ACESA
Arizona Council of Engineering and Scientific Associations
All GCOI Teacher-of-the-Year and Future-Innovator-of-the-Year award recipients are listed here.
Legend:
S: Future Innovator (student) award winner
S-HM: Future Innovator (student) honorable mention
T: Teacher award winner
T-HM: Teacher honorable mention
`S/T/HM | School | Person | Grade | Category | Project Title |
2023 | |||||
T | Millennium High School | David Wirth | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Bagdad HS, Bagdad | Pradip Misra | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Willcox High School, | David Tyrel "Ty" White | --- | --- | --- |
S | BASIS | Siddarth Adda | 11 | Translational Medical Science | A Novel Segmentation-based AI Approach for the Early Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema (DREAM) via Analysis of Retinal Fundus Images |
S | BASIS | Ram Bubby | 11 | Plant Sciences | Evaluating the Impact of UV Light Exposure on the Growth of Red Malabar Spinach |
S | Hamilton High School | Baochan Fan | 11 | Biomedical and Health Sciences | Hypothalamic EZH2: A Key Regulator of Leptin Sensitivity in Obesity |
S | BASIS | Sruti Peddi | 11 | Environmental Engineering | FloodCast: Real-Time Flood Mapping and Prediction in Southeast Asia Using Remote Sensing Data |
S-HM | BASIS | Maya Marie Schwickert | 12 | Environmental Engineering | Seaweed Blue Light Filter Light Spectrum Analysis of Seaweed Thin Films for LEDs |
S-HM | Hamilton High School | Prisha Shroff | 10 | Translational Medical Science | GlucoseAssist: A Novel, Personalized System for Prediction of Blood Glucose Levels and Early Identification of Dysglycemic Events using Artificial Intelligence |
2022 | |||||
T | Harvest Preparatory Academy, | Alfred Santos | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Canyon View High School, | Thasanee Morrisey | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Millennium High School | David Wirth | --- | --- | --- |
S | BASIS | Pranati Chintada | 9 | Environmental Science | Method of Improving Soil Water Storage Capacity by Using Coir Fiber |
S | Hamilton High School | Alexander Huang | 11 | Engineering Technology Statics and Dynamics | AWSOM: Active Wrist Mechanism Utilizing Spherical gear and a One-drive Mechanism |
S | Brophy College Preparatory | Bremer Kaprosy | 9 | Engineering Mechanics (ETSD) | Cold Rocket Engines - Viability and Ecological Impacts |
S | Hamilton High School | Kristopher Luo | 11 | Embedded Systems | Navi-assist: An AI-based Device for the Visually Impaired to Navigate Unfamiliar Environments Using Computer Vision |
S-HM | Hamilton High School | Prisha Shroff | 9 | Robotics and Intelligent Machines | AI-based Wildfire Prevention, Detection and Suppression System |
S-HM | BASIS | Janvi Srivastava | 10 | Translational Medical Science | DermaTech: A Novel, Non-invasive Technology to Detect Skin Cancer |
2021 | |||||
T | Tucson High Magnet School, | Jeremy Jonas | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Paradise Valley High School, Crest program, | Michelle Landreville | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Millennium High School | David Wirth | --- | --- | --- |
S | Galasso Homeschool | Marina Galasso | 9 | Plant Sciences | Selaginella lepidophylla and Acetic Acid Applied to Maize Seeds to Improve Growth and Drought Tolerance |
S | San Tan Charter School | Bailey Tischer | 11 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | A Novel Method for Measuring Cell Permeability as a Fluid Functional Value Using Spectroscopy |
S | Paradise Valley High School | Arjun Gupta | 10 | Computational Bioinformatics | A Novel Approach to Break Down Non-Biodegradable Plastic using AI to Design New Enzymes |
S | Perry High School | Lilli Seebold Nathan Lam | 11 | Microbiology | Sequential Insertion Deuterium Oxide Phage Therapy Effective Against N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine (AHL) |
S-HM | BASIS Chandler | Katherine Wei | 11 | Biomedical and Health Sciences | Integrated Analysis of the Association Between Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) |
