cardiac cells. A newer method directly
reprograms the cells by controlling the
transcription factors. Mrigayu excitedly
describes how he created complex
computer programs to data-mine microarray
databases to find the important
transcription factors to derive cardiac
cells and then found somatic cells (bone
marrow) that would be the closest starting
cell for reprogramming. We are drawn in by
his enthusiasm for data-mining, the novelty
of his methods, and potential impact on
future research.
10:30 AM – Time is flying by. I wish we
could spend more time with each project.
We continue project to project and are
intrigued by other relevant questions: A
quiet but succinct young woman asks,
“Does the Paleo diet improve metabolic
syndrome parameters?” Another young
lady examines the differences in side
effects and active/inactive ingredients
between generics and brand name
22 DALLAS MEDICAL JOURNAL • June 2020
medications (“Are brand names worth the
hype?”). Considering the widespread use
of vaping, we are intrigued by a student’s
research into genetic mutations caused by
second-hand vape ingredients.
We meet Jishnu Basu from
Plano Senior High School, who presents
“Impact of Biosynthesized Silver
Nanoparticles on Bacterial Growth.” He
effectively explains how this research was
a natural offshoot from his previous year’s
research on cystic fibrosis. Interested
in improving the ability of cystic fibrosis
patients to fight infection from antibioticresistant
bacteria, Jishnu studied the best
method to synthesize silver nanoparticles,
which are used for their antibacterial
effects. His clarity of presentation and
encapsulation of the medical relevance is
exciting to judge.
We are blown away by Parisa Vaziri
from Plano East Senior High School.
She is an impressive senior and a
master of communication who presents
“Overexpression of FOXO in PINK1
Drosophila melanogaster to Prevent
Neurodegeneration.” In order to address
the very important question regarding
neurodegeneration in the aging population,
she studied how fruit flies with a
predisposition to neurodegeneration (the
PINK1 Drosophila) would be affected by
overexpression of the FOXO gene, which
is neuroprotective. Performing all of
the experiments in her garage (which is
impressive enough), she crossed various
Drosophila with markers in order to tag
the genetic crosses. She evaluated
brain histology to see the effects of
overexpression of FOXO. She displays
impactful video of flies unable to climb
with neurodegeneration and then rapidly
climbing with the FOXO effect. She draws
us into her story by showing the relevance
of the topic of neurodegenerative disease
and the importance of this question with
our aging population. Parisa displays such
a command of the science of her genetic
experiments that she is able to explain
them to a lay audience (us!) in a very
accessible way.
11:30 AM – Regardless of our
attention to the clock, we are running
out of time. We swing by some of the
Junior projects (particularly the Artificial
Pancreas!) out of curiosity and then finish
the remainder of the In Vitro projects.
12:00 PM – Judging ends and the
students leave. Never have enough time!
We make our way back to the judges’
table. While eating lunch, we deliberate
at length about the winners. Parisa Vaziri
is our clear first place winner. Not only
was her poster presentation clean and
well organized, but she incorporated
video, which enlivened the interaction.
She was engaging, clearly communicated
the medical relevance of the scientific
questions, created a well-developed
experimental design, and executed the
entire experiment at home! We select the
organized Jishnu Basu as our secondplace
winner. To encourage their continued
good work, we give honorable mentions to
Mrigayu Ghosh and Arjun Yedavalli.
1:00 PM – We turn in our results and
are done!
Drs. Sloan, Rao, and I are intellectually
energized by the exciting experience
of interacting with enthusiastic young
scientists! Volunteering for the DCMS
special science fair award is a yearly
highlight. I’m sad to say goodbye to my
fellow judges and look forward to seeing
them next year. Back to clinical medicine,
the hospital, and rounds... DMJ