70 Indian Americans among Regeneron Science Talent Search toppers

Students and schools to get $1.2 million in awards for exceptional scientific research in STEM subjects

More than 70 Indian American students figure among the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022, America’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,804 applications received from 603 high schools across 46 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and eight other countries, Society for Science announced Jan 6.

Read: Four Indian American teens among top winners in 2021 Regeneron Science Talent Search (March 20, 2021)

This year, research projects cover topics from tracking countries’ progress on Sustainable Development Goals to the impact of states’ individual Covid-19 responses, and improving the tools used to diagnose Alzheimer’s to analyzing the effects of virtual learning on education, according to a society press release.

“Amid an unprecedented and ongoing global health crisis, we are incredibly inspired to see such an extraordinary group of young leaders who are using the power of STEM to solve the world’s most intractable challenges,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science, Publisher of Science News and 1985 Science Talent Search alum. “

“The Regeneron Science Talent Search provides students with a national stage to present original research and celebrates the hard work and novel discoveries of young scientists who are bringing a fresh perspective to significant global challenges,” she said.

“The ingenuity and creativity that each one of these scholars possesses has shown just how much intellectual curiosity and passion can thrive, even in difficult times.”

“Congratulations to this year’s 300 Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars for their remarkable contributions and discoveries in the STEM field,” said Christina Chan, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Citizenship at Regeneron.

“We are honored to celebrate this new generation of problem solvers who have demonstrated the depth of their innovative thinking, commitment to continuous learning, and ability to tackle global challenges in creative ways.”

On Jan 20, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. The finalists will then compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a week-long competition taking place March 10-16.

Read: Indian American finalists in the 2021 Regeneron Science Talent Search aim to tackle world’s vexing problems (February 4, 2021)

The winner will get a top award of $250,000, while the top 300 scholars and their schools will get $2,000 each to inspire more young people to engage in science.

Program alumni include recipients of the world’s most coveted science and math honors, including 13 Nobel Prizes, 11 National Medals of Science, six Breakthrough Prizes, 22 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and two Fields Medals.

Read: Multitude of Indian American High School Seniors Named Regeneron Scholars in Science Talent Search 2022 (January 7, 2022)

Here are some of the Indian American and South Asian Americans named among the 300 Regeneron scholars:

Ayush Agrawal, Canyon Crest Academy, CA
Project Title: Detection of Arsenic Contamination Using Satellite Imagery and Machine Learning

Naisha Agarwal, Saratoga High School, CA
Project Title: Recommendation Algorithms that Increase Equitable Access to Influencers (Fairness) in a Network

Armaan Ahmed, Scarsdale High School, NY
Project Title: Design of a SHERLOCK-Based Low Resource Screening Assay for HIV-1 Drug Resistance

Neha Ayyalapu, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, NJ
Project Title: A Machine Learns to Predict the Stability of Highly Diverse Multi-Planetary Systems

Anjana Balachandar, Buchholz High School, FL
Project Title: Extending the Boundaries of 3D Printing of Soft Matter

Sohini Banerjee, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, VA
Project Title: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Biomarker Identification Using Integrative Network Fusion and Deep Learning With Bayesian Hyperparameter Optimization

Harshal Bharatia, Plano Senior High School, TX
Project Title: Autonomous Learning With Automatically Created Models and a Novel Model Selection

Aurrel Bhatia, Bethpage High School, NY
Project Title: Utilizing a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Machine Learning Algorithm to Create Soil Moisture Prediction Models and Improve Water Productivity in Southern California

Disha Bhattacharya, Carnegie Vanguard High School, TX
Project Title: Investigating Short-Term Effects of Critically High Environmental Metal Concentrations on Usnic Acid Production in Cladonia rangiferina Lichens

Pratiksha Bhattacharyya, Maine West High School, IL
Project Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Momordin in the Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis

Atreyus Bhavsar, Blake School Northrop Campus, MN
Project Title: The Spread of Macroscopic Droplets from a Simulated Cough With and Without the Use of Masks or Barriers
Project Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Momordin in the Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis

Varun Chandrashekhar, duPont Manual Magnet High School, KY
Project Title: SpeakUp: A Machine Learning-Based Speech Aid to Enable Real-Time Silent Communication for the Paralyzed by Translating Neuromuscular EMG Signals to Speech

Neil Chowdhury, Phillips Exeter Academy, NH
Project Title: Modeling the Effect of Histone Methylation on Chromosomal Organization in Colon Cancer Cells

Srihitha Dasari, Denmark High School, GA
Project Title: Improving Multiclass Classification of Alzheimer’s Disease Using Cortical Volumetry and Inter-Cortical Ratios as Combined Markers

Riju Dey, Shorewood High School, WI
Project Title: Discovery of Novel Eukaryotic-Like Dual Phosphatase Kinase Regulating Secretion of the Toxin Pyocyanin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Harrish Ganesh,Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, VA
Project Title: The Analysis of the Viral Transmission and Structural Interactions Between the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein and the Lymphocyte Receptor Integrin α4β7

Rithvik Ganesh, Plano West Senior High School, TX
Project Title: Tackling Tau: Identification of a Novel Inhibitor for the MSUT-2 Protein Using Quantum Machine Learning for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Shyam Ganesh Babu, Spring Valley High School, SC
Project Title: Exploring How to Merge an Aspiration Thrombectomy Device and a Rotational Atherectomy Device for Efficacious Individual or Joint Removal of Thrombi and Plaque through In-Vitro Testing

Dimple Amitha Garuadapuri, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, CA
Project Title: Developing a Pre-Risk Assessment Incorporating Machine-Learning and Biomarkers to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

Shaurnav Ghosh, Pine Crest School, FL
Project Title: Using Convolutional Encoder Networks to Determine the Optimal Magnetic Resonance Image for the Automatic Segmentation of Multiple Sclerosis

Arko Ghosh, C. Leon King High School, FL
Project Title: A Novel Approach to Citrus Disease Management: Leveraging Computer Vision, Machine Learning and Convolutional Neural Networks

Prabuddha Ghosh Dastidar, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, NC
Project Title: Pre-mRNA Splicing Inhibition as a Potential Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: An Innovative Approach by Identifying Vulnerabilities in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Using Biflavonoid Isoginkgetin and Pladienolide B

Rohan Ghotra, Syosset High School, NY
Project Title: Uncovering Motif Interactions from Convolutional Attention Networks for Regulatory Genomics

Ram Goel, Krishna Homeschool, OR
Project Title: Products of Reflections in Smooth Bruhat Intervals

Siya Goel, West Lafayette Junior-Senior High School, IN
Project Title: PanCan Diagnosed (A miRNA Approach): Using Feature Selection, Ensemble Algorithms, and Interpretability for the Early Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Aanya Goel, Herricks High School, NY
Project Title: Inflammatory Markers Associated With Early Life Adversity in the Postmortem Human Brain

Riya Gupta, Saratoga High School, CA
Project Title: Formulating a Gene Signature for the Diagnosis of Autoimmune and Infectious Diseases

Arjan Kahlon, Charter School of Wilmington, DE
Project Title: Remote Gait Analysis as a Proxy for Traditional Gait Laboratories: Utilizing Smartphones as a Wearable Patient-Implemented Solution for Assessment of Gait Across Differing Terrains

Shreyas Kar, duPont Manual Magnet High School, KY
Project Title: Impact of Electronic Health Record Discontinuity in Prediction Modelling Algorithms

Mithra Karamchedu, Jesuit High School, OR
Project Title: Cryosphere Melting Risk: Predictive Model of Glacial and Permafrost Melting Using Fractal Analysis of Remote Sensed Images and Correlations to Timeseries Geoglacial and Permafrost Data

Jui Khankari, Hinsdale Central High School, IL
Project Title: Automated Detection of Arterial Landmarks and Vascular Occlusions in Acute Stroke Patients on Digital Subtraction Angiography Using Deep Learning

