Indian-American Teen Shripriya Kalbhavi Takes Second Place at 3M Young Scientist Challenge
Shripriya Kalbhavi, a ninth-grader at Lynbrook High School in California, has clinched second place at the prestigious 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge in the United States. Her innovative creation, EasyBZ, earned her a $2,000 prize. EasyBZ is a cost-effective microneedle patch designed to facilitate self-automated drug delivery, eliminating the need for pills or needles.
The first-place honor and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” went to Heman Bekele from Virginia for his compound-based Skin Cancer Treating Soap. Shripriya Kalbhavi expressed her desire to change lives through scientific innovation, and she hosts a podcast called “Famous Personalities” where she highlights women scientists and their contributions.
Her aspirations include becoming a practicing neurosurgeon and seeking mentorship to enhance people’s lives with her BZ reaction-automated microneedle patches, making medication more painless and affordable. Five other Indian-American teens ranked among the top ten finalists, each receiving a $1,000 prize and a $500 gift card. The 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire young innovators to address real-world problems with creative solutions and scientific acumen, with past winners making notable contributions to various fields.
