iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
An Indian American student has earned top honors at the inaugural International Research Olympiad (IRO) held recently in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The 16-year-old student from New Jersey bagged the gold medal at the IRO which brought together top high school researchers from around the globe.
Jaansi Patel, a senior student at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, was declared the winner among the top 15 finalists, representing the top 1 percent of competitors. She is passionate about applying neuropsychology research for mental health advocacy. In her free time, Jaansi enjoys running her school’s annual TED event, teaching computer science to fellow Girl Scouts, and hosting LearnOn Podcast, the science show by kids, for kids, with her younger brother.
“Competing in IRO has been such an amazing experience for me to meet like-minded people, get inspired for new ideas in scientific inquiry, and challenge myself to reach new horizons. I encourage anyone interested in science (whether you’re an advanced researcher or someone just getting started) to participate in the future, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come with the next years of IRO,” Patel said in a LinkedIn post.
The International Research Olympiad featured over 1,000 participants from 45 countries. After several rounds of examinations, fifteen finalists competed at the Finals event from May 31 to June 2 in Cambridge, MA. The International Research Olympiad (IRO) is dedicated to honing analytical and critical thinking skills for student researchers—essential in scientific exploration. The IRO fosters a culture of rigorous research and skill-building, not just memorizing formulae. The practical applications of knowledge and big-picture thinking are tested, allowing students to walk away with a deeper passion for scientific inquiry and engineering.
The finalists represented the top 1% of competitors, having scored highest at the IRO Semifinals and Opens Exams. By emphasizing research and critical thinking at such a formative stage, the IRO is crafting the next generation of scientists, innovators, and thought leaders.
Rishab Kumar Jain, President and Chair of the Student Board of Advisors to the International Research Olympiad said, “What sets the IRO apart is our commitment to critical thinking, which is essential for scientific research. We’ve seen a high number of contestants who possess extraordinary potential—and who are serious and motivated about their research-based, real-world interests.”
“The IRO Finals took place in a time like no other, and students showed a level of adaptability and resilience that was remarkable,” said Executive & Education Coordinator Yashvir Sabharwal. “Each student tackled a crucial issue, and presented their solutions so that they would matter to the world today.”
The silver medal was bagged by Antara Chhabra and Edward Kang. Chhabra from Bengaluru, India, of Shri Ram Global School won 3rd Place. “My interests range from reading books of various genres to engaging in scientific discussion and research to enhance my knowledge and aid in my journey of continuous learning. Playing basketball, singing, and writing poems, songs, and stories are what I enjoy in my spare time. What I’m extremely passionate about is doing my bit to help make the world a better place for all of us and to leave a dent in the universe,” said Chhabra, a grade 12 student from Bengaluru.
Edward Kang Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, of Bergen County Academies won 2nd Place and a Silver Medal. “I’m a sophomore in high school from Upper Saddle River in Northern New Jersey. I’ve moved several times between the US and South Korea, and I’ve been through American, Korean, and British education systems. I started learning machine learning through online courses for my research about two years ago, and I have conducted research into diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD using retinal images. Beyond research, I’m a Baritone in my school’s and church’s choirs, a chess player and teacher, and a newbie at badminton,” he said.
Vishnu Mangipudi, a student of Lakeside School from Seattle, Washington, won 4th place and the bronze medal. Mangipudi is a sophomore at the Lakeside School with a deep passion for learning more about the world around him. He is interested in the intersection of computer programming and the scientific disciplines in the addressing of many of our world’s challenges. In his research, Mangipudi has coded machine-learning models addressing environmental and medical issues, including models that diagnose heart arrhythmias and analyze regions of glacial calving from satellite data. In his free time, Vishnu loves to sing in his local choir, volunteer with his city, and share his knowledge with his community by teaching STEM classes.
Ruuhan Anand of Raffles Institution, Singapore, won the 5th Place. Ruuhan is passionate about biology, chemistry, and biomedical research. While he hopes to pursue a career in medicine or research in the future. Ethan Sullivan of Ransom Everglades School in Miami, Florida, won 6th Place. Sullivan is currently a junior at Ransom Everglades School in Miami, Florida. A dedicated scholar-athlete, Sullivan is the president of his school’s Mu Alpha Theta chapter and captain of the variety cross country team. He has won three-time All-American honors in triathlon. His passion for neuroscience and community service led to his Eagle Scout project focused on improving stroke outcomes in underserved communities. He was recently selected for the prestigious Coolidge Senators program and received a Bowden Fellowship to study the motivations of thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail.