Vivek Kogilathota, Rick Reedy High School, TX
Project Title: iPonder: A Multimodal Approach to Teen Mental Health Diagnosis and Therapy via Deep Transfer Learning

Nikitha Kota, Carnegie Vanguard High School, TX
Project Title: Tense of Psychological Distancing Self Talk and Test Performance Among GT High School Students

Kaivalya Kulkarni, Okemos High School, MI
Project Title: On the 3-Rank of Class Groups of Quadratic Fields

Rishi Kumar, Bergen County Academies, NJ
Project Title: Co-Culturing S. cerevisiae and K. marxianus to Bioremediate Copper from Water

Varun Madan, Lake Highland Preparatory School, FL
Project Title: Developing a Novel Multiple Linear Regression Model to Optimize Honey Bee Gut Immunity Using a Lactic Acid Bacteria Probiotic Mixture

Atulya Mandyam, Westview School, CA
Project Title: Novel Biomarker for Identification of Bipolar Disorder Treatment Response

Rohit Mantena, Bergen County Academies, NJ
Project Title: The Critical Role of Glutamine Transporter ASCT2 on Parkinson’s Disease Progression

Vaibhav Mishra, West Laurens High School, GA
Project Title: NeuroXNet: Creating a Novel Deep Learning Architecture that Diagnoses Neurological Disorders, Finds New Blood Biomarkers, and Assesses Surgical, Drugs, and Radiation Treatment Plans Using Medical Imaging and Genomic Data

Ashini Modi, Caddo Parish Magnet High School, LA
Project Title: An Evolutionary Model for Stellar Wind-Induced Atmospheric Escape of Small Exoplanets

Dheepthi Mohanraj, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, NC
Project Title: AutoFlow: A Novel Method for Assessing Minimal Residual Disease in Breast Cancer Patients by Identifying Bone Marrow Disseminated Tumor Cells Using Flow Cytometry Data

Varsha Naga, Winter Springs High School, FL
Project Title: Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections Using Antibacterial Boron Carbonitride Nanoparticle Coating on Medical Devices

Yash Narayan, The Nueva School, CA
Project Title: DeepWaste: Applying Deep Learning on a Mobile Device for Accurate, Low Cost, and Ubiquitous Waste Classification

Suraj Oruganti, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, NJ
Project Title: Early/Late Chemotherapy: Mathematically Modeling Prostate-Specific Antigen Parameters and Investigating Their Effects on Intermittent Androgen Deprivation

Dhruv Pai, Montgomery Blair High School, MD
Project Title: Representation and Deep Learning on Brain Surface Data for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Khushi Parikh, Gilbert Community School, IA
Project Title: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network to Detect Antibiotic Resistance Polymorphisms in S. Pneumoniae DNA

Rishab Parthasarathy, The Harker School, CA
Project Title: A Novel Combination of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Pathway Analysis for Predicting Oncogenic Mutation Progression and Recommending Targeted Therapies

Nithin Parthasarathy, Northwood High School, CA
Project Title: “Minimally Calibrated High Performance Communication Interfaces for the Neurologically Impaired”: New Directions Using Language Models Along With Gaming Extensions to Assist ADHD Subjects

Shivani Patel, Manhasset High School, NY
Project Title: Neuronal Death in Alzheimer’s Disease is Triggered by Extracellular CIRP through Calpain

Roshni Patel, Herricks High School, NY
Project Title: Connectivity Between the Medial Dorsal Nucleus of the Thalamus and the Cingulo-Opercular Network is Related to Psychosis Symptom Severity in a Youth Community Sample

Sidhya Peddinti, Plano East Senior High School, TX
Project Title: Parkinsensor: Computer Vision and Ensemble Machine Learning-Based Incipient Diagnosis for Parkinson’s Disease Using Neuromuscular Biomarkers

Kannammai Pichappan, Bergen County Academies, NJ
Project Title: A Novel, Non-Invasive, Schwann Cell Supporting Approach to Peripheral Nervous System Degenerative Disease

