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Matthew Brownrigg
Enhancing Human Embryonic Kidney Cell Regeneration Through Transducing Exogenous Ambystoma Mexicanum Pax-7 DNA
Mentor: Kevin Gerbrick, Teaching Lab
- All-expenses-paid trip to Regeneron ISEF in Atlanta, GA
- 1st Place, DVSF
Best Zoology project for any senior in tri-state region! - 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 1st Place, BCSRC
- 1st Award, Perfect Score, PJAS State Meeting
- Outstanding Senior Award, PJAS State Meeting
For the past two years, Matthew has investigated genes that facilitate the regenerative capabilities of a type of salamander. Work in this area might unlock solutions to problems such as muscular dystrophy or breakthroughs in limb regeneration.
Matthew Brownrigg, a graduate of CB East, is now studying Computer Science with a specialization in Bioinformatics at UC San Diego.
Anushka Gattu
Evaluating Successful FDA Approved Compounds for Small Molecule Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Protease
Mentor: Kevin Gerbrick, Teaching Lab
- PJAS Director's Award for Biochemistry, PJAS State Meeting
Top award given for Biochemistry at the high school level! - 2nd Place, DVSF
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 1st Place, BCSRC
- 1st Award, Perfect Score, PJAS State Meeting
- Perseverance, PJAS State Meeting
For the past 2 years, the COVID pandemic has been taking both a mental and physical toll on people throughout the world. Millions have died, and many more have been infected.
My research focuses on inhibiting the main protease, called the 3CL protease in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This protease controls viral replication of the virus, and essential for it to function. By inhibiting this protease, it would stop the virus from functioning. Last year, I found three compounds through a florescence screen that inhibited the protease. This year, I continued with these three compounds and tested their activity through dose responses and infection assays.
Anushka Gattu is a CB South graduate who is now studying Biology at Drexel University. Anushka is on the pre-med track, part of the Drexel College of Medicine BS/MD Program.
Phoebe Vallapureddy
Targeted Production of Tartrolon from Shipworm Symbiont Teredinibacter turnerae
Mentor: Jason Clement, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute
- Honorable Mention, DVSF
- United States Metric Association Science Fair Award
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 3rd Place, BCSRC
- 1st Award, PJAS State Meeting
My project involves a bacterium from shipworms, Teredinibacter turnerae. Shipworms are a species of mollusk that are known to degrade wood on ships, and they carry a symbiotic bacterium in their gills that can degrade cellulose. This bacterium produces a compound called tartrolon. Tartrolon is known to have anti-parasitic properties, notably against all branches of the apicomplexan tree. For my particular project, I'm investigating which factors (phosphate level, working volume, etc.) best boost production of the tartrolon. Future researchers can use the results of my experiments when producing tartrolon for tests involving the compound or large-scale commercial drug development.
Phoebe, a CB East graduate, is now studying engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
Katherine He
Developing a transdermal drug delivery system for brexpiprazole
Mentor: Frank Jones, Greene Street Pharmaceuticals
- Honorable Mention, DVSF
- West Pharmaceutical Services Award of Excellence in the field of chemistry, $300
- Parenteral Drug Association Award for excellent research relating to studies with an impact on human health, $500
- United States Metric Association Science Fair Award
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 2nd Place, BCSRC
- 1st Award, PJAS State Meeting
I have been working on developing a transdermal drug delivery system for Brexpiprazole, a treatment for Schizophrenia and adjunctive therapy for Major Depressive Disorder administered through an oral tablet. The process of my project included doing API research and literature review, developing formulations with the drug and various adhesives and solvents, conducting a skin permeation study, analyzing the samples using the high-performance liquid chromatography, determining the cumulative drug delivery over time, and performing an enhancer study. The goal of my research is to create a transdermal patch with a high permeation rate and continuous drug delivery longer than the oral delivery method.
Katherine He, a CB South senior, is currently participating in the 2nd year Biotechnology Research Elective at the Center.
