Nolan Kamitaki's math and science awards may read like a checklist for a future rocket scientist, but they're only the tip of the iceberg for the 17-year-old, who was recently named a Davidson Fellow and awarded $25,000 for a computer science project he developed that simulates the spread of infectious disease through a social network.

Since 2001, the Davidson Institute for Talent Development has awarded scholarships to profoundly gifted students ages 18 and younger who are working on graduate-school-level projects with relevance to today's world and the future.

Kamitaki, a senior at Waiakea High School on the Big Island, began his project in the ninth grade, when he saw a basic computer program that tracked the spread of disease at a science fair.

"I really became interested in computer science because I saw it as a way to view real-world processes, to look at problems like the spread of infectious diseases without waiting for an epidemic to happen," Kamitaki said. "It's a way of seeing into the future, kind of like a 'what if' machine."

In his free time, he began compiling data from various public records — medical journals, population data, air traffic and others — and found no significant studies on the impact of the distribution of medical supplies within different age groups in the population. His research concluded that treating children for infectious diseases is the most effective way to prevent an epidemic because they have the greatest number of social interactions.

Kamitaki estimates that he has spent between 300 and 500 hours so far on the multi-year project, which he began purely out of interest. As the project developed, he decided to focus his research on the age distribution element and try to create something publishable.

He continues to focus and refine the project, which he hopes will someday help authorities more efficiently respond to an outbreak of an infectious disease.

"The Davidsons feel strongly about rewarding students who are exploring their potential and making a big difference in the world," said Tacie Moessner, Davidson Fellows program manager. "It always comes back to that potential to benefit society."

As a Davidson Fellow, Kamitaki plans to use his scholarship to pursue further studies in science and mathematics. He is currently eyeing colleges on the East Coast, where he hopes to major in pre-med and continue his research on infectious diseases. He is also interested in possibly branching out to apply mathematical modeling in his studies.

This year, the Davidson Institute awarded 19 Davidson Fellow scholarships — of $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 — to scholars across the country. Kamitaki is one of 10 Fellows to receive a $25,000 scholarship.

Honolulu resident Melody Lindsay was awarded $50,000 as one of three Davidson Fellow Laureates for her music portfolio, "Harping Around the World: Cultural Leadership For the 21st Century." According to Moessner, Kamitaki and Lindsay are the first-ever Davidson Fellows from Hawai'i, and she said she hopes their example will encourage other local students to apply.

Kamitaki says that anyone can make significant contributions with a little bit of work.

"Even if it's a problem that seems too big for one person, or you're still in high school or think you might not have enough knowledge, in today's world, we have a much broader access (to the Internet, media, etc.) that allows us to do research on any level, regardless of age," he said. "There is research that you can do, so there shouldn't be a limit to anyone."