Eight Academy students competed in the 2024 New Mexico State Science and Engineering Fair, following months of work as they developed a research plan, conducted their work, and presented their findings. Their research received recognition and prizes in a variety of categories.
Making a Faster Stealth Bomber
Julian N’getich ’30, Junior Division
– Jaynes Corporation Award
Analysis of Insulative Effectiveness as a Function of Polystyrene Foam Density
Eddy Bielejec ’28, Junior Division
– Honorable mention, State Science Fair, engineering category
– Honorable mention, Central NM Science Fair, engineering category
– CO2 & Greenhouse Gas Reduction Award
– Abrazo Homes Award
– Regional Research Challenge Junior Encouragement Award
Generational Impact of Microplastics on Tomato Plants
Ahana Koushik ’28, Junior Division
– 2nd place, State Science Fair, plant science category
– Honorable mention, Central NM Science Fair, earth and environmental sciences category
– ThermoFisher Outstanding Project
– American Association of University Women Young Scientist Award
– Creative Application of Science and Engineering Award
– Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum Award
– Lemelson Early Inventor Prize
– Metro Commercial Realty Award
– Nancy Schmierbach Award
– Regional Research Challenge Junior Encouragement Award
– Richard Bild Memorial Research Challenge Award
Analyzing the Origins of Microplastics in Honey
Audrey Finkelstein ’27, Senior Division
– Richard Bild Memorial Research Challenge Award
Generalization of Object Detection for Multiple Species in Drone Images Using a Fine-Tuned Machine Learning Model
Sowmya Sankaran ’27, Senior Division
– 1st place, State Science Fair, math, computer science & technology category
– Grand award winner, Central NM Science Fair (includes all-expense paid trip to International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles)
– 1st place, Central NM Science Fair, computer and mathematical science category
– Network for Women in Science & Engineering Award
– Nusenda Credit Union Award
– RKL Sales Award
– Sandia Grotto Award
– Enchanted Lens Camera Club
Machine Learning Approaches to Determine Clinicopathologic Factors for Prediction of Immune Infiltration in Melanoma
Arjun Ganesh ’25, Senior Division
– 1st place, State Science Fair, biomedical and health sciences category
– Grand award winner, NM Tech State Science and Engineering Fair (includes all-expense paid trip to International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles)
– 1st place, Central NM Science Fair, biomedical and health sciences category
– International Science and Engineering Fair qualifier
– Regeneron Biomedical Science Award
– CO2 & Greenhouse Gas Reduction Award
– Clay T. Smith Award for Practical Applications
– Dr. Donald Partridge Memorial Neuroscience Award
– Richard Bild Memorial Research Challenge Award
– University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Award
Modeling Chronic Cadmium Exposure Effects on Epithelial Cell Migration
Dhruv Grandhe ’25, Senior Division
– 1st place, State Science Fair, biology and plant sciences category
– 3rd place, Central NM Science Fair, biology and biochemistry category
– International Science and Engineering Fair alternate
– University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Award
Analyzing Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances Through Atomistic Simulations
Akilan Sankaran ’25, Senior Division
– Grand award winner, Central NM Science Fair (includes all-expense paid trip to International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles)
– 1st place, Central NM Science Fair, chemistry category
– American Chemical Society Award
– Klinger Constructors LLC Award
– WaFd Award
