D’Mello is one of 13 Indian Americans competing for over $1 million in prizes.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: Ryan D’Mello is one of 40 high school seniors who made it to the finals of the Intel Science Talent Search 2015, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious pre-college science and math competition.
Astoundingly, 13 of the finalists are of Indian American origin, Ryan included.
The competition, colloquially knows as the ISTS, urges students to tackle scientific problems and create technologies and solution to improve people’s quality of life.
Ryan and his fellow finalists are in the nation’s capital, from March 5-11, where they will compete for over $1 million in prizes provided by the Intel Foundation.
“This year’s finalists – who are engaged in leading-edge scientific research and the creation of new technology to address global challenges such as renewable energy, cybersecurity and infectious diseases – prove that with the right education and resources, young people can indeed change the world,” said Justin Rattner, president of the Intel Foundation, in a statement earlier this year.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, and from Naperville, Ryan is the son of Indian immigrants who arrived in the U.S. during the ’70s and ’80s.
His father, Joe D’Mello, emigrated from Bengaluru in 1976, while his mother left Chennai in 1987. According to Ryan, his father executes management training and his mother works in healthcare market research and data analytics.
Ryan, a Senior at Benet Academy in Lisle, also has two siblings, a brother who will be studying computer engineering and science in college and a little sister who will be embarking on her high school journey in the upcoming academic year.
Excerpts of an e-mail interview with Ryan D’Mello before he set out for Washington, DC, for the finals:
What sparked your interest in the fields of math and/or science?
I think I had a natural curiosity, even when I was very young. For example, I always wondered whether the universe had an end, what its shape was, whether it had more dimensions, etc. My dad’s challenging math and science questions over the years helped maintain and develop that interest and curiosity. I find math a fascinating intellectual challenge, but I am also very intrigued by its many applications, and am motivated to find more applications.
Can you describe your project in layman’s terms?
My project has two distinct but related facets – research and applications. The research is the mathematical result I proved about lattice point separation on certain curves called “elliptic curves”. A lattice point is a point whose coordinates are both integers. For example, consider a simple curve like x2 + y2 = 25. This is a circle with radius 5 and center at the origin. The point (3,4) is a lattice point on this circle because 32 + 42 = 25, and 3 and 4 are both integers. I was interested in finding out the separation between lattice points on elliptic curves, so I used the web to locate two professors who were experts in this area (one at Harvard University and the other at Brown University). They thought it was an interesting question which was not addressed in the research literature. That motivated me to work on it, and I came up with a solution, proving that there was a significant lower bound to the separation. The paper was published on October 2, 2014.
The second facet of my research is the applications in cryptography and cybersecurity – see 3 below.
What are the potential applications of your project?
My research has applications in cryptography and cybersecurity. Almost all the recent hacks that we have heard about in the media exploited the lack of good encryption of data. Having good encryption is a great hacking deterrent. After all, why would a data thief, as most hackers are, take the trouble to break into a system or company if the data was securely locked away? Good encryption provides that safe lock! Traditional RSA encryption has limitations that are partially overcome using a more recent form of encryption known as Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). However, both RSA and ECC are based on 2-party (sender and receiver) models that have some practical limitations. My research could potentially enable the development of multi-party models that address these practical limitations. For example, how does one ensure that encrypted data protects privacy, but not to the extent that criminals and terrorists can abuse that privacy to further their subversive agendas? I am working on developing (and eventually patenting) a multi-party model that addresses issues like these (which neither RSA nor ECC currently do). The math research I did will provide the mathematical foundation for developing and validating this model.
What is your daily routine like?
Pretty similar to kids my age: school, sports, music, working out, etc.
Do you have time for a social life, or do you focus on academics?
Yes, I value and enjoy sports and social activities. I think balance is important. While academic work definitely takes a lot of my time and energy, I try to maintain a broader life perspective, and I like to ensure that I am connected with my family, my friends, and society in general. I also find that having some fun enables one to be creative!
Have you ever been bullied in school?
No.
What do you like to do to relax?
Work out, play basketball, play guitar and piano, hang out with friends, etc.
How would you say you’ve gotten to where you are today?
Playing hard and working hard, and finding time for fun and relaxation. Valuing curiosity and imagination as much as valuing knowledge and grades.
Did your parents force you to focus on certain subjects more than others?
No, they encouraged me to discover my interests, but they did also encourage a solid quantitative foundation.
Do you know what you would like to specialize in vocationally?
Some combination of math, economics and computer science. Would like to do interesting research which also has applications.
How have your friends reacted to you becoming a finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search?
They are happy for me. They are excited that I will get to shake President Obama’s hand!
Do you believe there is enough emphasis placed on STEM fields in the U.S. educational system?
Yes, I think there is emphasis in the educational system. However, I think the system should also stress creativity and imagination as opposed to mere information and knowledge.
Who are your role models?
Bill Gates, Warren Buffet
What are your future plans? Do you know where you’d like to go to college?
Have not yet made a final decision on college