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Rock Canyon student wins national science contest
Develops pill for gluten intolerance
BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Walking into the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, Aditi Avinash was overcome with nerves, but when she left, she took home an award and scholarship.
“I was absolutely shocked,” said Avinash, a Rock Canyon High School senior. “It was completely unexpected and I was over the moon.” e annual competition is the largest science competition for high school students across the globe. It has also been a program of the Society for Science for over 70 years. ere are di erent levels that students must go through in order to have the chance to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair. First student’s must com- pete at the regional level, where they can qualify to the state level.
In mid-May for three days, more than 1,500 students from more than 60 countries competed in various categories, ranging from animal sciences to behavioral and social sciences to environmental sciences. Nineteen students represented Colorado.
Avinash was one of four students representing the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair and quali ed at the regional and state level.
Avinash took rst in the Transitional Medical Science category and was awarded a special award worth $52,000 in tuition From Arizona State University during the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
Her project was a Model Validation and Preclinical Testing of Digestive Enzymes for Gluten Breakdown: A Move to Cure Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease.
While learning about enzymes and the lactate pill in a biology class during her freshman year, Avinash became curious as to why there wasn’t an option like the lactose pill for people who are gluten intolerant.
An idea sparked.
“Essentially what my project is trying to do is nd a solution for celiac gluten intolerance,” said Avinash. Avinash realized in her everyday life, there are family members and friends who have gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Although there are some solutions such as gluten free diets and gluten free sections at
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