64th Annual STS (2004-2005)
Finalists
Sagar Viplov Mehta

NEW YORK
Sagar Viplov Mehta, 17, of Roslyn Heights, focused on wound healing and tissue engineering for his Intel Science Talent Search project in materials science. Intrigued by the possibility of a "smart matrix" that could heal chronic wounds more effectively, he intended to optimize the properties of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels (gels in which water is the dispersion medium) used for wound healing and tissue engineering applications. He developed methods to control the elasticity and morphology of cells on HA hydrogels by modifying the mechanical and chemical properties of the hydrogel itself. He believes his methods will be used in future attempts to create an ideal wound-healing scaffold based on HA hydrogels and also to replicate human tissue in vitro on HA hydrogels. He hopes his findings will ultimately benefit millions of burn victims, diabetics and surgery patients. Recipient of numerous awards for math and science, Sagar has perfect SAT scores and is first in his class of 138 at The Wheatley School in Old Westbury. He captains the varsity tennis team, competes in track and field and is lead clarinetist in the jazz band. The son of Drs. Viplov and Falguni Mehta, he plans to attend Harvard.