Indian American Anika Chebrolu , a 14 year old 8th grader, won 3 million USD out of 25,000 young scientists for her discovery of a potential treatment for the COVID-19 vaccine. She is an eight grade student who studies in Frisco, Texas.
She was regarded as the US’ premier middle school science competition winner for her work in silico methodology for drug discovery to find a molecule that can selectively bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus in attempt to find a cure for the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Anika herself battled a severe influenza last year. Her drive for finding the cure to her influenza is what inspired her to target the COVID-19 pandemic and make a difference.
With the 3 million dollar price, she stated that she will use the money to pursue her drug development and would like to buy some laboratory equipment and do more drug tests on her own.
With the help of Dr. Mahfuza Ali, Anika was able to create the perfect concept and transform her idea into a reality. She had the perfect innovation through scientific methods. She presented the project in front of a judging panel which consisted of fellow scientists and leaders in the United States.
Further moving on, she would like to work along fellow scientists and researchers who are trying to find the pandemic virus and find an actual cure that is safe and will help control the morbidity and mortality.
During her childhood she always had a keen interest in medicine, research and science. Once she was hit with the influenza, it inspired her to find the cure and not only help herself but others around her as well. As a child, according to her parents, she would always be involved in doing research on the internet about medicines, diseases and viruses and the use of drugs to fight them. When she herself was diagnosed with the influenza, she conducted multiple tests on herself and was collecting blood samples even while she was highly sick. Her parents also stated that her passion for science is much bigger than her care for herself. Science is undoubtedly her undying passion for life.
During the competition , there were 25,000 finalists who were evaluated on their skills based on a series of challenges, presentation and their complete innovation of their science project. Out of all of the 25,000 finalists, Anika emerged as the top one.
She is currently known as America’s Top Young Scientist at the moment.
