Highlights
2019-2020
Rishi was the top project among all seniors from all categories at DVSF. In a normal year, Rishi would have earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Anaheim, California to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Unfortunately, that event was canceled this year.
Investigating Synthetic Compounds to Potentiate SMAC Mimetic Targeting Agent
Mentor: Dr. Roshan Thapa
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 2nd Place, BCSRC
- 1st Place, DVSF
- Gold Medal Winner at Delaware Valley Science Fair in the senior-level fair.
In my project, I seek to find anti-inflammatory compounds that could overcome multiple mutations present during HBV infection. These compounds could possibly enhance the efficacy of SMAC Mimetic, drugs that are currently used to treat cancer, and to overcome drug resistance.
Madison Charnigo
Analysis of Potential Exosomal Protein and mRNA Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Mentor: Dr. Aejaz Sayeed
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 1st Place, BCSRC
- Paletti USA Award, BCSRC
- Honorable Mention, DVSF
My research intends to develop a diagnostic for Hepatocellular Carcinoma by identifying certain exosomal protein or mRNA biomarkers. Exosomes are vesicles released by cells into the blood stream and have contents reflective of their origin. My research is identifying proteins or genes that vary in expression between the exosomes of cancerous and non-malignant cells to identify a trend that can be examined in patient biofluids to non-invasively identify the presence of cancerous liver tissue. A late onset of symptoms and ineffective diagnostics make HCC extremely lethal, taking over 500,000 lives each year. This approach non-invasively identifies the cancer earlier in its progression to allow for current treatments to be more effective.
Marshall Miller
A Sixth Sense: Detecting Invisible Bacteria with Artificial Intelligence
Mentor: Dr. John Kulp
- 1st Award and Perfect Score, PJAS Regionals
- 1st Place, BCSRC
- 2nd Place, DVSF
My goal is to develop an artificial intelligence model to detect an invisible bacteria known as Mycoplasma. This new method of detection could exponentially decrease the time required to publish and validate experimental results. Mycoplasma currently contaminates between 15% to 35% of all cell cultures in US laboratories, causing chromosomal abnormalities and nutrient loss in their host cells. The current gold-standard method of detection required by high impact-factor journals is PCR, an often time-intensive process. A quicker method of Mycoplasma detection would be a great service to the biotechnology community.
Rutuja Kulkarni
Developing a Transdermal Patch Using the Drug Tofacitinib to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mentor: Frank Jones, Greene Street Pharmaceuticals
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 2nd Place, BCSRC
- Central Bucks Education Association (CBEA) Award, BCSRC
- Honorable Mention, DVSF
I am working on making an adhesive patch that can stick onto and dose drug right through the skin into the bloodstream to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. Rheumatoid Arthritis patients have to deal with a lot of unnecessary side effects with current treatment options. My product and research has the potential to make treatment easier because these side effects can be avoided with a transdermal patch.
Sophie Kadan
Characterizing the Pea Border Cell Apoptosis Pathway and its Impact on exDNA Defense
Mentor: Dr. Darl Swartz
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 1st Place, BCSRC
- DOW Chemical Company Award (2nd Best Special Award for Grades 11-12), BCSRC
- 2nd Place, DVSF
- $30,000 scholarship to University of the Sciences
Border cells are structurally and genetically unique cells that shed off of many plant root tips. After shedding, they respond to metals, plant pathogens, and other aggregates by releasing a DNA mucilage. Functioning as a trapping mechanism, mucilage plays a key role in plant defense. This project aims to characterize the mucilage-releasing mechanism, applying findings to soil decontamination.
Erin Greer
Determining a Protein Biomarker as a Diagnostic Tool for Liver Cancer
Mentor: Dr. Aejaz Sayeed
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 2nd Place, BCSRC
- 2nd Place, DVSF
Heptocellular Carcinoma (HCC) affects millions. The treatments we do have are most effective in earlier stages, so I focused on finding an noninvasive diagnostic tool to prematurely diagnose HCC. I collected exosomes, things that cells release naturally, and compared the presence of proteins in cancerous exosomes and noncancerous exosomes. My goal was to find a protein that would signify a liver cell has HCC to help diagnose the disease early. Using the method of diagnosis my research focused on, patients with HCC can be diagnosed earlier; thus, patients have a greater chance of using the available successful treatments for HCC before their conditions get unsaveable.
Andrew Yang
Selective Killing of Cancer with Synergistic Combination of ROS-Regulator and Chemotherapeutic Agents
Mentor: Dr. Roshan Thapa
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 3rd Place, BCSRC
- Mideastern Region of PJAS / Council for the Advancement of Public Schools (CAPS) Award
- 2nd Place, DVSF
My project examines whether a combination of Sodium Ascorbate, a salt of Vitamin C, and cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, can selectively kill cancer cells and not kill health cells. With this project, I hope to optimize chemotherapy regimens to lower dosages while maintaining effectiveness of the drug. In addition, this research could lower side effects of chemotherapy due to lower healthy cell death.
Samantha Zanine
Mentor: Dr. Aejaz Sayeed
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 2nd Place, BCSRC
- 2nd Place, DVSF
I have been working to identify a protein in differing concentrations between cancerous and noncancerous vesicles that originate from liver cells. These vesicles, called exosomes, are found in bodily fluids, making them useful in diagnostic testing. Part of the deadliness of liver cancer involves difficulties in early detection. A non-invasive procedure that can diagnose the cancer earlier has great potential in decreasing liver cancer’s currently high mortality rate.
