Anika Chebrolu is a 14-year-old teenager, educated in Frisco, Texas, who has conducted research on the Sars-Cov-2 virus.
Anika’s journey
Basically, Anika’s research focused on the flu. Following a severe attack of infection last year, she was “drawn” to the search for an effective cure for the influenza virus. She then redirected them to the Sars-Cov-2 virus, when it started causing the pandemic. She wanted to check if this coronavirus could be made weaker or if it could be, ideally, deactivated by an outside molecule. She therefore tried to make combinations, from 700 chemical components. She found “a protein which, by attaching itself to the virus molecule, cancels its viral action. ”
Best young scientist of the year
The young Indian-American presented her project via a presentation, supplemented by diagrams, graphs and tables, in front of the jury of the Challenge 3M, in the United States. She has shown a disconcerting maturity. His work has been recognized with the designation of “best young scientist of the year”And a bonus of $ 25,000. This proves that her research is relevant and that she has mastered her subject. It used an “in-silico” methodology (test carried out thanks to complex computerized calculations), for the discovery of an anti-viral drug. The aim was to find a molecule that can “selectively bind to the Spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an attempt to find a cure for the COVID-19 pandemic”. It now hopes to continue the development of its drug candidate through in vitro and in vivo tests with the help of experts. When asked where she sees herself in 15 years, unsurprisingly, she hopes to become a medical researcher and professor.
