Highlights

This was the eighth year of an innovative and exciting partnership between the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center and the Central Bucks School District. Student participants take a course on-site, either AP Chemistry or a Biotechnology Research Elective, and take part in a research internship with a mentor. During this experience, participants also engage in an independent research project. Additional program details can be found below:

2025-2026 Graduation Ceremony: Cohorts 7 and 8

Above: Members of Cohorts 7 and 8 pose with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for a photo after the 2026 Graduation Ceremony. Congressman Fitzpatrick was the keynote speaker.

Three Program Participants to ISEF: Athena Man Wins DCAT Special Award!

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world's largest pre-college science and engineering competition. According to Society for Science, the 2026 competition brought together over 1,700 young scientists representing more than 60 countries, regions and territories. To qualify for the event, students must be identified as a top winner in an affiliated fair. This year three program participants- Shreejith Krisnamoorthy, Athena Man, and Abhiram Kaakarla- won all-expenses-paid trips to compete at ISEF in Phoenix, AZ from May 11-15, 2026.

Above: Athena Man wins a DCAT special award and $5000 the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Image courtesy of DVSF.

Above/Below: After winning the junior level bronze, senior level gold, and senior level silver medals respectively at Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF), Abhiram Kaakarla (left), Shreejith Krishnamoorthy (center), and Athena Man (right) represented the Greater Philadelphia Region at ISEF.

2025-2026 Projects

2025-2026 Competition Results

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Photos from after the 2026 Biotech Graduation Ceremony.
Above: Cohort 7 students

Below: Cohort 8 students

Above: Members of Cohorts 7 and 8 at Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC) on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Nineteen (19) students advanced to Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF), and eight (8) students earned a 1st Place award!

Below: Members of Cohorts 7 and 8 just before the Regional Meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) at Bensalem, PA on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Thirty-four (34) students earned a 1st award and an invitation to present at the State Meeting at Penn State University. Four (4) students earned a perfect score!

Participant Spotlights

Athena Man

Development of a Curcumin-Based Pentraxin Conjugate for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Mentors: Dr. Scott Willett and Dan Nguyen (Baruch S. Blumberg Institute)

Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies (DCAT) Special Award and $5000 at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)
2026 ISEF Finalist
Silver Medal, Senior Fair, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
1st Place, Chemistry, DVSF
Johnson and Johnson Award for Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research Special Award, DVSF
Chromatography Forum of Delaware Valley (CFDV) Special Award, DVSF
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Special Award, DVSF
2nd Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
1st Place and Perfect Score, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) State Meeting
1st Place, PJAS Regional Meeting

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, and the number is still on the rise. While current therapeutic options such as chemotherapy and radiation exist, they often cause severe side effects by damaging healthy cells in addition to cancerous ones. Consequently, a primary objective in immuno-oncology research is to develop anti-cancer therapies that are more selective for cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissue, and reducing side effects. Curcumin, the active compound found in turmeric, has been discovered to induce apoptosis specifically in cancerous cells. To deliver curcumin to the phospholipid bilayer, a curcumin derivative was synthesized as an activated NHS ester, allowing it to bind to the surface lysines found on a pentraxin protein. Pentraxins are five-membered protein rings that function in the innate immune system and can be used as a protein chassis. By utilizing a naturally occurring protein, the chances of the human body rejecting treatment may be reduced. Attached to the curcumin-pentraxin conjugate is a VHH antibody engineered to bind the Kv10.1 ion-gated channel. This ion-gated channel is highly expressed in liver cancer cells and is rarely expressed in regular liver cells, making it a promising therapeutic target. Preliminary conclusions show proof of concept; however, future testing is required. These components, when combined, could potentially create an effective targeted anti-cancer therapeutic.

Athena, a graduate of CB East, will attend Northeastern University in the fall, where she plans to study bioengineering and business administration. Athena won this year's Cross Culture Scholarship.

Shreejith Krishamorthy

Bioengineering Novel Peptide Based Therapies for CORIN mutation regulation associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Mentors: Dr. Scott Willett (Baruch S. Blumberg Institute) and Ryan Ford (Conifer Point Pharmaceuticals)

2026 ISEF Finalist
Gold Medal, Senior Fair, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
1st Place, Engineering, DVSF
2nd Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
1st Place, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) State Meeting
1st Place, PJAS Regional Meeting

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is a rare genetic connective tissue and joint disorder that affects millions of people. Patients with this disease experience chronic joint pain and an increased risk of injury and related conditions later in life. Despite the growing incidence of hEDS, there are currently no targeted therapeutics that effectively mitigate the effects of the various genetic mutations associated with the disease. This research engineered a biomolecule that fuses multiple protein domains to target and mitigate the effects of the CORIN gene mutation found in certain EDS patients. The biomolecule consists of two main domains: an atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) antagonist and a pentraxin. The ANP antagonist is an engineered peptide that has demonstrated specific cell signaling characteristics associated with the CORIN gene mutation. A pentraxin is a five-pronged immune system protein capable of displaying a variety of molecules on each prong. By attaching the ANP antagonist to a pentraxin, this study aims to create a biomolecule that is bioavailable and can effectively target and reverse the impact of the CORIN gene mutation. The bioengineered protein was expressed in a mammalian cell line; however, purification challenges remain and are currently being addressed by modifying specific aspects of both domains. Preliminary computational analysis suggests favorable binding efficiency to the associated receptors.

Shreejith, a CB South graduate, will study biomedical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Shreejith will attend on a full-ride Army ROTC scholarship.

Abhiram Kaakarla

Developing a CNP-Based Therapy to Strengthen Dysregulated Connective Tissue Signaling in Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Mentors: Dr. Scott Willett and Andrzej Ardzinski (Baruch S. Blumberg Institute)

2026 ISEF Finalist
Bronze Medal, Junior Fair, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
1st Place, Biochemistry, DVSF
3rd Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
1st Place, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) State Meeting
$8000 Penn State Eberly College of Science Scholarship
1st Place and Perfect Score, PJAS Regional Meeting

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is a rare genetic connective tissue disorder characterized by joint instability, tissue fragility, and impaired extracellular matrix (ECM) function. Although it affects approximately 1 in 5,000 individuals, there are currently no targeted therapies that directly address the underlying molecular signaling disruptions driving disease progression. This research focuses on developing a signaling-based therapeutic by engineering a fusion protein centered on C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), a molecule that regulates connective tissue homeostasis. Due to its extremely short half-life, native CNP is not suitable for therapeutic use. To address this, CNP was genetically linked to a Pentraxin (five-pronged immune system protein) to improve stability and extend its circulation time. The construct was expressed in mammalian cells and analyzed through PE chromatography purification and protein gel techniques. While expression was successful, results hinted at limited purification efficiency, suggesting structural interference within the fusion design. This led to further optimization, including current work with a specific protease cleavage site to improve possible degradation during purification. Preliminary computational modeling of the fusion protein supported favorable receptor interaction. This work explores a novel approach by targeting signaling pathways rather than structural components, contributing to early development of a potential molecular therapy for hEDS.

Abhiram, a CB South junior, will participate next year as a senior. Abhiram has previously earned the USACO Gold in competitive programming, qualified for DECA ICDC and TSA Nationals, and received the Congressional Award Bronze Medal.

Adhavan Balachandar

Developing a CNS drug delivery mechanism to improve the efficacy of neurotherapeutics

Mentors: Dr. Scott Willett and Andrzej Ardzinski (Baruch S. Blumberg Institute)

1st Place, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
2nd Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- States
PA Science Talent Search Senior Award
1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- Regionals

This project focuses on engineering single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs) that bind to the transferrin receptor to facilitate the transportation of therapeutic and diagnostic molecules across the Blood-Brain Barrier. The Blood-Brain Barrier is a biological barrier surrounding our central nervous system that makes it virtually impossible for therapies to enter the brain. The goal of this project is to utilize receptor-mediated transcytosis, or transportation via surface proteins, to create a drug delivery platform for molecules that are unable to penetrate the Blood-Brain barrier. This would enable new and more effective treatments and diagnosis techniques for neurological diseases.

Adhavan graduates from CB West HS. He will attend the University of Pennsylvania where he will study Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Adhavan is an Eagle Scout.

Alexis Cho

Helper of helpers: a microbiome derived approach to adjunctive cancer therapy via IDO1 inhibition

Mentors: Dr. John Kulp, Ryan Ford (Conifer Point Pharmaceuticals)

3rd Place, Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF)
Special Award from Parenteral Drug Association - Delaware Valley Chapter
1st Place, Bucks County Science Research Competition (BCSRC)
1st Award and Perfect Score, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- States
$8000 Penn State Eberly College of Science Scholarship
1st Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)- Regionals

The goal of my project is to computationally design and simulate small molecule inhibitors derived from the gut microbiome to engineer a plasmid that can engineer bacterial species into novel probiotics for TME alleviators and IDO1 inhibition.

Alexis Cho is a CB South junior who will return to the Biotech Center for her senior year. She is currently the Business Manager for SSELF. Alexis also founded The Good of Green, a 501(c)3 nonprofit for agricultural integration in communities, earning over 20K for eight hydroponics units that can donate up to 1000 heads of produce to the Barclay Farmers Market monthly.

State Meeting of Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS)

Above: Cohorts 7 and 8 join other CBSD students in a group photo taken at the State Meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) at Penn State University in University Park, PA on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Biotech students earned twenty-seven (27) first awards. Five (5) earned a perfect score!

Below: Adhavan Balachandar wins the PSTS Outstanding Senior award at the 2026 PJAS State Meeting. Interns from Conifer Point Pharmaceuticals (Alexis Cho, Saisanthosh Krishnamoorthy, and Joanna Nadackal) win $8000 scholarships from Penn State's Eberly College of Science. Willett Lab Members (Ramsey Polis and Abhiram Kaakarla) win $8000 scholarships from Penn State's Eberly College of Science.

Above: David Dougherty (left) and Shreejith Krishnamorthy (right) are valedictorian and salutatorian respectively for CB South HS.