Young Sri Lankan Wins Grand Prize at Siemens Competition
Two inquiring minds combined their energies to engage in months of extensive research, eventually presenting the public with a groundbreaking approach to develop chemotherapeutic drugs. Sajith Wickramasekara and his research partner, Andrew Guo, both students at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, entered the 2008 Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology as a team and presented their innovative research on genetic responses and reactions to chemotherapy. Their research won them the Grand Prize of a $100,000 scholarship, which they both plan to use for their higher education.
In our interview, Sajith detailed how the project’s research stemmed from the fact that the drugs used in chemotherapy often have severe and destructive side effects on a patient after prolonged exposure and intake. Using state-of-the-art genomic tools, Sajith explained how he and his partner were able to identify genes that regulate resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs.
Taking those results, the team applied the same research methodology to a wider base of drugs, so that any drug can be examined to find ways to improve it through genetic alteration. In his own words, Sajith explains the benefits of his research: “The bottom line is, we now have an excellent method to sensitize tumors to a drug and lower the dosing requirements.” Cancer patients can thus benefit from this research since they would have a much lower intake of the chemotherapeutic drugs that can lead to adverse side effects.
Already heavily involved in research, Sajith and his partner decided to enter the competition understanding that it was an extraordinary opportunity, and also because it would garner more exposure for their work. By no means, however, was it a simple task to join. Sajith and Andrew initially entered the competition with over 1,200 other entries, submitting a twenty-page paper that detailed their research. After a round of judging, only 60 of the initial 1,200 advanced to the next stage, and lucky Sajith and his partner were among this number. The two then went on to compete at the Georgia Institute of Technology where they gave an oral presentation, poster presentation, and sat before a panel of PhD scientists for a Q & A session. After also winning this round, both Sajith and his partner advanced to the National Finals in New York where they competed against other regional winners. The many stages that Sajith and his partner had to surpass certainly attest to the difficulty and challenging nature of the competition.
Sajith hopes his research efforts will someday reach hospitals on a wide scale, and eventually become a viable option for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Having such passion for science, Sajith intends to continue his research engineering molecules and cellular processes with the ultimate aim of improving the lives of people who suffer from fatal diseases.
Sajith Wickramasekara is captain of his school’s Science Bowl and has participated in various science competitions including the 2008 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the North Carolina State Science and Engineering Fair as well as the North Carolina Junior Science Humanities Symposium. He is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and dreams of one day owning his own biotech startup, specializing in personalized medicine. Sajith Wickramasekara and his research partner Andrew Guo co-founded the Student Journal of Research of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics; they both serve as Editors of the publication.
The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology recognizes remarkable talent early on, fostering individual growth for high school students who are willing to challenge themselves through science research. Through this competition, students have an opportunity to achieve national recognition for science research projects that they complete in high school. It is administered by the College Board and funded by the Siemens Foundation.