10 Indian-American among 40 Intel science finalists

These 40 students were selected from 300 semifinalists and more than 1,700 entrants to compete in Washington, DC from March 7-13 for USD 630,000 in awards, with the top winner receiving USD 100,000 from the Intel Foundation.

The 10 Indian-American students include the maximum three from California -- Paulomi Bhattacharya from Cupertino, Pavan Mehrotra from Simi Valley and Sahana Vasudevan from Palo Alto.

Two Indian-Americans are from Portland in Oregon – Naomi Shah and Raghav Tripathi. The other five are Surya Bhupatiraju from Lexington in Massachusetts; Naethan Mundukur from Louisville in Kentucky; Akshay Padmanabha from Collierville in Tennessee; Raja Selvakumar from Alpharetta in Georgia; and

Mayuri Sridhar from Kings Park in New York.

"This year's Intel Science Talent Search finalists are presenting a wide range of research, from optimizing algae oil for biofuel to developing a new treatment for blood cancer," said Wendy Hawkins, executive director of the Intel Foundation.

"It's exciting for the future of innovation because the US needs these 40 high school seniors, and others like them, to question, explore and help solve some of the world¿s

greatest challenges," Hawkins said.

Young innovators chosen to participate in the Science Talent Search over the past 72 years have gone on to receive some of the world's most prestigious honors.

For example, Science Talent Search alumni have gone on to win seven Nobel Prizes, two Fields Medals, five National Medals of Science, 11 MacArthur Foundation

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