SCIENCE

of individual cells.

“How celiac disease occurs [is] by cells recognizing an amino acid sequence and causing an immune response,” said Avinash. “Cytokine Assay is measuring immune response.”

Between the biotechnology program at Rock Canyon and working with mentors at the lab, Avinash learned how to write and document in a legal lab notebook, pipette, do gel electrophoresis and run analyzers.

According to Avinash, the lactate pill has speci c enzymes that are able to break down milk and sugar. rough Avinash’s lengthy research, she found three enzymes that work e ectively in di erent environments that break down gluten proteins.

“My hope is that these enzymes can be used to make some kind of pill for gluten intolerance and for celiac disease,” said Avinash.

As COVID restrictions were lifted, the competition was fully back this year and Avinash had nearly 80 people competing in her category, transitional medicine.

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While standing at her booth, waiting for judges to come by, Avinash got to know the people next to her.

“I got to learn so much about di erent aspects of the eld we’re studying, but the interesting thing about the medical eld and, I guess, science in general is even though a lot of projects are clumped under a broad sphere, each project in that broad sphere is so di erent,” said Avinash.

Looking forward, Avinash wants to continue her research during her senior year of high school. And although she is not certain where she wants to attend college, Avinash is thankful for the Arizona State University scholarship.

Inspired by her love of research and medicine, Avinash aspires to become a MD-PhD as she believes some of the best doctors are those who have both the clinical aspect and compassion as well as the research knowledge about conditions and treatments.

“I think the reason I love the eld of medicine and the eld of research is it’s a eld that is constantly evolving and changing,” said Avinash. “And as someone who just loves learning, I just love the eld of medicine, so I just want to be completely involved in it to every extent possible.”

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