Leander ISD students earned top honors at the Texas Science & Engineering Fair, held March 28–29 in College Station. After advancing through regional competitions earlier this spring, these students showcased innovative research projects at the state-level event in several categories.

A team from Vista Ridge High School — Gabriella Thiakos, Rikita Veluru, and Aliza Azam — earned 3rd place for their project exploring potential treatments for Huntington’s Disease using microscopic organisms called C. elegans. The group was inspired by Veluru’s late grandmother, who had Parkinson’s Disease, another neurodegenerative disorder.

Motivated by the high cost and limited treatment options for these diseases, the students focused on identifying accessible and affordable prevention methods. “Currently, there is no cure for Huntington’s Disease, and prevention methods are often extremely expensive,” Veluru explained. “This motivated us to investigate alternatives that could be available to everyone.”

Their research showed promising results using microorganisms as a model, which could have broader impacts on the treatment of similar diseases. “Huntington’s Disease is closely related to other neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and ALS,” said Thiakos. “Using the same methodology as our experiment this year can allow for investigations into more supplemental treatments for all sorts of preventive and proactive medications.”

In addition to their biological research, the team is developing a coding program to analyze data from the microorganisms. This tool could be applied to future experiments across various scientific disciplines.

The students credited their success to strong support from their science teachers at Vista Ridge — Mrs. Kyle, Mr. Hoffman, and Mrs. Christman. “They’ve constantly encouraged us and provided both guidance and materials to make this experience meaningful,” Thiakos said. “The lessons we learned in their classes laid the foundation for our project.”

Even while completing important work, the students are able to have fun and make meaningful connections with each other and even students from other LISD schools along the way. “My favorite part of this project was working with my good friends, Gabriella and Aliza,” Veluru said. “We connected with others who share our passion for science, like Sahana from Vandegrift, who placed third at state in biochemistry.” 

Competing at the State Science Fair also gave the students access to other enriching opportunities like the Night at the ZACH event, a showcase of STEM programs and hands-on activities. “I love how the university we competed at and our school facilitated a place for us to enjoy ourselves and have fun while facing a serious academic competition,” Thiakos said. “The fair has been one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in my high school career, and I can’t wait to compete again next year.” 

Congratulations to all the #1LISD students who participated in the fair and placed in their respective categories!

Learn more about the Texas Science & Engineering Festival here. 

State Fair Science Fair Results: Leander ISD