Dhaval Tantry
Determining Most Effective Method of Inhibiting Breast Cancer Inducing Protein RAD52
Mentor: Dr. Usha Viswanathan and Gideon Tolufashe
- 2nd Place, DVSF
- 1st Award, PJAS State Meeting
- $8000 Scholarship Offer- Penn State Eberly College of Science
- $8000 Scholarship Offer- Penn State College of Engineering
- 1st Award, PJAS Regionals
- 3rd Place, BCSRC
The project is to determine a method to inhibit the RAD52 Protein Pathway. A large library of molecules are being tested at various sites along the protein in order to determine the most viable molecule. This molecule will theoretically disrupt the shape and function of the protein allowing for the inhibition of the pathway.
Dhaval Tantry, a CB East senior, is currently participating in the 2nd year Biotechnology Research Elective at the Center.
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Makalya Kohler Will be studying biochemistry on the pre-med track at Wake Forest University. Makayla was awarded the M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust scholarship and The Dean Family Scholarship. | Anthony Sacco Attending Temple University and will major in biology. Tony was accepted into the Honors Program. | Jake Kushnir Studying physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Makalya Kohler
Anthony Sacco
Jake Kushnir
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Alicia Luo Studying mathematics at Harvey Mudd College | Phoebe Vallapureddy Attending University of Pennsylvania where she is enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. | Nicole Shaliga At the University of California Berkeley. Nicole is studying cellular and molecular biology on the pre-med track. |
Alicia Luo
Phoebe Vallapureddy
Nicole Shaliga
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Ananya Siragavarapu Attending the University of South Florida. Ananya is studying biomedical sciences. | | Nicole Hang At the University of California, San Diego studying neurobiology |
Ananya Siragavarapu
Nicole Hang
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Lucas Guernon Lucas is attending Duquesne University as a nursing major. He has earned a sizable annual scholarship. | Ethan Hardis | Nathaniel McGough Majoring in electrical engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in their Sustainably Living Learning Community |
Lucas Guernon
Ethan Hardis
Nathaniel McGough
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Srinithi Krishnamoorthy Srinithi is attending Cornell University and is majoring in computer science. | Krishnakanth Katakota Studying biochemistry and computer science at the University of Pittsburgh on a pre-medicine track. Krishna was accepted into the Honors Program. | Jerry Qin Will study Biomedical Engineering at Drexel University. |
Srinithi Krishnamoorthy
Krishnakanth Katakota
Jerry Qin
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Veronica Swartz Will study Biology/Molecular Biology at Penn State University | | Jonathan Sim Studying at Boston University. Jonathan is majoring in Biomedical Engineering. He was accepted into the Kilachand Honors College with a Distinguished Summer Research Fellowship (DSRF) |
Veronica Swartz
Jonathan Sim
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Anushka Gattu Anushka is studying biology on the pre-med track at Drexel University. She has been accepted into the BS/MD Program within the Drexel University College of Medicine. | Hridayam Priyadarshi Attending the University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign. Hridayam is majoring in electrical engineering. | Matthew Brownrigg Studying computer science with a specialization in bioinformatics at UC San Diego. |
Anushka Gattu
Hridayam Priyadarshi
Matthew Brownrigg
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Alexander Baxevanidis Has been accepted into Schreyer Honors College at Penn State and will be studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Alex received a $10,000 Braddock Scholarship from the College of Science and a $5,000 Academic Excellence Scholarship from the Honors College. | Emma Reese | Jason Rackas Attending Muhlenberg College to study math, music, and theater. Jason earned the Jake R. Revere Memorial Scholarship, the CB East Admin Scholarship, the Gerome Walton Memorial Scholarship from the American Numismatic Association, the Paideia Scholarship from the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia, and the CB Cares EF Boomerang Scholarship. |
Alexander Baxevanidis
Emma Reese
