Indian-American student wins prize for potential Covid treatment

Anika Chebrolu, an eighth grade student from Texas has developed a molecule to hinder a certain protein of the coronavirus to prevent it from functioning. The 14 year old Indian-American was awarded the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge and won a $25,000 prize for her research that could provide a potential therapy for the coronavirus.

Anika battled severe influenza infection last year and it motivated her to find a cure for influenza. She was also awarded an exclusive 3M Mentorship. She worked with 3 M Corporate Scientist Dr. Mahfusa Ali and dreams of becoming a medical researcher and professor. Her next goal is to work with the scientists and researchers to control the morbidity and mortality of the pandemic by developing her findings into an actual cure for the virus.