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14-Year-Old Girl Wins $25K For Finding A Possible COVID Cure
Authorities in 215 countries and territories have reported about 40.8 million Covid‑19 cases and 1.1 million deaths since China informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about its outbreak in December. And while scientists around the world are racing to find a treatment for the disease, one 14-year-old girl’s efforts stand out among them.
Anika Chebrolu, who is Indian American, submitted her project to the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge when she was in 8th grade. Initially, she tried to use in-silico methods to identify a lead compound that could bind to a protein of the influenza virus.
But “because of the immense severity of the Covid-19 pandemic and the drastic impact it had made on the world in such a short time”, Anika — with the help of my mentor — changed directions to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus. And it worked.
RELATED:
Anika Chebrolu from Frisco, Texas, has just won the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge — and $25,000
Image credits: CBSDFW
Her invention uses in-silico methodology to discover a lead molecule that can selectively bind to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus
Image credits: CBSDFW
You can watch her explain it in the video below
Image credits: CBSDFW
Anika said her journey’s really exciting and she’s trying to process it
Image credits: CBSDFW
“The last two days, I saw that there is a lot of media hype about my project since it involves the SARS-CoV-2 virus and it reflects our collective hopes to end this pandemic as I, like everyone else, wish that we go back to our normal lives soon,” Anika told CNN.
But she’s already being called America’s top young scientist
Image credits: CBSDFW
Anika said she got inspired to start searching for potential cures to viruses after learning about the 1918 flu pandemic and finding out how many people die every year in the US despite annual vaccinations and anti-influenza drugs on the market.
“Anika has an inquisitive mind and used her curiosity to ask questions about a vaccine for Covid-19,” Dr. Cindy Moss, a judge for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, said. “Her work was comprehensive and examined numerous databases. She also developed an understanding of the innovation process and is a masterful communicator. Her willingness to use her time and talent to help make the world a better place gives us all hope.”
Image credits: 3M Young Scientist Challenge
The media is celebrating together with the 14-year-old
Image credits: Goodable
Image credits: 3M
Image credits: USAndIndia
And people really appreciate her work
Image credits: KennyRS
Image credits: AsIWas_Saying
Image credits: SOAlumniNetwork
Image credits: louietwostep
Image credits: AlyssaVenice
Image credits: GooseGrinder
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What do you think ?
Hans 4 years ago
So many people talking...pro COVID measurements, contra COVID measurements. But some are really doing something. If you see a 14-year old advancing scientific research, those people who spread opinions without a factual base should realize it is time to shut up.
Electric Ed 4 years ago
If you see a 14 year old advancing science this much, doesn't it mean the entire science field has been slacking off? Call me cynical, but if it truly is a cure for Covid, there would be no need to mention her age. At least more than once.
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Monika Soffronow 4 years ago
Bravo and congratulations! I too find the 25.000 a very small sum for what she accomplished, but that was the sum of the prize money. This was surely only the first acknowledgment of her brilliant scientific career.
LittleMissLotus 4 years ago
This is amazing! But where did she find all the resources to do this?? My school district barely has enough funds for functioning microscopes, and there's no way my parents would be willing to fork over the money to buy all the lab equipment needed lol
Dynein 4 years ago
"In-silico docking study" - means everything was done on the computer. The data of the molecular structures are freely available, and an overwhelming amount of programs to analyze these biological data is free, too. No funds needed except for a good computer. Of course, since the analysis was done on a computer, the question is if the molecule will truly work as intended - the programs are good but far from perfect, it is entirely possible that the molecule won't bind quite as intended. And even if it does, there's the possibility that the designed molecule interacts with other proteins as well and is therefore harmful for humans... It 's amazing that a 14-year old did such an analysis, kudos for that, but it's just one step in pharmaceutical research.
Load More Replies...
Hans 4 years ago
So many people talking...pro COVID measurements, contra COVID measurements. But some are really doing something. If you see a 14-year old advancing scientific research, those people who spread opinions without a factual base should realize it is time to shut up.
Electric Ed 4 years ago
If you see a 14 year old advancing science this much, doesn't it mean the entire science field has been slacking off? Call me cynical, but if it truly is a cure for Covid, there would be no need to mention her age. At least more than once.
Load More Replies... Monika Soffronow 4 years ago
Bravo and congratulations! I too find the 25.000 a very small sum for what she accomplished, but that was the sum of the prize money. This was surely only the first acknowledgment of her brilliant scientific career.
LittleMissLotus 4 years ago
This is amazing! But where did she find all the resources to do this?? My school district barely has enough funds for functioning microscopes, and there's no way my parents would be willing to fork over the money to buy all the lab equipment needed lol
Dynein 4 years ago
"In-silico docking study" - means everything was done on the computer. The data of the molecular structures are freely available, and an overwhelming amount of programs to analyze these biological data is free, too. No funds needed except for a good computer. Of course, since the analysis was done on a computer, the question is if the molecule will truly work as intended - the programs are good but far from perfect, it is entirely possible that the molecule won't bind quite as intended. And even if it does, there's the possibility that the designed molecule interacts with other proteins as well and is therefore harmful for humans... It 's amazing that a 14-year old did such an analysis, kudos for that, but it's just one step in pharmaceutical research.
Load More Replies...
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