Carnegie Vanguard High School students Nikitha Kota (pictured, on left) and Disha Bhattacharya (on right) were named Regeneron Top 300 Scholars of 2022. Scholars were chosen based on exceptional research skills, innovative thinking, and promise as scientists as demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent-research projects, essays, and recommendations. As semifinalists, Nikitha and Disha each received $2,000, along with $4,000 total for CVHS. Their research projects, both of which were completed on the CVHS campus, will be judged for the chance to win $25,000 prizes. Nikitha’s research project, “The Tense of Psychological Distancing Self Talk and Test Performance Among GT High School Students” is published in the Journal of Student Research. In November, she presented at the International Sigma Xi Research Conference. Disha studied the effects of critically high environmental metal concentrations on usnic acid production in Cladonia rangiferina lichens. This was an experimental AP Research project conducted with the help of Dr. Ana Giraldo, Joshua Garcia, James Barnes, Amalia Masiglat, and Pulcherie Gueneau. Disha also was awarded $5,000 from the CITGO Distinguished Scholars program.

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