National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Collegiate Winner
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Laalitya won the annual NCWIT Collegiate Scholarship for the development of her water-contamination detection system. As the winner, she also received a $10,000 scholarship for her high-education pursuits and was invited to multiple virtual and in-person symposiums to present her work.
She was also able to network with other famous women in STEM with whom she is actually collaborating for further research interests! |
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Conrad Challenge Scholar
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Laalitya was selected as a Pete Conrad Scholar (the top prize at the Conrad Challenge) for her innovative work in water contamination and her business proposal to bring this research to the global market. After advancing through 3 rounds of competition, she was invited to present at the final round of the Conrad Challenge in Houston. It was there that she was chosen as both the awardee for the Pete Conrad Scholar and the Power Pitch. She was the first student to ever be selected for both awards in the history of the challenge.
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Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
Laalitya being presented the first place award at JSHS 2019
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From the state level of Symposium (OJSHS - See below), Laalitya qualified to the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS). This 5 day event, takes high school students through tours and simulations of the various application of STEM in the military and armed forces. Students then present their own work and compete for scholarships and other awards..
Laalitya won the first place award in the Category of Computer Science and Mathematics for her project. |
Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)
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In 2020, Laalitya was chosen as the Ohio State Winner for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. She then moved onto the National Stage of competition where she competed with students from all across America. Thousands of students across the US competed in the early rounds of competition but only the top 50 were selected to move on to the national level.
This competition had a focus in water and throughout the experience, Laalitya was able to meet water professionals, educators and SJWP alumni. In addition, she was able to meet like-minded students who shared her passion for access to water. |
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Ohio Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
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Laalitya was selected to present her work at her State Symposium. This Symposium brought together the brightest minds in the Ohio. Over the course of three days, multiple lectures and presentations helped to deepen her passion of science. She also participated in research under the guidance of professors at the program
Lastly, she presented her own research and was awarded the Best in Show Award for the project. From here, she ualified to the Nationals Level. |
Laalitya presenting her work at OJSHS
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Genius Olympiad
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Qualifying to the Genius Olympiad is a multi-step process that first starts at your local regional fair. Only 2,000 students qualify internationally, demonstrating the rigor necessary for this event. Laalitya qualified to this fair and spent a week discussing her work and learning about other "Geniuses" work.
For her research in engineering, Laalitya won the Gold Medal Award in STEM, |
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Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2017
Laalitya and her fellow finalists at the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2019
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Laalitya was selected to be one of the top 10 finalists for the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2017. Her project, TraffEnerate is able to generate electricity from vehicular motion, inspired by her yearly trips to India where many people did not have access to electricity.
After being selected, she created ELIE (Environmentally Low Impact Energy) for the challenge, to help the people of Puerto Rico, the US, and other countries affected by the terrible hurricanes in 2017. She hopes to be able to implement these devices all around the world to allow for accessible electricity! |
The Paradigm Challenge
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Laalitya has been selected twice as a a top 100 finalist by the Paradigm Project. The first time for her work in energy renewables. Her project earned her multiple prizes as well as commendation internationally.
The second time, she was selected as a finalist for her work in automatic detection for Diabetic Retinopathy using neural networks. With both of these innovations, Laalitya has been working to get them implemented into the world. She wants them to solve the various issues that we are facing |
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Melvin Scholar and Ohio Academy of Science Meeting Presenter
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For the Ohio Academy of Science Meeting, Laalitya was chosen to present her research on renewable energy. She was then selected to turn in her research paper to be a candidate for the Melvin Scholar Award as well.
In addition, she was able to learn about the research of other college students and professors as they continued to delve into the field of science. She was selected as a Melvin Scholar for Ohio Academy of Science. |
Laalitya presenting her work at this prestigious meeting
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US EPA Outstanding Achievement Award
The EPA certificate presented to Laalitya as a result of her placement in this challenge
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Laalitya received a commendation from The US Environmental Protection Agency through The President's Environmental Youth Award for her outstanding achievement in environmental protection services.
Through this award, she has also started to work with the EPA to implement some of her research in the local area. Real-world testing is the next-step for much of the research that she has developed, and this development could lead to wide-scale implementation of her work. |
