Up and Coming UAMS-trained Researchers Excel at Local Competitions
| High school students working on research projects at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) are a continuing example of UAMS’ commitment to expanding opportunities in biomedical sciences.
Nyera Ali, Akshara Chevireddy, Carmella Lewis, and Meera Patel studying under the supervision of scientists and graduate students in the College of Medicine Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, have been recognized at local science fairs and earned the right to display their talents on a larger scale.
Carmella Lewis of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts was the second-place finisher in West Central Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
Ali, Chevireddy and Lewis qualified for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international STEM research competition for high school students, scheduled for May 10-16 in Columbus, Ohio. Patel was selected for the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium STEM competition in Chantilly, Virginia.
Ali and Chevireddy, students at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, are conducting research on the efficiency of precise genome editing. Their work earned them a third-place finish in the Cellular and Molecular Biology division during the Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair at the University of Arkansas Little Rock on Feb. 28. The pair followed with a first-place award in Microbiology at the Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair, held at the University of Central Arkansas on April 4-5.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Nyera and Akshara for the last two years, and the opportunity to mentor such talented and enthusiastic students has been special,” said Reine Protacio, Ph.D., who supervised the two in the lab of Professor Wayne Wahls, Ph.D. “Hopefully their time in the lab will encourage them to pursue careers in science.”
Lewis, an Alma teen who attends the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA) in Hot Springs, is researching the development of a method to identify inhibitors of a protein that is a target for cancer therapy. She won first place in the Cellular and Molecular Biology division and second place overall in the West Central Regional Science and Engineering Fair at ASMSA on Feb. 27-28. Lewis was the second-place finisher in the ISEF Finalist category at the Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair.
Graduate student Ben May mentored Lewis in the lab of Assistant Professor Alicia Byrd, Ph.D.
“Carmella is one of the most enthusiastic, hard-working, and curious students I have encountered. It was a privilege to work with her, and I’m glad we could provide her this research opportunity,” said Byrd. “She performed her research over the course of year, which required significant dedication as she commuted nearly two hours each way to campus.”
ASMSA’s Meera Patel won a first-place award at the Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair.
ASMSA student Patel studied in the lab of Professor Robert Eoff, Ph.D., and was mentored by graduate students Bethany Paxton and Reham Sewilam in researching novel ways to battle cancer risks. Patel won first place in the Medicine and Health Science category at the Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair, was awarded a Naval Science Award from the Office of Naval Research and came in fifth at the Arkansas Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.
“Meera did a fantastic job on her project. While working with my team she exhibited traits I’ve found to be important for success in science — initiative, professionalism, perseverance, and a strong work ethic,” Eoff said. “These are characteristics I’ve come to expect from our partnership with ASMSA. It was definitely a team effort, and I am grateful for everyone’s contribution. I know we’re all super excited to see what the future holds for her.”