BioGENEius 2015 International Winners

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CloseAnvita Gupta
Grand Prize Winner: Global Healthcare Challenge
At-Large Arizona (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
BASIS Scottsdale
Scottsdale, AZ
Project Title:
Novel Therapeutics for Genetic and Infectious Diseases: Drug Discovery Targeting Intrinsically Disordered ProteinsDescription:
Drug discovery takes ten years and five billion dollars to bring one drug to market. By combining artificial-intelligence with biochemistry, we create a novel framework to find therapeutics for genetic/infectious diseases by targeting disordered proteins, thus reducing time and cost. The framework is applied to find and validate new drugs for Cancer, Tuberculosis, and Ebola.Michael Tran DuongRunner-Up: Global Healthcare Challenge
Local Pennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Methacton High School
Eagleville, PA
Project Title:
Advances in Alzheimer's Disease: Amyloid-Beta Protein Reprograms Early Neurodevelopment leading to Future NeurodegenerationDescription:
This study determines that the presence of abnormally high levels of amyloid-beta protein linked with early and late-onset Alzheimer's disease to multipotent neural stem cells can abnormally affect the early neurodevelopment of the brain and lead to future neurodegeneration. These results indicate the need and opportunity for early identification and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.Austin WangGrand Prize Winner: Global Environment Challenge
Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada
David Thompson Secondary
Vancouver, BC
Project Title:
Identifying Genes with Roles in Power Output of Exoelectrogenic Bacteria in Microbial Fuel CellsDescription:
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are batteries powered by bacteria. In this project, a novel procedure was used to identify genes that help bacteria improve their ability to generate electricity in MFCs. The results of this study may eventually contribute to the commercialization of MFC technology by improving the performance of MFCs.Kimberly TeRunner-Up: Global Environment Challenge
At-Large New York (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge Winner
Manhasset High School
Manhasset, NY
Project Title:
Natural, Cost-Effective Anodes for Optimized Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells: Engineering a Novel Approach to Harvesting Energy and Cleaning Up Oil-Polluted RegionsDescription:
I engineered a device, known as a microbial fuel cell (MFC), that can both generate electricity and clean up oil-polluted regions. I developed a novel design that utilizes natural, sustainable, low-cost materials for optimized MFC performance. This device can also be helpful towards manufacturing plants, remote sensing technology, and 3rd world countries.Ayan BandyopadhyayHonorable Mention
California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge
Bellarmine College Preparatory
San Jose, CA
Project Title:
The Effect of Cobalt(II) Biomineralization on Power Density in a Microbial Fuel CellDescription:
In microbial fuel cells, bacteria transfer electrons to the anode. Electrons flow to the cathode, which reduces oxygen. The project increased cell voltage when bacteria deposited Cobalt(III) compounds on the cathode. Because power is voltage times current, more power was produced per square meter of electrode surface area.Simon KammannHonorable Mention
BioGENEius Challenge of Germany
Institut Dr. Flad
Stuttgart, DE-BW
Project Title:
Sunscreens – Effects on freshwater and saltwater organismsDescription:
The objective is to determine the toxicity of sunscreen to avoid possible consequences for the environment, especially for freshwater and saltwater organisms.Anthony KangHonorable Mention
California (SoCal) BioGENEius Challenge
Canyon Crest Academy
San Diego, CA
Project Title:
TraY-cing the Origins of Antibiotic Resistance Spread through F conjugationDescription:
I demonstrated the effectiveness of a novel approach to treat highly resistant bacterial infections. In my experiment, I was able to successively slow down the spread of antibiotic resistance genes within bacterial populations by hindering conjugation, through which individual bacterium can exchange genetic information. Further research may substantiate this approach's viability in a clinical setting.Olivia LenzoHonorable Mention
Illinois BioGENEius Challenge
Oak Park River Forest High School
Oak Park, IL
Project Title:
Bioengineering a Novel Natural Pharmaceutical Composed of Umbelliferone and Resveratrol to Reduce Biofilms on Joint ReplacementsDescription:
Five different species of bacteria were exposed to umbelliferone/resveratrol on aluminum plates submerged in nutrient agar (in order to replicate conditions bacteria would grow on a prosthetic joint or metal bone implant within the human body). Bacterial growth was then observed and analyzed in order to determine the efficacy of umbelliferone/resveratrol as an anti-bacterial agent.Aditya MohanHonorable Mention
Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada
Colonel By Secondary School
Ottawa, On
Project Title:
Development Of A Novel Oncolytic Virus For Cancer Treatment And DiagnosisDescription:
I have developed a novel virus that is able to target cancer cells with an efficiency of 94%, can kill 98% of cancer cells without harming healthy cells, and can be used at very low doses making it around 1000 times more efficient than existing cancer treatments.Jonah NgHonorable Mention
New Mexico BioGENEius Challenge
Las Cruces High School
Las Cruces, NM
Project Title:
Automated ECG Signal Analysis and Arrhythmia DetectionDescription:
Procedures and software based on machine learning have been developed that allow us to automatically identify abnormal heartbeats from ECG recordings. They will be useful for the long-term monitoring of the heart condition in personalized wearable healthcare devices. Tests with ECG signals in a public database confirm the effectiveness of the approach.Rohan PalankiHonorable Mention
Alabama (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge
WP Davidson High School
Mobile, AL
Project Title:
Efficacy and Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles for Skin Cancer Chemoprevention and TherapyDescription:
In this project, very small particles in the nanoscale range were tested in a skin cancer model. I found that silver nanoparticles are potent at treating skin cancer and at preventing the onset of skin cancer. These silver nanoparticles were then synthesized via an alternative method for use in a topical cream for these applications.Edward ParkHonorable Mention
New Mexico BioGENEius Challenge
Las Cruces High School
Las Cruces, NM
Project Title:
Sustainable Bio-battery Utilizing Extracellular Charge Transfer Mechanism of Dissimilatory Metal-Reducing BacteriaDescription:
Dissimilartory metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis produces extracellular nanowires connecting neighboring cells. This project built a simple, low-cost, non-toxic bio-battery that utilized the nanowire network that served as electron transfer pathways under electron acceptor limitation. This bio-battery could be powered by wastewater and can produce energy for portable technology such as mobile phone, tablets and laptops.Vaishnavi ShrivastavaHonorable Mention
California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge
Mission San Jose High School
Fremont, CA
Project Title:
A Noninvasive Regenerative Stem Cell Treatment for Osteoporosis through an Injectable Nanocomposite Orthopedic Implant and Dynamic Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound StimulationDescription:
I created a fast nonsurgical treatment for osteoporosis-related fractures and bone defects. These injuries often cannot heal and bone graft surgeries are unsuccessful in over 70% of cases, so patients undergo prolonged pain and suffering. My novel treatment method involves an injectable implant and external ultrasound stimulation to rapidly and completely heal these injuries.Paul WinklerHonorable Mention
BioGENEius Challenge of Germany
Gymnasium Brandis
Brandis, DE-SN
Project Title:
Can we afford to let energy rot on the field?Description:
The most frequently used plant to produce energy in form of biogas is corn. In conventional processes the whole plant along with the grains is fermented to generate energy. Instead of using the conventional methods for generating biogas, large amounts of left over straw could be used after threshing which usually remains unused on fields.Anvita Gupta Grand Prize Winner: Global Healthcare Challenge
Arizona (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge -
Michael Tran Duong Runner-Up: Global Healthcare Challenge
Pennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge -
Austin Wang Grand Prize Winner: Global Environment Challenge
Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada -
Kimberly Te Runner-Up: Global Environment Challenge
New York (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge -
Ayan Bandyopadhyay Honorable Mention
California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge -
Simon Kammann Honorable Mention
BioGENEius Challenge of Germany -
Anthony Kang Honorable Mention
California (SoCal) BioGENEius Challenge -
Olivia Lenzo Honorable Mention
Illinois BioGENEius Challenge -
Aditya Mohan Honorable Mention
Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada -
Jonah Ng Honorable Mention
New Mexico BioGENEius Challenge -
Rohan Palanki Honorable Mention
Alabama (At-Large) BioGENEius Challenge -
Edward Park Honorable Mention
New Mexico BioGENEius Challenge -
Vaishnavi Shrivastava Honorable Mention
California (Bay Area) BioGENEius Challenge -
Paul Winkler Honorable Mention
BioGENEius Challenge of Germany