Anika Puri, Horace Greeley High School, NY
Project Title: ElSa: A Novel Real-Time Wildlife Poacher Detection Solution Leveraging Machine Learning-Driven Spatio-temporal Analysis of Nighttime UAV Thermal Infrared Videos

Pravalika Putalapattu, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, VA
Project Title: DORC: Dynamic Operating Room Companion for Gallbladder Removal Surgical Workflow Verification

Sasvath Ramachandran, The Harker School, CA
Project Title: Genomic Reconstruction and Phylogenetic Analyses of Cycloclasticus, a Dominant Microbe at the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Navya Ramakrishnan, Plano Senior High School, TX
Project Title: An Intelligent System for the Prediction of Epileptic Seizures Using Machine Learning Algorithms

Janice Rateshwar, Jericho Senior High School, NY
Project Title: Novel Small Molecule 9-chloro-8-(hexyloxy)-2H-chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-dione (IT-848)* Treatment of Hematological Malignancies: IT-848 Directly Inhibits NF-KAPPAB Transcription Factors and Bolsters Combination Cancer Therapy

Neil Rathi, Palo Alto High School, CA
Project Title: Cross-Linguistic Universals of Morphological Fusion: An Information-Theoretic Approach

Hrishika Roychoudhury, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, NC
Project Title: Development of an Anticancer Agent by Green Synthesis of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Using Agri-Food Byproducts as a Novel Reducing Agent

Varsha Saravanan, Hauppauge High School, NY
Project Title: Baseline Framework for Assessing Community Resilience Using a Balanced Index Approach and Spatial Autocorrelation in the Mill River Watershed, Nassau County, New York

Harshita Sehgal, Roslyn High School, NY
Project Title: Understanding the Evolutionary Development of Radio-Resistance in the Brassicae Family

Arnav Shah, Bronx High School of Science, NY
Project Title: A Novel Reinforcement Learning-Assisted Self-Correcting Hybrid Quantum-Classical Algorithm to Simulate Molecular Systems and Compute Ground State Energies

Cameron Sharma, Mills E. Godwin High School, VA
Project Title: FluVaxAI: A Novel AI Inspired Regional Flu Vaccine Formulation

Maya Sharma, Eastside Preparatory School, WA
Project Title: Computational Analysis of Specific Indicators to Manage Crop Yield and Profits Under Extreme Heat and Climate Change Conditions

Ankit Singhal, International School Basel, Switzerland
Project Title: Political Conflict Prediction through Deep Learning and Time Series Classification in South Sudan and Yemen

Savar Sinha, Hamilton High School, AZ
Project Title: The Persistence of Homology: Unity and Diversity in Eukaryotic ATP Synthases

Arnab Sircar, Unionville High School, PA
Project Title: Characterization of Emotional Contagion in Collaborative Decision Support Systems

Ashwin Sivakumar, Flintridge Preparatory School, CA
Project Title: Late Pleistocene Fossils Recontextualize the Ecology of Introduced Turkeys in California

Vivek Sreejithkumar, Florida Atlantic University High School, FL
Project Title: The Evolution of the Identifiable Analysis of the COVID-19 Virus

Siddharth Tiwari, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, IL
Project Title: On the Relationship Between Pain Variability and Relief in Randomized Clinical Trials

Nishi Uppuluri, Edgemont High School, NY
Project Title: Developing the Writing Skills of Elementary Schoolers Using Computational Linguistics Techniques

Annika Vaidyanathan, Winter Springs High School, FL
Project Title: Dynamic Contact Angle Measurements of Superhydrophobicity in Dip-Coated Face Masks to Minimize Exposure to COVID-19 Sized Nanoparticles

Pratik Vangal, Sunset High School, OR
Project Title: A Biologically-Inspired, Biomarker-Driven, Rapid Early Warning System for Epileptic Onset Prediction and Seizure Detection Using Machine Learning

Keelan Vaswani, Harrison High School, NY
Project Title: Patterns in Cognitive Distortions Among High School Students: An Analysis of How Social and Achievement Situations Influence Types of Thinking.