AU math student uses energy
drink while taking Calculus exam

American University Math Professor I-Lok Chang won the prestigious Taurus Prize for his work demonstrating the performance edge gained by athletes and intellectuals alike when they drink energy potions containing taurine, caffeine and lots of sugar.

Chang's theory, which he calls Crank-It, came to him when he started handing out the energy drinks to students taking his Calculus exams. "I credit Red Bull with my own substantial increase in rate of publication so I thought I'd have my students give it a try. When most students instantly improved by one full grade, well, that's when I knew I was on to something big," said Chang.

Whereas energy drinks have been shown to improve athletic performances, Chang is the first to quantify an effect on intellectual pursuits. Chang added, "I am very proud of this work because it should lead to increased use of energy drinks by mathematicians which will undoubtedly be good for the discipline. I've shown the world that energy drinks are not just for athletes anymore."