About Laalitya
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Laalitya has been innovating and experimenting since she was a young child. Whether it was finding new ways to do chores or creating fruit-powered batteries, thinking outside the box was always her style. This creative way of thinking led her to exploring scientific research.
Currently, she is working on developing a method to detect bacteria contamination in water through the analyzation of microscopic images of water. This method could detect possible contamination before it spreads and thus help to alleviate the global water crisis. She is also working with her hometown to get this device implemented for initial real-world testing. |
Hi! I'm Laalitya Acharya
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A drawing of Laalitya made by artist YallaRoza who was inspired by her work
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She was first put onto the international stage of science with the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Since then she has participated in multiple high-level competitions, such as being a finalist at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), first place at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), and a national finalist at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.
In 2021, she was also named a Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Finalist! Throughout all of these science fairs and compeitions, her passion and aim to improve the world has not faltered. She truly believes that it simply takes one idea, one mind, to change the world forever. |
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.Laalitya also participates in her school science fair and was recently named caption of her Science Fair team. Her goal is to increase the size of the Science Fair team and to introduce this wonderful activity to others. By changing the stigma around science and science fairs (commonly seen as very difficult and strict-pathed endeavors), she believes that she can show people the beauty of STEM. As Laalitya always says "Science and scientific experimentation is not a linear process, it is a webbed pathway that takes you through many different routes before you get to the end."
She also mentors younger students in science fairs and their own scientific research, finding that introducing children to step at a young age is the best way for a life-long love of STEM. |
Laalitya performing certain experiments in the lab
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Laalitya and her fellow participants at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
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Currently, Laalitya is a freshman at Columbia University majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in political science.
A true passion of hers is integrating STEM and public policy together. She is currently a Casework Intern for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer where she works with the constituents of New York to resolve any issues they may be facing. She works on a variety of concerns ranging from Social Security, US Academy Nominations, the IRS and more. Working in a congressional office has strengthened her passion for public policy and she hopes to continue this work within her future career! |
