Hathaway Brown senior Kavya Ravichandran of Westlake has been named the only finalist in the state of Ohio in the Society for Science and the Public’s Intel Science Talent Search competition. The Intel STS is one of the nation’s most prestigious math and science competitions and rewards rigorous original research conducted by high school seniors. Kavya has been recognized for her work in Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, where her research is helping to develop a targeted therapy for heart attack, stroke, and other vascular diseases. She worked in the laboratory of Dr. Anirban Sen Gupta under the mentorship of post-doctoral fellow Dr. Christa Pawlowski.
Until today, she was one of only two Intel 2016 semifinalists in Ohio. She also is the only girl in the state to be recognized by both the Siemens Foundation Competition and Intel STS for her work this school year. In October, Kavya was named a semifinalist in the 2015 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology for her multiyear original research project conducted through HB’s signature Science Research & Engineering Program.
HB’s SREP is a four-year elective course of study offered through the school's Institute for 21st Century Education. The program, which was founded in 1998, places students in innovative research settings, where they work directly with practicing scientists. Kavya’s Intel semifinalist status brings the number of Intel and Siemens competition semifinalist/finalist designations for HB SREP students to an impressive 160. HB is honored to have more Intel Science Talent Search finalists than all other schools in Ohio combined in the last 18 years.
As an Intel finalist, Kavya has been awarded $7,500 prize for herself, a $1,000 prize for the SREP, and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. in March, which includes a visit to the White House and a meeting with President Barack Obama.
On March 15, winners will receive additional awards totaling more than $1 million at a black-tie gala and dinner.
Congratulations, Kavya!