Blog Archives
BIO Buzz: Two Massachusetts Students to Compete in 2013 BioGENEius Science Fair!
Congratulations to our two BioGENEius Challenge contestants, Adrian Haber and Rahi Punjabi!
The BioGENEius Challenges are national and international competitions for high school students that recognize excellence in original research in biotechnology. The Challenges, organized by the Biotechnology Institute, are prestigious science competitions with significant cash prizes awarded to the winners.
Selected winners of BioGENEius Challenges compete and present their research posters and oral presentations in front of a panel of biotech judges at the 2013 BIO International Convention. The students are evaluated on their scientific merit and creative ability, project execution, and poster/oral presentation.
Meet the Massachusetts Contestants:
Adrian Haber, is a tenth grade student of Boston Latin School. Haber’s biochemistry-based project is titled “Testing the Effectiveness of Liposomal Nanoparticle Delivery of Oxybutynin to Reduce Bladder Spasms.” Through a novel method of using isolated pig bladders, the project tests the effectiveness of using liposomal nanoparticles to direct the delivery of medications for the treatment of overactive bladder and reduce side effects. With more than 39 million adults in the U.S. suffering from overactive bladder, Haber’s project addresses a significant problem. He concluded that when oxybutynin is contained in liposomal nanoparticles it can diffuse into bladder tissue to reduce bladder spasms.
Rahi Punjabi, is an eleventh grade students studying at Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough. Punjabi is a BioGENEius Challenge veteran, having represented Massachusetts in the 2012 Challenge with a project exploring the antibiotic potential of garlic. This year, Punjabi entered another biology-based project called “Engineering a Novel Fusion Protein Therapy for Meningococcal Infection.” The study looks at Neisseria meningitidis, a major and deadly cause of meningitis and sepsis worldwide. Punjabi concluded that fusion proteins show potential as a therapy for meningococcal infection.
BIO Buzz: Two Massachusetts Students to Compete in BioGENEius Challenge
Congratulations to our two BioGENEius Challenge contestants, Oliver Dodd and Rahi Punjabi!
Oliver Dodd of Needham High School and Rahi Punjabi of Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School worked long and hard on their submissions for the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF). As winners, they will go on to compete as part of the 2012 BIO International Convention BioGENEius Challenge.
Rahi Punjabi (15) is a tenth grade student from the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School. His biology-based project is entitled “The Role of Garlic in Attenuating Pseudomonas Infection.” This study evaluated the antibiotic potential of garlic against the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Through investigation of its antimicrobial activity, synergy with currently prescribed antibiotics, and effect on biofilm formation and bacterial communication, it was concluded that garlic in combination with tobramycin may be a promising therapy for cystic fibrosis patients.
Oliver Dodd (17) is an eleventh grade student from Needham High School. His biology-based project is entitled “Cancer Growth Regulators.” The focus of his research is to investigate how the naturally occurring proteins encapsulated in platelets are released, and how this release may be manipulated to starve tumors.
The BioGENEius Challenges are national and international competitions for high school students that recognize excellence in original research in biotechnology. The Challenges, organized by the Biotechnology Institute, are prestigious science competitions with significant cash prizes awarded to the winners.
