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Anika Chebrolu, a 14-year-old girl from Frisco, Texas, won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and received a $ 25,000 award for a discovery that may aid in the development of a potential therapy for Covid-19. , Published CNN.
Anika’s award-winning invention uses “in silico” methodology, that is, a computer simulation, to reveal a molecule that can connect to the protein spike (also known as the “spike protein”) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“In the last two days, I realized that there was a commotion in the media surrounding my project, mainly because it involves the SARS-CoV-2 virus and reflects our collective hopes of ending this pandemic, and I, like everyone, I would like to return to normal life soon, ”Anika told CNN.
The new coronavirus has caused more than 1 million deaths worldwide since China reported the first case of the disease to the World Health Organization (WHO) in December.
Anika, who is an American of Indian descent, introduced her project when she was in the eighth grade, but was not yet focused on finding a cure for Covid-19.
Initially, the goal was to use computer simulations to identify a component that could connect to the proteins of the influenza virus.
“After spending so much time researching pandemics, viruses, and drug discovery, it was crazy to realize that I was experiencing something like this,” he said.
“Due to the immense severity of the Covid-19 pandemic and the drastic impacts it has had on the world in such a short time, I, with the help of my mentor, changed the direction of the project to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus. “. (Information from CNN)
