An Oak Park and River Forest High School senior made school history in a competition entered by approximately 1,900 students from more than 600 high schools across five countries.
Nadya Dhillon is the first student at OPRFHS to be named a Regeneron Science Talent Search scholar in the 80-plus years of the competition, officials announced in a news release.
“I am extremely proud of Nadya’s accomplishment,” Superintendent Greg Johnson said in the release.
Dhillon is one of only five students from Illinois to earn the recognition in the competition sponsored by the nonprofit Society for Science, the release states.
“It took hard work, dedication and perseverance to reach this extraordinary achievement. On behalf of our entire Huskie family, I commend her and all those who helped support her success,” Johnson said in the release.
Dhillon is one of only 300 students selected as scholars and joins a group of Regeneron Science Talent Search alumni who have gone on to received other accolades, including Fields medals, MacArthur fellowships and Nobel prizes, the release states.
“I was in my Economics class when I found out and I immediately texted my parents,” Dhillon said in the release.
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The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition, recognizing the most promising young scientists who do rigorous research to find innovative solutions to significant global challenges, the release states.
“It truly means so much to receive this honor. Words cannot express my gratitude for my work being rewarded and exposed to an expanded audience,” Dhillon said in the release.
Her research project was titled “The Effect of a Novel Biomedical Technique on Reprocessing of Duodenoscopes Using Silver Nitrate and Methylene Blue Irradiated With Red Light.”
“I tested different concentrations of silver nitrate and red light-activated methylene blue solutions and found that they are very effective in killing bacteria on models of surgical devices,” Dhillon said in the release.
She aimed to find a new way to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria that often form on surgical devices, which could help prevent infections after these devices are used in surgery, the release states.
“Because these devices are notably difficult to sterilize, especially when contaminated with resistant bacteria, finding a new method to both easily sterilize them and combat multidrug-resistance bacteria were my two goals,” Dhillon said in the release.
Dhillon, who plans on majoring in biology and anthropology in college before continuing to medical school, currently is enrolled in her second year of Investigative Research Design and Innovation at OPRFHS, the release states.
“Nadya has a passion and dedication for her research that shines when she talks about her work, and she is meticulous, driven and patient, which are important characteristics of a scientific researcher,” Allison Hennings, who teaches Investigative Research Design and Innovation, said in the release.
Students in the course spend a school year designing and implementing a unique research project, the release states.
Hennings noted in the release how challenging it is for anyone to pursue back-to-back yearlong research projects but said Dhillon “has trudged full speed ahead, smiling, with bravery and a sense of confidence.”
“Becoming a semifinalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search is just the start of the impact she will undoubtedly have on our world,” Hennings, a science teacher, said in the release.
Scholars were chosen for their research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as science, technology, engineering and mathematics leaders, the release states.
Additionally, each scholar is awarded $2,000 and his or her school receives an additional $2,000, the release states.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.