Anika Chebrolu, an Indian-American girl from Frisco, Texas, won the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her research into a potential COVID-19 treatment at age 14. She was also named one of the nation’s top young scientists and received $25,000 in prize money.
Wiki/Biography
Anika Chebrolu was born in 2006 (14 years old in 2020) in Frisco, Texas. She attended Nelson Middle School in Frisco, Texas until the eighth grade. Later, she attended Independence High School in Frisco, Texas.
family
Anika Chebrolu belongs to a South Asian Indian-American family. There is not much information available about her family.
Anika Chebrolu and her parents
She credits her grandfather, a chemistry professor, for pushing her forward in the field of science.
My grandpa always encouraged me to study science when I was little. He was actually a chemistry professor, and he always told me to learn about the periodic table and all about science, and over time, I grew to love science.”
3M Young Scientist Challenge Winners
On October 14, 2020, 3M in partnership with Discovery Education announced Indian-American student Anika Chebrolu as the winner of the 2020 Young Scientist Challenge. For the 13th annual competition, students from grades 5 to 8 were asked to submit a video showcasing an innovation that helps solve an everyday problem. Anika Chebrolu was chosen as the winner from a pool of ten finalists selected by a panel of judges. Anika won $25,000 for her work on potential treatments for COVID-19. After Anika won the competition, Dr. Cindy Moss, one of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge judges, called her a curious girl who used her curiosity to ask questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and said,
Her work is comprehensive, examining a vast database. She also brings a deep understanding of the innovation process and is an excellent communicator. Her willingness to use her time and talent to help make the world a better place gives us all hope.”
Anika’s Award-Winning Invention
Anika Chebrolu won the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her research on potential drugs, which used computer simulations to discover a lead molecule that can selectively bind to the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein. She developed a new type of antiviral drug to combat the spread of COVID-19 by extensively studying the protein spike in coronaviruses. In her research, Anika discovered a molecule that can selectively bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. It is thought that upon binding and inhibiting this viral protein, the possibility of the virus entering the cell is stopped; thus forming a viable drug target.
Anika Chebrolu presents her research work
Extensive research
In her research, Anika Chebrolu screened millions of small molecules for their ADMET properties, drug-likeness, and drug-toxicity properties. She also conducted extensive studies on the binding affinity of small molecules to the spike protein using multiple software tools. Among these molecules, the ones with the best pharmacological and biological activities against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were selected as lead molecules, which could be potential drugs to effectively treat COVID-19. In an interview, talking about her research, she said:
After spending so much time studying pandemics, viruses, and drug development, it’s crazy to think that I would actually experience something like this.”
tutor
In her research, Anika Chebrolu worked with 3M scientist Dr. Mahfuza Ali, who mentored her one-on-one over the summer. Under Dr. Mahfuza Ali’s guidance, Anika took her idea from concept to reality. In an interview, when talking about her mentor and working during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said:
Because the COVID-19 pandemic was so serious and had such a huge impact on the world in such a short period of time, I changed direction with the help of my mentor and turned my attention to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.”
Next goal
Anika Chebrolu feels honored to be named one of the nation’s top young scientists, but she believes her work is not yet done, and her next goal is to work with scientists and researchers to find a treatment for COVID-19.
My efforts this summer to find a lead compound that binds to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus may seem insignificant, but they still contribute to all of these efforts. How I further develop this molecule with the help of virologists and drug development experts will determine whether these efforts are successful.”
Facts/Trivia
- The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is considered the nation’s premier science competition for high school students.
- Anika Chebrolu reportedly decided to participate in the Young Scientist Challenge after battling a severe flu infection in 2019.
- This is the first time in the history of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge that the top ten finalist projects will be showcased, and the first time the winner will be announced in the form of a virtual event.
- In addition to receiving a $25,000 cash prize, Anika Chebrolu also won the distinction of being one of America’s Top Young Scientists and a trip to a special destination.
- According to Anika, she was inspired to start looking for potential treatments for the virus after learning about the 1918 influenza pandemic.
- Anika loves Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance, which she has been practicing for eight years.
Anika Chebrolu performs Bharatanatyam
- She is also good at sketching and there is a large collection of her sketches.
Sketches by Anika Chebrolu
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education