Anika Chebrolu is a fourteen-year-old Indian American girl from Frisco, Texas, who won the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge and a $25,000 prize for her work on a potential medicine to cure COVID-19. She also received the distinguished distinction of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Anika Chebrolu was born in Frisco, Texas in 2006 .
Anika Chebrolu is from a South Asian Indian American household. There isn’t much information available about her family.
Her grandfather, a chemistry professor, encouraged her to pursue a career in science. “When I was little, my grandfather used to push me into science,” she explained. He was a chemistry professor, and he used to always advise me to understand the periodic table of the elements and all these things about science, and I just grew to love it over time.”
EDUCATION
Anika Chebrolu attended Nelson Middle School in Frisco, Texas, until the eighth grade. She went on to attend Independence High School in Frisco, Texas.
WINNER OF 3M YOUNG SCIENTIST CHALLENGE
Anika Chebrolu, an Indian American student, was named the winner of the 2020 Young Scientist Challenge competition on October 14, 2020, by 3M in collaboration with Discovery Education. Students in grades five through eight were invited to enter the 13th annual contest by submitting a film displaying an innovation that could help provide a solution to an everyday problem. Anika Chebrolu was chosen as the winner from among 10 contenders by a panel of judges. Anika earned $25,000 in the competition for her work on a potential COVID-19 treatment. Dr. Cindy Moss, one of the judges for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, described Anika as a youngster with an inquiring mind who used her curiosity to raise questions regarding a COVID-19 vaccination, saying, “Her study was comprehensive and reviewed multiple databases.” She has also gained a grasp of the innovation process and is an excellent communicator. Her willingness to contribute her time and ability to making the world a better place gives us all hope.”