S-HM | Tanque Verde High School | Karah Mayer | 11 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | In ALS Patient Tissue, UG Rich RNA is Not Preferentially Soluble as Predicted |
2020 | |||||
T | Arizona College Prep-Erie, | Rachna Nath | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Harvest Preparatory Academy, | Alfred S. Santos | --- | --- | --- |
S | Sonoran Science Academy Tucson | Saffeyya-Grace Ibrahim | 10 | Microbiology | Examining Antibacterial Properties of Native American Medicinal Plant Extracts Against Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615 |
S | BASIS Scottsdale | Viraj Mehta | 12 | Computational Biology & Bioinformatics | GLIA-Deep: Glioblastoma Image Analysis using Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks to Accurately Classify Gene Methylation and Predict Drug Effectiveness |
S | Willcox High School | Dakota Finley | 12 | Environmental Engineering Recycling/ Waste Managment | Plasphalt Phase II |
S | Hamilton High School | Abby Liu | 12 | Biomedical & Health Sciences | Identifying Key Pathways/Mechanisms for the Generation of Pancreatic Beta Cells by Transdifferentiation of Acinar Cell |
S-HM | Tucson High Magnet School | Sadie Smith | 12 | Environmental Engineering | Investigating the efficacy of the gut biome of Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio in the biodegradation of polystyrene |
S-HM | Hamilton High School | Viveka Chinnasamy, | 11 | Earth & Environmental Science | The Optimization of Lead Absorption in Contaminated Water Through Anhydro Galacturonic Acids in Various Citrus Peels |
2019 | |||||
T | Red Mountain HS, Mesa | Katy Gazda | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Sonoran Science Academy, | Oguz Guvenc | --- | --- | --- |
S | Basis Chandler | Ella Wang | 10 | Plant Sciences | Soybean curd |
S | Tanque Verde Tucson | Emily Ingatoff | 10 | Earth & Environ Sciences | Marine microplastics |
S | Navaho Prep | Sky Harper | 11 | Chemistry | Artifical Synthesis of Sugars |
S | Basis Scottsdale | Yutan Zhang | 11 | Engineering Mechanics | Large Subsonic Transport Aircraft |
S-HM | Hamilton Chandler | Guan/Ramesh | 11 | Cell & Molecular Biology | Zileuton - Alzhimers |
S-HM | Empire Corona | Matthew Fosdick | 11 | Chemistry | Cation Transport Membrane-solar |
2018 | |||||
T | Bagdad High School | Pradip Misra | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Red Mountain Mesa | Katy Gazda | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Empire Tucson | Hillary Stacey | --- | --- | --- |
S | Homeschool | Damian Galasso | 9 | Plant Sciences | Effects of organic plant extracts |
S | Brophy Prep | Bryan Gopal | 11 | Mathamatical Sciences | Accelerator or machine learning |
S | Liberty Peoria | Trevor Hale | 12 | Cell & Molecular Biology | Transgenic analysis of gld-1 |
S | Basha Chandler | Rohit Nandakumar | 12 | Cell & Molecular Biology | Machine learning model for protein |
S-HM | Basha Chandler | Nikita Bharati | 9 | Chemistry | Optimizing algae biofuel production |
S-HM | Basis Peoria | Sukesh Ram | 11 | Physics & Astronomy | Wet chemical etching |
2017 | |||||
T | Paradise Valley HS, Phoenix | Marni Landry | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Bagdad HS, Bagdad | Pradip Misra | --- | --- | --- |
S | Hamilton HS, Chandler | Somil Jain Sachin Jaishankar | 12 | Biochemistry | Developing a Nanoscale DLD Array Using Immunosignature-Derived Aptamers to Effectively Separate and Analyze Tumor Exosomes |
S | Galasso Homschool, Tucson | Joseph Galasso | 11 | Environmental Sciences | A Novel Cost-Effective Water Filtration and Desalination Technique Based on Biodegradable Superabsorbent Polymers |
S | Basis HS, Peoria | Seoyoon Kim | 11 | Medicine & Health Sciences | Role in ING4 in the estrogen response of ER+breast cancer |
S | Basis HS, Scottsdale | Vilina Mehta | 11 | Medicine & Health Sciences | A Novel MicroRNA-Targeted Approach to Overcoming Drug Resistance and Advancing Therapeutic Strategies for Glioblastoma Multiforme |
