QHS science research students excel at regional competition, advance to state

QUINCY — The Quincy High School Science Research Class and Club demonstrated outstanding achievement at the Regional Science Fair on March 22, with eight out of nine projects advancing to the state competition.

Diya Nanjappa, whose project was “A Field Study Examining Factors Involved in Oak Decline in Exotic Oaks Growing in North America,” received a Student Award for Geoscience Excellence, NASA Earth System Science Project Award, United States Metric Association Award, Science Coach Highest-Placing High School Science Coach Student and first place Best in Show.

Nanjappa’s first in show award allows her to compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) competition in Columbus, Ohio. She is the first student from Quincy High School to participate in ISEF.

Issa Geisendorfer presented “Bacteriophage Bandages: A Restorative Solution to Antibiotic-Resistant Infections” and earned the Air Force Certificate of Achievement and $375 Regeneron Biomedical Science Award.

Partners Xavier Richardson and Camdon Bowen were recognized for their project “Microplastics effect on regeneration of growth of Planaria” with the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award and Stockholm Junior Water Prize for Regionals.

Tamim Nusrat secured third Best in Show for his project “Exploring the Effects of the Properties in Dragon Fruit on the Amyloid Beta Protein in Reducing the Rate of the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Nishtah Patel, Nitya Patel, Medha Pujar, Anish Podaralla, Anshu Podaralla and Anika Reddy earned Blue Ribbons and will advance to the state competition.

A special recognition goes to Christopher Tu for his participation in the competition.

The state competition will be held at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana on May 2-3.

The Science Research Class was introduced this year. The club has been thriving for four years, continuing to foster excellence in scientific exploration.