BRI Award Winners, California State Science Fair 2016

Senior Division: First Place, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Anna J. Lou, Grade 11 (center)

Closing the Achievement Gap in STEM:
Effect of Prior Knowledge on Guidance in
Technology-Based Student-Centered Learning

Advisor: Dr. Susanne Jaeggi
School: Oxford Academy, Cypress, Orange County

Senior Division: Second Place, Toxicology

Isha Mehrotra & Rohan Mehrotra, twins, Grade 10 (left & right)

Novel Interactions between Parkinson's Risk Genes and a-synuclein Reveal Disease Mechanisms and Pathway-Based Therapies

Advisor: Mr. Jason Lee
School: Lynbrook High School, San Jose, Santa Clara County

Senior Divsion: Second Place, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Henry G. Low, Grade 11 (left)

Assessing the Effectiveness of Virtual Psychotherapies for OCD by Developing a Novel Software Application

Advisor: Ms. Andrea Adams
School: Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, Rocklin, Placer County

Senior Division: Special Recognition, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

Vardhaan S. Ambati, Grade 11 (left)

A Permutable Nanotherapeutic Using Engineered CRISPR/Cas9: A Personalized Treatment for Cancer Heterogeneity and Viruses

Advisor: Dr. Thuy Anh Nguyen
School: Mitty (Archbishop) High School, San Jose, Santa Clara County

Senior Division: Special Recognition, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

Daniel D. Zhang, Grade 10 (center)

Developing a Low Cost Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis for Genetic Disorders

Advisor: Ms. My Ingram
School: Westview High School, San Diego, San Diego County

Junior Division: First Place, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Alina V. Pollner, Grade 8 (center) with BRI Director Chris Evans (right)

Electronic Media vs Paper: Effect on Teenagers’ Reading Comprehension

Advisor: Ms. Naomi Clum
School: Carmel Valley Middle School, San Diego, San Diego County

Junior Division: Fourth Place, Toxicology

Rena N. Maduro, Grade 8 (right) with BRI Director Chris Evans

The Effects of Stimulants and Depression on the Roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans

Advisor: Dr. Morris Maduro
School: Riverside STEM Academy, Riverside, Riverside County

Junior Division: Honorable Mention, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Mahnur A. Bharucha, Grade 8 (center) with BRI Director Chris Evans (left)

Wonder Pets: The Effects of Animal Assisted Therapy on Children with Autism

Advisor: Mrs. Mariam Rangoonwala
School: Institute of Knowledge, Diamond Bar, Los Angeles County

Junior Division: Special Recognition Award, Zoology

Makena M. Crimaldi, Grade 7 (center) with BRI Director Chris Evans (left)

Shark Stopper: The Use of Samarium and Magnesium to Prevent Shark Attacks

Advisor: Ms. Debbie Culley
School: Santa Fe Christian Community School, Solana Beach, San Diego County

Junior Division: Special Recognition, Toxicology

Aarzu Gupta & Maya S. Shukla, Grade 8 (right, left) with BRI Director Chris Evans

A Test of the Mutagenic and Carcinogenic Potential of Nicotine-Free Electronic Cigarette Additives

Advisor: Dr. Thomas Artiss
School: Harker (The) School, San Jose, Santa Clara County