Arizona and New Mexico High School Scientists Win Regional Siemens Competition at the University of Texas at Austin for Research on Intrinsically Disordered Proteins for Drug Discovery and Computational Models of Tree Growth

Months of dedication and hard work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) paid off tonight for three students named National Finalists in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, the nation’s premier research competition for high school students. Anvita Gupta of Scottsdale, Arizona earned the top honors and a $3,000 individual scholarship for research on intrinsically disordered proteins for drug discovery. Research on computational models of tree growth earned Eli Echt-Wilson and Albert Zuo of Albuquerque, New Mexico the $6,000 team scholarship.

Eli Echt-Wilson and Albert Zuo are the team winners of the Siemens Competition regional event held at the University of Texas at Austin. They advance to the National Finals in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Business Wire)

The students presented their research this weekend to a panel of judges from the University of Texas at Austin, host of the Region Two Finals. They will now present their work on a national stage in Washington, D.C., December 5-9, 2014, where $500,000 in scholarships will be awarded, including two top prizes of $100,000. The Siemens Competition, a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, is administered by Discovery Education.

“These incredible students have invested significant time and energy to advance research and exploration in critical fields,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “I commend the finalists for their outstanding achievements and wish them luck in the next phase of the competition.”

The Winning Individual

Anvita Gupta, a student at BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, won the individual category and a $3,000 scholarship for her project, titled “A Novel Method of Targeting Intrinsically Disordered Proteins for Drug Discovery: Application to Cancer and Tuberculosis.”

Anvita’s computational project used machine learning algorithms to find promising drugs for diseases like cancer and tuberculosis. She developed a novel method to rank these possible leads for certain molecular targets, chosen specifically for diseases with intrinsically disordered proteins. These proteins make up 70 percent of all cancer proteins and are also implicated in Alzheimer’s, Tuberculosis, and Ebola.

“Anvita’s approach was able to replicate some of the possible leads that have already gone into drug trials,” explained Dr. Chandrajit Bajaj, Computational Applied Mathematics Chair in Visualization at the University of Texas at Austin. “This is an exciting use of computer science and bioinformatics, and the fact that a program like hers can start to give you potential drug leads is highly promising.”

“My interest in math and science was piqued by playing with and learning to program LEGO Mindstorms robots that I received for my birthday,” explained Anvita.

In addition to founding and heading a computer science program for middle schools girls (LITAS), Anvita has taken 16 advanced STEM courses, and speaks two languages.

Anvita’s mentor is Dr. Gil Alterovitz, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School.

The Winning Team

Eli Echt-Wilson and Albert Zuo of Albuquerque, New Mexico won the team category and will share a $6,000 scholarship for their project, titled “A Detailed Computational Model of Tree Growth.”

Echt-Wilson and Zuo created a computer model that simulates how a tree will grow in varying conditions. Their research can replace long term planting experiments.

This research is both interesting and innovative, because it combines the biological and physical principles of trees with computer modeling.

“By defining the low-level rules governing the growth of the tree, the model showed that the emergent properties of these simulated trees also captured certain aspects of real trees,” said Timothy Keitt, Associate Professor in Integrated Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. “That is important because growth of trees is a means to sequester carbon from the atmosphere – meaning this tree growth can mitigate C02 pollution.”

A spokesman for New Mexico Supercomputing Challenge, Eli is an AP computer science mentor, and volunteer website designer. He also speaks two languages, and plays both soccer and tennis.

“I am excited about applications of machine learning to scientific problems and the everyday world,” explained Eli.

In addition to coaching middle school Mathcounts, Albert speaks two languages and plays tennis and chess.

“I like making the world a more interesting place,” said Albert. “Stuff that we used to see only in science fiction can now become a reality.”

The biggest challenge that faced the team was fixing the bugs that would arise each time new biological factors were introduced.

The team is grateful for the support they received from their shared mentor Dr. Sean Hammond, University of New Mexico.

Regional Finalists

The remaining Regional Finalists each received a $1,000 scholarship. Regional Finalists in the individual category were:

• Venkata Macha, Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, Montgomery, Alabama
• Yuyan Mai, Memorial High School, Houston, Texas
• Vincent Tang, Los Alamos High School, Los Alamos, New Mexico
• Jianing Xie, A&M Consolidated High School, College Station, TX

Team Regional Finalists were:

• Scarlett Guo, Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon, CA; Laura Pang, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
• Agni Kumar, Milton High School, Milton, GA; Patricia Chang, Milton High School, Milton, GA
• Napasorn Kuprasertkul, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX; Sumedha Mehta, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX; Akash Wadawadigi, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
• Susmitha Sayana, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX; Gerald Hu, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX; Sanchit Sachdeva, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX

The Siemens Competition

This year marks the 15th Anniversary of the Siemens Competition, the nation’s premier research competition for high school students. A record 4,428 students registered for this year’s competition and submitted a total of 1,784 projects for consideration – a 12% increase over the number of projects submitted last year. 408 students were named semifinalists and 97 were named regional finalists, representing 38 states. Entries are judged at the regional level by esteemed scientists from six leading research universities which host the regional competitions: California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Notre Dame and The University of Texas at Austin.

For news and announcements about the Regional Competitions and the National Finals, follow us on Twitter @SFoundation (#SiemensComp) and like us on Facebook at SiemensFoundation.

About the Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation supports educational initiatives in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology and Siemens Science Day. The Foundation’s mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens’ U.S. companies. For further information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org or follow @sfoundation.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools and primary schools in England, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Photos of winners available on request.

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