
Arizona Bioscience Week Student Discovery Zone Goes Virtual!
Since it began in 2011, the Student Discovery Zone at the AZBio Awards has showcased the work of over 1,000 Arizona students. In 2021, we have developed a unique video based challenge format so that we can continue the tradition in the safest way possible.
Student Discovery Zone Challenge Scholarship Prizes:
High School Students:
- Technical Merit: First Place ($1,000), Second Place ($500), Third Place ($250)
- People's Choice Award based on online votes: $500.00
University Students:
- Technical Merit: First Place ($1,000), Second Place ($500), Third Place ($250)
- People's Choice Award based on online votes: $500.00
IN THE CASE OF A TIE WITHIN A CATEGORY, SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE SHARED PROPORTIONALLY BY STUDENT WINNERS.
In accordance with IRS guidelines, any individual awards of $600 or more will be reported on form 1099-Misc.
The Student Discovery Zone is presented thanks to support from:
Congratulations to the 2021 Student Award Winners!
Scroll down to watch their videos. Click on the Student Name for more information on their project.
University Category:
1st place: Francisca Grill – Prize $1,000
2nd place: Rebecca Jernigan – Prize $500
3rd place: Tucker Stuart – Prize $250 – split $125
3rd place: Hasina Shir - Prize $250 – split $125
People's Choice - Justus Nwachukwu Prize $500
High School Category:
1st place: Katherine Wei – Prize $1,000
2nd place: Hersh Nanda – Prize $500
3rd place: Saathvika Vegasina – Prize $250
People’s Choice - Chloe Rozalsky - Prize $500

Amyloid-beta Analysis and Characterization using Gel Electrophoresis
Brian Pham, Arizona State University, Undergraduate Student
This study pertains to the analysis and characterization of different species within samples of amyloid-beta 40 and amyloid-beta 42. The amyloid-beta precursor protein is secreted by cells and normally plays a vital role in the functioning of the nervous system. Read More
Creation of AD-Relevant Isogenic Lines with the Gene Editing Method CasMasTREE
Brycelyn Whitman, Arizona State University, Undergraduate Student
Since 1901, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) claims at least 5.5 million individuals each year, making it the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Read More
An Analysis of RNA Solubility in Human Spinal Cord Samples from ALS Patients
Chloe Rozalsky, Paradise Valley High School (CREST Bioscience), High School Student
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive, heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease, causes nerve cell breakdown within the brain and spinal cord. Read More
PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND BIDIRECTIONAL HYDROGENASE IN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION IN CYANOBACTERIA
Correa Wlodek and Matthew Oliwia, Grand Canyon University, Undergraduate Students
While traditional methods of hydrogen production are expensive and emit high levels of carbon dioxide, renewable bio-hydrogen production systems can be carbon neutral and less energy intensive. Read More
Development of a quantitative antigen assay to detect coccidioidal chitinase-1 (CTS1) in human serum
Francisca Grill, Arizona State University, Graduate Student
Background Coccidioidomycosis is often diagnosed with a collection of tests that rely on the patient’s ability to mount an immune response to the fungus (antibody-based diagnostics), making diagnosis of this infection challenging. Read More
Non-Linear Analysis of Collagen in Murine Ovarian Samples Using Second Harmonic Generation
Hasina Shir, University of Arizona, Undergraduate Student
Title: Feasibility of Non-Imaging Second Harmonic Generation to Identify Early Ovarian Cancer in a Murine Model Analysis of Collagen in Murine Ovarian Samples Using Second Harmonic Generation
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women. Read More
Development of a user-defined software for robust cardiomyocyte contraction analysis
Hersh Nanda, BASIS CHANDLER, High School Student
Cardiomyocytes, or cardiac muscle cells, make up heart tissue and are essential for normal cardiac function. Current research into the quantification and measurement of cardiomyocyte contraction is crucial for understanding cardiomyocyte physiology, pathology, and drug-induced response. Read More
Green Infrastructure Impacts on Carbon Cycling: Evaluating Changes in Soil Microbial Composition and Function
Isabel Ross, Cienega High School, High School Student
This project aimed to identify how the implementation of green infrastructure (GI) water harvesting systems impacts the carbon cycle by studying shifts in microbial composition and function. Read More
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY CYANOBACTERIUM ANABAENA VARIABILIS
Joseph Rice, Grand Canyon University, Undergraduate Students
Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 is a filamentous strain of cyanobacteria which separates nitrogen fixation from photosynthesis spatially by producing specialized anoxic cells called heterocysts. This study aims to characterize A. Read More
Supramolecular Assembly of Redox Proteins to form Nanowires for Ultra-Long-Range Biological Electron Transfer
Justus Nwachukwu, Arizona State University, Graduate Student
Supramolecular Assembly of Redox Proteins to form Nanowires for Ultra-Long-Range Biological Electron Transfer
J. N. Nwachukwu, M. A. Thirmurthy, J. T. Read More
Integrated Analysis of the Association Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
Katherine Wei, BASIS Chandler High School, High School Student
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the sixth leading cause of death in the US, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the first leading cause of death in the US, are frequently associated. Read More
Data Analysis for Frequency of Terms Indicating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Marina Hu, BASIS Chandler High School
Behavior, Anorexia, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in ASD Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
In the US, boys are four times more likely to get diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than girls. Read More
UPTAKE HYDROGENASE IN CYANOBACTERIA
Morgan Snider, Grand Canyon University. Undergraduate Student
Photoautotrophic prokaryotic cyanobacteria are ideal models for microbial hydrogen production. Hydrogen is produced by nitrogenase and bidirectional hydrogenase. Uptake hydrogenase reduces the net gain of H2 through oxidation. The two genes that encode the subunits of uptake hydrogenase are hupS and hupL. Read More
Gray Matter Volumetric Differences in Healthy Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Nathaniel Gallegos, University of Arizona, Graduate Student
It is well-documented that gray matter volume decreases in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Gray matter volumes have been shown to be correlated with disease progression and cognitive deficits. Read More
Structural and functional studies of prophylactic drug target, NendoU, from SARS-CoV-2 for time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography and rational drug design
Rebecca Jernigan, Arizona State University, Graduate Student
Nonstructural protein 15 (Nsp15) is a Uridine specific nidoviral endoribonuclease (often called NendoU) from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Investigating the MS4A1 and MFN2 genes’ correlation with mTORC2 in Melanoma
Saathvika Vegasina, Paradise Valley High School High School, High School Student
Metastasis is the spread of cancer in the host’s body. Cell migration is a major part of cancer metastasis. Read More
Biosymbiotic, Personalized and Digitally Manufactured Wireless Devices for Indefinite Collection of High-Fidelity Biosignals.
Tucker Stuart, University of Arizona, Graduate Student
Digital medicine, the ability to measure heath status precisely and continuously, is pivotal for the next generation of devices aimed at disease diagnosis, management, and treatment. Read More