WV State Science Fair Winner Places in International Fair

The grand prize winner of the West Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair held in March at Fairmont State University placed in the top five in international competition.

One grand prize winner was selected to advance to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in San Jose, Calif., during the week of May 9-14. The grand prize included airfare, ground transportation and lodging for the participant and an adult academic chaperon. The cost of display shipping was also covered.

The winning project belonged to Swetha Doppalapudi, a sophomore from Morgantown High School. Her entry was part of the Botany category, and was titled "Does Azadirachta indica affect the motility and life cycle of Meloidogyne incognita?".

Swetha returned from San Jose with the fourth place honors in her category of Plant Sciences. This award is accompanied with a monetary prize. She said she is excited to continue her pursuits in the sciences for next year's fair.

The West Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair was sponsored by the West Virginia Research Fund administered by the Division of Science and Research and the West Virginia Academy of Science. For additional information on the 2011 WVSSEF, interested individuals can visit http://www.fairmontstate.edu/academics/collegeofscitech/wvssef.asp.  

Sixty-six students in grades nine through 12 representing 16 high schools from across the state participated in the March event.  There were thirteen categories for the entries: Behavioral & Social Science; Botany; Computer Science; Engineering; Mathematics; Microbiology; Zoology; Biochemistry; Chemistry; Earth & Space Science; Environmental Sciences; Medicine & Health; Physics.

 

Pictured in the center are the winner, Swetha Doppalapudi, and her advisor, Dr. James Kotcon.

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