CLEVELAND, OHIO: At the Intel International Science & Engineering fair, girls stole the show. What is more exciting about the feat is that an NRI girl from Montreal has walked of the prestigious Young Scientist Award, that happens to be the fair's top prize.
Anila Madiraju, 18, did her path breaking research using latest RNA therapy to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Anila, whose father works for a Canada-based biotech company, Geminex, was also selected to attend the 2003 Nobel prize ceremonies, sponsored by the Swedish Science Academy.
She was also selected the winner in the category of medical sciences. Anila’s parents, who hail from Tirupathi and Guntur, in Andhra Pradesh, migrated to Canada some 18 years ago. " I want to take up this research further and start a clinic to help patients," a beaming Anila said. Her research work has identified some proteins which can be programmed to commit suicide. This protein is part of the cancer cells that grow fast. The therapy works in inhibiting the growth.
Other top winners are Elena Glassman of Pennsylvania and Lisa Glukhovsky of Connecticut. Lisa, 17, examined the distance between Earth and asteroids and Elena Glassman studied brain waves.
For the first time in history, all top three awards went to girls. All winners will get a $50,000 scholarship and a computer.
The trio is among 1,300 students who competed for $4 million in prizes and scholarships this week at the Convention Center. The fair had 15 science categories plus a category for teams. Prizes ranged from $500 to thousands of dollars. More than 500 students received awards, with Ohio students earning $220,000 in scholarships and prizes.
"A passion for science and mathematics ensures that many Intel ISEF finalists will become tomorrow's great scientists and innovators," said Intel CEO Craig Barrett.
"As these students embark on their professional lives, I hope they will collaborate across national boundaries to find solutions to global issues and change the world for the better," he addded.
The fair, which is 54 years old, is administered by Science Service, a nonprofit educational organization. Intel has sponsored the fair for seven years.
(With inputs from N.Suresh in Cleveland, Ohio)
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