FRISCO (WBAP/KLIF News) – A North Texas teenager has joined the ranks of scientists who are racing to find a treatment for the coronavirus.
14-year-old Anika Chebrolu of Frisco won the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge, and a $25,000 prize, for a discovery that could lead to a potential therapy for COVID-19.
According to the 3M Young Scientist Lab, Anika’s award-winning invention used in-silico methodology for drug discovery to find a molecule that can selectively bind to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
She told the lab she’s been interested in science experiments since her childhood but a situation last year made her desire even stronger.
“I was drawn towards finding effective cures for influenza disease after a severe bout of the infection last year. I would like to learn more from 3M scientists to pursue my drug development and with their help, would like to conduct in-vitro and in-vivo testing of my lead drug candidate,” she said.
She said her hope is to be a medical researcher and professor.
When news of Chebrolu’s award spread, she received an outpouring of support on social media.
Congrats to #AnikaChebrolu 14-yr old girl of Texas (whose family originally hails from AP) for winning the @3M #YoungScientist award & USD 25K cash prize for excellent research which helps in the #COVID19 Vaccine. Best wishes to Anika for a great future in Science. @ChebroluAnika pic.twitter.com/Fc2qeTkymG
— S. Rajiv Krishna (@RajivKrishnaS) October 20, 2020
A fantastic accomplishment! Congratulations to Anika and her family. Making the Indian-American community proud! #AnikaChebrolu https://t.co/4cwdtvSnCQ
— Ajit Pai (@AjitPaiFCC) October 20, 2020
Congratulations Anika Chebrolu! The 14-year-old #IndianAmerican student wins the 2020 #YoungScientist Challenge and $25,000 for a discovery that may help provide a potential treatment for COVID-19. #DostiUnitesUs #WomenInSTEM pic.twitter.com/ZeUSp7VE5q
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) October 20, 2020
Since the pandemic hit the United States in March, more than eight million Americans have been infected and almost 220,000 have died.
The World Health Organization reports more than 1.1. million people have died worldwide since China reported its first case to the WHO last December.
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