Menchville student wins Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences competition
Posted: February 27, 2025
Sahasra Vishwanathan, a ninth grader at Menchville High School, was selected as the first place winner for high school students in the 2025 Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences Competition.
The objective of the competition is to highlight scientists and engineers from underrepresented minority groups who have excelled in or contributed to the fields of nuclear science, accelerator science and accelerator engineering. The contest was sponsored by Michigan State University, its Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility under the Student Training and Engagement Program for Undergraduates in Physics.
Contest entrants chose a scientist to learn about and shared that knowledge by creating an original artistic design expression, personalized poem, musical performance, video or poster to highlight their selected trailblazer.
Judges cited Vishwanathan's "unique creativity, innovation, and originality" in announcing her as the winner. The award was presented in a ceremony on Zoom on February 26.
Vishwanathan's winning entry was a video presentation about Dr. Katalin Kariko and fellow University of Pennsylvania Professor Dr. Drew Wessimen, who won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine for research that enabled the platform used to rapidly develop lifesaving vaccines amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
"Thank you so much to the Distinguished Trailblazers Science Competition of 2025 for providing me with the opportunity to express and showcase amazing scientists in our present day, or I should say, my role models," Vishwanathan said.
The competition was meaningful for her because it helps guide her future path, she said, thanking Menchville STEM lead teacher Dr. Michael Shumate for providing the opportunity to participate in the competition.
"I chose Dr. Katalin Kariko and Dr. Drew Wessimen for my project, as they inspired me throughout the tough times we faced during our most recent pandemic, COVID-19," Vishwanathan said. "We tend to praise people from the past. Although this is an important aspect, I believe it is important to cherish and embark on scientists who are still here with us today, and continue to help us throughout modern-day challenges.
"Dr. Katalin Kariko inspired my work, which is displayed in this competition today."
