DeBakey High School junior helps researchers image cancer cells
By Dipali Pathak
What 16-year-old Kshitij Desai did two summers ago might surprise you.
Now a junior at the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions, the budding scientist worked with his mentor Junghae Suh, Ph.D., assistant professor of bioengineering at Rice University, to design fluorescently tagged adeno-associated viral nanoparticles for high contrast diagnostic imaging.
Benefit to cancer imaging
Desai chemically attached fluorescent dye to the outer coat of adeno-associated viruses type 2, which are not known to cause diseases in humans, allowing them to be used as contrast agents to view cervical cancer cells. Ultimately, the technique may benefit cancer imaging.
The work took dedication and hours of research in the laboratory.
"I spent weekends and long hours each day working in the laboratory, but seeing the results of my experiments was exhilarating," said Desai.
Award-winning work
For his project, Desai received a second-place prize from the Intel Foundation and another second-place prize from the U.S. Air Force at this year's 59th Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory, along with Science Service have partnered to promote science education through a program called the Ceres Connection, which will also recognize Desai by naming a near-earth asteroid or minor planet after him.
Desai's research now focuses on viral tropism, or manipulating the ability of viruses to bind to cancer cells, so that he can use the fluorescently tagged viruses to target specific cancers.
Life outside research
Aside from his research, Desai also plays the guitar and violin, is a member of the student council, president of the math club, vice-president of Health Occupations Students of America, math club academic tutor, and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society, all at DeBakey High School. Desai also volunteers at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
The DeBakey high school is a joint project of Baylor College of Medicine and the Houston Independent School District. The school enables students to obtain the most rigorous education they need to do well as undergraduates and eventually pursue a career in health science.
Although Desai has not decided on his top college choices yet, he does want to pursue a career in the medical field and is considering an M.D./Ph.D. graduate program.