S-HM | Empire HS, Tucson | Ava Christensen | 10 | Environmental Sciences | The Effect of Nepeta Cataria of Mosquito Larvae Development |
S-HM | Tombstone HS, Tombstone | Heaven May Murphy | 10 | Engineering (M&B) | A New Solution to Prevent Deaths of Animals or Humans Left in Unattended Vehicles - Phase II |
2016 | |||||
T | Coconino HS Flagstaff | Christine Sapio | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Paradise Valley HS | Marni Landry | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Bagdad HS | Pradip Misra | --- | --- | --- |
S | Sandra Day O'Connor HS | Kailash Raman | 11 | Chemistry | Facile Functionalization of Poly (p-phenylneoxide) via Azide-Alkyne "Click" Chemistry |
S | Hamilton HS | Rahul Ramesh | 11 | Computer Science | Detection of Plasmodium Falciparum Parasites in Digitized Blood Samples |
S | Desert Mountain HS | Aakanksha Saxena | 11 | Energy & Transportation | Detection of Secondary Phases in Iron Pyrite (FeS2) Semiconducting Thin Films |
S | Az College Preparatory | McKenna Loop | 12 | Energy & Transportation | The Effect of the Algal Extraction Method on the Amount of Crude Lipid Recovered for Economically Feasible Biofuel Production |
S-HM | Desert Vista HS | Simon Shen | 12 | Computer Science | Single-Cell Motion Characterization System - A New Automated Tool for High-Throughput Studies of Surface-Bound Bacgteria |
S-HM | Hamilton HS | Akshata Rudrapatna | 12 | Engineering (M&B) | Applying Viral Nanoparticles in a Treatment Vector for Alzheimer's Disease Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations |
2015 | |||||
T | Fountain Hills, Fountain Hills | Paul McElligott | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Coconino, Flagstaff | Christine Sapio | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Bagdad, Bagdad | Pradip Misra | --- | --- | --- |
S | Paradise Valley, Phoenix | Alex Rossi | 12 | Biomed & Health SciencesDisease Treatment | Brain Tumor Treatment |
S | Homeschool, Tucson | Claire Thai | 9 | Earth & Environ Science | Arsenic & Lead from Rice |
S | Basis, Oro Valley | Jeremiah Pate | 10 | Engineering (E&M) | Aircraft Safety monitoring system |
S | Hamilton, Chandler | Rebecca Jernigan | 12 | Microbiology | Protolytic enzymes-antivirals |
S-HM | Hamilton, Chandler | Akshata Rudrapatna | 11 | Med & Health Sciences | Viral nanoparticles for Alzheimers |
S-HM | Hamilton, Chandler | Ritika Bharati | 10 | Cell & Molecular Biology | Plant based steriods on cancer |
2014 | |||||
T | Pueblo Magnet, Tucson | Andrew Lettes | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Fountain Hills, Fountain Hills | Paul McElligott | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Skyline HS, Mesa | Michael Drobitzky | --- | --- | --- |
S | Corona del Sol, Chandler | Sarah Galvin | 12 | Engineering (E&M) | An Innovative Approach to Improve Spin Polarization in CozFeAlo.sSigt Thin Filmq for Spin Transport Electronics |
S | University HS, Tucson | Rachel Done | 12 | Cellular& Molecular Biology | Expression and Purification of a Fusion Protein for Breast Cancer Drug Discovery |
S | Basis, Scottsdale | Shrey Gupta | 11 | Computer Science | Advancing Cancer Research with an Integrated Repository and Search Engine for Gene Regulatory Networks |
S | Tucson Magnet | Diego Aubert-Vasquez | 11 | Energy & Transportation | The effectsof bacteria isolated from waste water on sodium lactate microbial fuel cells |
S-HM | Hamilton, Chandler | Dhruv Iyer | 10 | Engineering (E&M) | Devices for the Disabled |
S-HM | Hamilton, Chandler | Rebecca Jernigan | 11 | Microbiology | Enzymes as Antivirals |
2013 | |||||
T | Basha, Chandler | Michael McElvy | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Saguaro, Scottsdale | Chris Brandt | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Pueblo Magnet, Tucson | Andrew Lettes | --- | --- | --- |
S | BASIS, Scottsdale | Anvita Gupta Sejal Aggarwal | 10 10 | Medicine & Health Sciences | Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Drug Therapy Options |
