of both, Meixiong has come a long way, and has a lot of work ahead.

"The ultimate goal for this research is to produce new drug studies for cancer, Parkinsons," he said.

He says he plans to continue the research as he goes off to college, though he hasn't decided where.

In the meantime, he'll go on to the competition's national finals this December.