A
14-year-old Indian-American girl, Anika Chebrolu, was conferred US$ 25,000 in
prize money for a discovery that
could provide a potential treatment for COVID-19 in a young scientist challenge, as per a PTI report.

Anika
Chebrolu, an eighth-grade student from Frisco in Texas, emerged victorious in
the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Her work makes use of in-silico methodology
for drug discovery to locate molecules that can selectively combine to the
spike of SARS-COV-2 virus, thereby attempting to find a cure for the novel
coronavirus pandemic, the American manufacturing company based in Minnesota,
said on its website.

Chebrolu
wanted to find an effective cure to influenza following her fight with the
disease, last year. Her decision to participate in the competition came
following her bout with the COVID-19 disease.

The 14-year old stated, “I was drawn towards
finding effective cures for influenza disease after a severe bout of the
infection last year.”

“I would
like to learn more from 3M scientists to pursue my drug development and with
their help, would like to conduct in-vitro and in-vivo testing of my lead drug
candidate,” she said.

Also Read | ‘I was absolutely not surprised Donald Trump had COVID-19’: Medical expert Fauci

One among
the 10 finalist in the tournament, was also awarded this year’s 3M Young
Scientist Exclusive Mentorship. As a finalist she has already worked with 3M
Corporate Scientist  Dr Mahfuza Ali. The
duo worked together in summer to materialise on the idea.

“I am extremely humbled at being selected America’s Top Young
Scientist as all of the finalists had amazing projects and were extremely
well-rounded individuals,” said after winning the award.

Chebrolu, who wishes to become a medical researcher and a professor,
said, “Science is the basis of life and the entire universe and we have a
long way to go understand it fully.”

The judge of the competition Dr Cindy Moss, told CNN, that Chebrolu “has an inquisitive
mind and used her curiosity to ask questions about a vaccine for COVID-19.”

Chebrolu however, refuses to budge and says her work is far from done. The 14-year-old added that she now wishes to fight “control the morbidity and
mortality.”

The teenager wishes to collaborate with top scientists
and researchers to create an actual cure for the disease.