Junior Advances to International Science Fair
As the field of science continues to progress, a new generation of young bright minds is taking the science world by storm. One of these exceptional students is Kristi Biswas, a junior IB student who has competed for multiple years in the science fair with her research on various medical conditions, even winning at the state level at the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida in 2021. She gained interest in these projects in the sixth grade, watching her older brother compete in the science fair himself.
“I would go to my brother’s competitions and award ceremonies, and it was so cool seeing all of the projects that were there,” Biswas said. “I was so amazed that kind of research could be done in high school, and it inspired me to do research on diseases that I had personal connections to.”
Biswas is known for her research on diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and now Alzheimer’s disease, but what most do not know is the reason she chooses these specific conditions to focus on.
“Every year I always look further into a disease that one of my family members have,” Biswas said. “I did type 2 diabetes freshman year because my mom has it, I did Parkinson’s last year as I know a close family friend with it, and this year I dedicated my Alzheimer’s disease research to my grandma.”
This very meaningful and extensive research took dedication, with Biswas spending nine months in total researching and putting together her project. However, the science fair is not the only thing Biswas has on her plate, as she is an incredibly well-rounded individual.
“I am currently in the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Golden Eagle Ambassadors, and the Science Fair Club inside of school,” Biswas stated. “Outside of school, I am involved in the teen advisory board here at the Southeast branch public library, Northeast Florida Stemillions, which is an organization I use to help inspire kids to pursue a career in STEM, and an active volunteer at the Jax Humane Society.”
Even as busy as she already is, she plans to get even more involved next year, as well as create her next science fair project.
“I am really excited for next year’s project, and I plan to look into ALS at the Petrucelli Lab at Mayo Clinic,” Biswas said.
The future is clearly very bright for Biswas, and time can only tell where she will go in the upcoming years. What is known for sure, though, is that she is not stopping her involvement in STEM after her last year of science fair.
“I am currently interested in being a geneticist to study the pathology of different diseases or becoming a radiologist,” Biswas explained. “I have been studying different diseases every year for each of my projects so that when I get to college, I know which disease interested me most and which one I would like to focus on more in the future.”
Kristi Biswas, rising Paxon junior says she’s always had an interest in learning more about neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s.
— DCPS (@DuvalSchools) July 20, 2021
Today we celebrate her two wins - 1st place State Science Fair, and 3rd place International Science and Engineering Fair winner! pic.twitter.com/TvuyVDM5g2