S | Tucson High Magnet, Tucson | Eric Epstein | 12 | Animal Science | Olfactory Discriminatin-European Honeybees |
S | University, Tucson | Shelby Yuan | 10 | Engineering (E&M) | Preparation of Magnetic Nanovesicles |
S | Chandler, Chandler | Manav Sevak Tejas Dharmaraj | 11 11 | Cellular & Molecular Biology | Indicating Alzheimers, Preventing glail Scarring |
S-HM | University, Tucson | Kelsey Barter | 11 | Biochemistry | Targeting Survivin as Potential Cancet Trerapeutic |
S-HM | McClintock, Tempe | Soumoya Kambhamati | 11 | Computer Science | Social Network Analysis of SAT Phase Transition |
2012 | |||||
T | Buena, Sierra Viast | Sandra Trevino | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Saguaro, Scottsdale | Chris Brandt | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Tucson High Magnet, Tucson | Margaret Wilch | --- | --- | --- |
S | Brophy College Prep, Phoenix | Kapil Kanagal | 11 | Chemistry | Effect of Polymer Treatment on Cancerous Cells |
S | Tucson High Magnet, Tucson | Ostin Zarse | 11 | Engineering (E&M) | Holographic Light Filtering |
S | Xavier College Prep, Phoenix | Sarah Sakha | 10 | Bicrobiology | Effect of Spices on Microbal Activity |
S | Empire, Tucson | Sirtaj Bir Singh Sumedha Ravishankar | 12 | Plant Sciences | Wastewater for Biofuel Production |
S-HM | Paragon Science Acad., Chandler | Nicolle Matthews | 9 | Engineering (E&M) | The Piezoelectric Effect |
S-HM | McClintock, Tempe | Soumoya Kambhamati Thompson Liu | 10 11 | Computer Science | Social Network Analysis of SAT Phase Transition |
2011 | |||||
T | Desert Vista, Phoenix | Birgit Musheno | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Fountain Hills, Fountain Hills | Paul McElligott | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Buena, Sierra Viast | Sandra Trevino | --- | --- | --- |
S | Brophy College Prep, Phoenix | Rajet Vatsa | 9 | Energy & Transportation | Biofuels Synthesis |
S | Brophy College Prep, Phoenix | Aakash Jain | 9 | Microbiology | Garlic and E-coli |
S | Tucson High Magnet, Tucson | Francisco Orozco | 12 | Microbiology | Fungi to Produce Fuel |
S | Catalina Foothills, Tucson | Cory Owan | 10 | Energy & Transportation | Solar Collector Safety |
S-HM | McClintock, Tempe | Soumya Kambhampati | 9 | Computer Science | SAT Problems |
S-HM | Hamilton, Chandler | Colby Howell | 12 | Animal Science | Oxalic Acid on Bees |
2010 | |||||
T | Sonoran Sci. Acad., Tucson | Robert Hobbins | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Flowing Wells, Tucson | Anna Heyer | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Buena, Sierra Viast | Sandra Trevino | --- | --- | --- |
S | Highland, Gilbert | Scott Olson | 12 | Engineering-E&M | Fiber Optic Backlight System |
S | Pusch Ridge Christian, Tuscon | Kurt Andres | 11 | Engineering-E&M | Mass Inbalance in Wind Turbines |
S | Sonoran Sci. Acad., Tucson | Stan Palasek | 9 | Biochemistry | Heat Stress on Hexose Transport Rates |
S | Hamilton, Chandler | Varum Ramesch | 9 | Computer Science | Hand Gesture Recognition |
S-HM | Hamilton, Chandler | Shaina Hasan | 12 | Cellular & Molecular Bio | Brain Cancer |
S-HM | Empire, Tucson | Sumedha Ravishankar Sirtaj Bir Singh | 10 10 | Microbology | Spice & Extracts on Ground Beef |
2009 | |||||
T | Empire, Tucson | Michael Frank | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Rio Rico, Rio Rico | Teresa Potter | --- | --- | --- |
T-HM | Desert Vista, Phoenix | Birgit Musheno | --- | --- | --- |
S | Canyou del Oro, Tucson | Ebaa Al-Obeidi | 11 | Plant Science | Sonoran Solar Cells |
S | Basha, Chandler | Scott Boisvert | 10 | Microbiology | Amphibian Pathogen |
S | Corona del Sol, Tempe | Rahul Mitra | 10 | Engineering-Matl Sci | Lead/Gold Superconductivity |
S | Tucson High Magnet, Tucson | Michael Wallace | 11 | Environmental Mgt | Polystyrene Degredation |
S-HM | Corona del Sol, Tempe | Rizwan Ahmad | 11 | Engineering-Bio | Sweat Collection |
S-HM | Tucson High Magnet, Tucson | Angela Schlegal | 12 | Plant Science | Enzyme Identification |
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