WKU News

Three Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science students recently qualified for the world-renowned Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to be held May 11-17 in Los Angeles, CA. Senior Nikhil Kumar (also of DuPont Manual High School) and juniors Asa Ashley (also of Bowling Green High School) and Zahra Chasmawala (also of DuPont Manual High School) were among the five GE Best of Fair winners to earn automatic entry to the Regeneron ISEF at the Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair (LRSEF), an annual competition featuring students in grades 6-12.

“Our students have worked incredibly hard on their research projects, and it’s wonderful to see their tireless efforts recognized at LRSEF,” said Sam Earls, Assistant Director for Academic Services. “As always, we are indebted to our WKU faculty members who provide fantastic research opportunities and phenomenal mentorship to our students.”

Seven Gatton Academy students presented at LRSEF and received awards for their research.

In addition to Best of Fair, Gatton junior Asa Ashley received 1^st in the Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design category, the iForce Innovation Award, the Environmental Science Award, the Sustainable Development Award, and the FirstBuild Award for his research, “Novel Synthesis of Maghemite Nanospheres on Nickel Foam as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Alkaline Water Splitting.” Ashley is mentored by University of California – Santa Cruz faculty Dr. Yat Li in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

In addition to Best of Fair, Gatton junior Zahra Chasmawala received 2^nd in the Computational Biology and Bioinformatics category and the At Large Award for her research, “Modeling Neuron Energy Efficiency and Consumption Using Hodgkin-Huxley Equations with Analysis and Application.” Chasmawala is mentored by Western Kentucky University faculty Dr. Tony Simpao in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

In addition to Best of Fair, Gatton senior Nikhil Kumar received 1^st in the Physics and Astronomy category, the Naval Research Award, and the United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement Award for his self-directed research, “Optimized and Accurate Planetary and Interplanetary Satellite Modeling Via Utilization of Advanced Differential Equations.”

Gatton senior Albert Mbanfu (Greenwood High School) received 2^nd in the Cellular and Molecular Biology category for his research, “c-Jun Protein Expression in the Regenerating Lamprey Spinal Cord.” Mbanfu is mentored by Western Kentucky University faculty Dr. Hilary Katz in the Department of Biology.

Gatton senior Sara Nath (Larry A. Ryle High School) received 1^st in the category Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, the Clear Think Award, and the Biomedical Science Award for her research, “Classifying Alzheimer’s Disease Outcome in Single-Cell RNA-Seq Datasets.” Nath is mentored by Brown University faculty Dr. Ritambhara Singh in the Department of Computer Science.

Gatton senior Amy Pan (Bowling Green High School) received 1^st in the category Technology Enhances Art for her research, “iEquity: An Augmented Reality Theatre Production.” Pan is mentored by Western Kentucky University faculty Kristina Arnold in the Department of Art and Design.

Gatton senior Sofia Sileo (iLEAD Academy/Henry County High School) received 2^nd in the Microbiology category, the Community Impact Award, and the Naval Research Award for her research, “Characterization of a Bacteriophage Protein that is Toxic to Mycobacterium Smegmatis.” Sileo is mentored by Western Kentucky University faculty Dr. Rodney King in the Department of Biology.

About The Gatton Academy: Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy is Kentucky’s first residential two-year program for gifted and talented juniors and seniors. The Gatton Academy’s students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Gatton Academy is a recipient of the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity Magazine and the Innovation Partnership Award from the National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools.