Anna Oliva

Anna Oliva, 17, won first prize in the Mathematics category at the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

BRILLIANCE IN BILLIARDS Anna Oliva, a senior at Carnegie Vanguard High School, worked with mentor Daniel Onofrei at the University of Houston to prepare her research on the projected paths of mathematical billiards. She traveled with her trifold to city, state, and finally an international competition, where she won first prize in the Mathematics category. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

GOING, GOING, POLYGON Anna poses with her name on the wall of 1,800 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) contestants.

PLANTS AND PYTHAGORAS Mom Mirela accompanied Anna to the ISEF conference in Los Angeles, Calif., and served as an unofficial chaperone to the 24 Houston-area contestants.

In addition to math, Anna loves biology; she has dedicated two summers to researching algae growth, is the founder of Carnegie’s botany club, and keeps a small nursery in her bedroom. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

Buzz intern Lucy Walker (middle) and her friend Anna Oliva getting Neal Shusterman's new book signed at an event organized by Blue Willow.

Buzz intern Lucy Walker (second from left) visited the HMNS's Cockrell Butterfly Center to celebrate her birthday with friends Chloe Allis, Anna Oliva, and Abby Manuel.

Clockwise, from bottom: Lucy Walker, Anna Oliva, and Abby Manuel showing off their fancy footwear at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.