| Biography |
|---|
| Varsha Jayasankar is a junior at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in St. Catharines. She was born in the United States, before moving to Canada in 2002. Her major interest is our environment, the central theme of her science fair projects since grade 6. She has won many accolades and awards in science fairs, including silver at the 2012 CWSF, Best Commercialization Potential at the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge 2012 and a gold medal at the 2013 NRSEF. Varsha’s efforts helped her win the Elementary Age Environmentalist award in the Niagara region in 2009. She is in numerous philanthropic activities such as fundraising to facilitate eye surgeries to the less-fortunate in India and donating to orphanages. Music is also one of Varsha’s interests, as she is in Grade 8 piano and is a member of her high school’s orchestra, playing the violin. She also is a member of her school's Reach team, qualifying for the Ontario Provincial Championships. Varsha is also a member of her school’s gymnastics team, specializing on the balance beam and vault. Varsha's other interests include drama and dance. With a 96% average, Varsha plans to attend University, pursuing a degree in biological science. |
| Varsha Jayasankar
Identification of Novel Anti-Microbial Compounds in Curcuma amada
| Challenge: | Discovery | | Category: | Senior | | Region: | Niagara | | City: | St. Catharines, ON | | School: | Sir Winston Churchill | | Abstract: | Due to recent outbreaks of antibiotic resistant bacteria, new alternative drugs are being researched. This project researches an extract created from mango ginger, titled "CACE" (Curcuma Amada Chloroform Extract), and its use against plant and human pathogenic bacteria. CACE is extremely effective in inhibiting the growth of two plant and two human pathogens. Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry was used to identify antimicrobial compound(s). |
| Awards | Value | The Manning Innovation Achievement Award
Sponsor: Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation | $500.00 | Challenge Award - Discovery
Senior
Sponsor: Youth Science Canada | $1 000.00 | Excellence Award - Senior
Gold Medal
Sponsor: Youth Science Canada | $700.00 | Dalhousie University Faculty of Science Entrance Scholarship
Senior Gold Medallist - $5000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Dalhousie University, Faculty of Science | $5 000.00 | UBC Science (Vancouver) Entrance Award
Senior Gold Medallist - $4000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: The University of British Columbia (Vancouver) | $4 000.00 | University of Manitoba Entrance Scholarship
Senior Gold Medallist - $5000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Manitoba | $5 000.00 | University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship
Senior Gold Medallist - $4,000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: University of Ottawa | $4 000.00 | Western University Scholarship
Gold Medallist - $4000 Entrance Scholarship
Sponsor: Western University | $4 000.00 | | Total | $24 200.00 | |
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