Indian-American Teen Wins Top Intel Science Prize
WHO: NITHIN REDDY TUMMA
WHY: Dubbed the “Junior Nobel” and worth $100,000, the top prize in 2012 went to Nithin for research that could lead to more effective, less toxic breast cancer treatment. His analysis of molecular mechanisms in cancer cells showed that inhibiting certain proteins slows the growth and potency of these malignant cells.
WORTH knowing: In his high school class of 332, Nithin stood first. Last year he got a Best of Category award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. All Best of Category winners had an asteroid named in their honor. Nithin started a restoration project at the Port Huron Museum in Michigan, and he plays tennis at the varsity level.
WHERE: Aged 17, Nithin is a senior at Port Huron Northern High School.
WHAT else: The top 10 awardees this year include two other Indian-Americans: Neel Patel and Anirudh Prabhu. Neel (6th place) of Florida showed how sound patterns not based on speech can redefine the use of computers. And Anirudh (7th place) of Indiana did research to establish that odd perfect numbers do not exist.Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
