62nd Annual STS (2002-2003)
Finalists
Michelle Rengarajan

CALIFORNIA
Michelle Rengarajan, 17, of Pasadena, studied the invasive relationship between parasitic worms (nematodes) and fruit flies for insight into the way these parasites cause tropical diseases in humans for her biochemistry project for the Intel Science Talent Search. Lymphatic filariasis, spread by the parasitic nematode, infects 120 million people worldwide. The path of parasitic infection in humans can be understood more fully knowing that the nematode's bacterial symbiont, a suppressor that makes a victim a viable host, is responsible for the successful life support of the infecting nematode. Since the fruit fly's immune response mechanism is similar to the human one, Michelle hopes her research will aid world health efforts. First in her class at Westridge School, she has served as both class and student body president. A Rensselaer medallist, she also received the Maureen O'Donnell Book Award for winning four consecutive gold medals on the National Latin Exam. Her passion for theater inspired her to establish a student-run summer theater company. The daughter of Dr. Sembiam and Kalyani Rengarajan, Michelle has perfect SAT scores and plans to study biology or biophysics in college.