An eighth grader from Texas is being hailed after developing what could transpire to be a potential COVID-19 treatment … and winning $25,000 in the process.
As per reports, 14-year-old Anika Chebrolu, of Frisco, won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her role in creating a molecule that could potentially hinder parts of the virus.
Speaking on her work, Anika said: “It’s exciting. I’m still trying to process everything. I developed this molecule that can bind to a certain protein on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. … By binding to it, it will stop the function of the protein.”
Impressively, the 14-year-old had been focusing her efforts on the season flu in the beginning, but changed her approach after the coronavirus crisis struck.
The New York Post say Anika used computer programs to identify how and where the molecule would bind to the virus.
“My grandpa, when I was younger, he always used to push me toward science,” she said.
“He was actually a chemistry professor, and he used to always tell me learn the periodic table of the elements and learn all these things about science, and over time, I just grew to love it.”
As per reports, The Young Scientist Challenge is a competition ran by middle-schoolers by companies Discovery Education and 3M.
Latest figures show, somewhat alarmingly, that over 8,19 million Americans have so far tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in 220,000 deaths.
It remains extremely important to listen to the experts and follow the relevant guidelines moving forward, if not for your own safety then for the safety of others.
In this regard, I think what Anika has done – and at only 14 years old – is nothing short of remarkable.
Please share this article to praise this little girl, and to remind others to proceed with caution with respect to COVID-19.
