PRESENTERS

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Machine Learning in Cuboidal and Spherical Nanoparticles: Merging ML Models for Improved Accuracy in SEM Image Analysis

Accurate nanoparticle identification and characterization from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images remains challenging due to variations in particle morphology and background features. This work presents an integrated computational framework that combines optical character recognition (OCR), image processing, and YOLO-based object segmentation. A YOLO model is trained to identify and localize individual nanoparticles in SEM images, while OCR extracts scale bar information to convert pixel-based measurements into physical units. Image processing is subsequently applied to detected particle regions to characterize particle morphology and estimate physical areas. The proposed framework integrates multiple computational methods and multiple models into a unified workflow, enabling automated and reproducible quantitative characterization of nanoparticles from SEM images while reducing reliance on manual image analysis.

RESEARCHERS: Carter Tsao, Fairfax Senior High School '27

ADVISOR:  Starostina Lab, Materials Science
KEYWORDS: Scanning Electron Microscope | Machine Learning | YOLO | Nanoparticles | Computer Science

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry & Physics

Antioxidant Activity of Fluorinated Edaravone Analogs for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis  

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. Although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying ALS remain incompletely understood, oxidative stress has been strongly implicated in disease progression. One therapeutic approach to mitigating oxidative damage involves the use of small-molecule antioxidants such as the FDA-approved drug Edaravone. Edaravone functions as a free radical scavenger that neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS), helping to reduce oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage associated with neuronal degeneration. The antioxidant activity of aromatic compounds is highly dependent on the electronic properties of ring substituents. To systematically examine these effects, we synthesized a focused library of edaravone analogs featuring electronically varied substituents. These derivatives include a compound in which the native methyl group is replaced by a strongly electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl substituent, along with additional para-substituted phenyl variants. The in vitro potency of these analogs will be evaluated using co-dose DPPH, ABTS, and MTT assays to assess antioxidant activity and cell-line-specific viability. Using the resulting data, we aim to construct a Hammett correlation to quantify how the electronic properties of functional groups influence the radical-scavenging ability of edaravone analogs. 

RESEARCHERS: Riya Veera, Milpitas High School '28

ADVISOR: Njoo Lab, Synthesis | Physical Organic Chemistry | Catalysis | Chemical Biology | Spectroscopy | Medicinal Chemistry
KEYWORDS: Organic Synthesis | Medicinal Chemistry | ALS 

Department of Biological, Human & Life Sciences

Evaluating the Influence of Hypoxic Stress on Escherichia coli Viability and Rifampicin Resistance

Understanding antibiotic resistance evolution requires examining how environmental conditions influence mutation and selection. Most studies focus on rapidly growing bacteria under nutrient-rich, well-oxygenated conditions, which may not reflect prolonged infection environments. Here, we used longitudinal, non-pooled sampling over 14 days to examine rifampicin resistance in Escherichia coli MG1655 under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Rifampicin-resistant colony counts and mutation frequencies were monitored throughout prolonged incubation. In both conditions, absolute resistant colony counts declined over time, consistent with reduced population viability and potential fitness costs associated with rpoB mutations. However, mutation frequencies displayed contrasting patterns. Under normoxia, mutation frequencies progressively decreased, whereas hypoxic cultures showed increasing mutation frequencies over time. These findings suggest that oxygen availability can substantially alter the balance between bacterial survival, selection, and persistence of resistant variants during prolonged stress. Our results highlight the importance of hypoxic environments in resistance evolution and motivate further investigation of compensatory mutations, DNA repair pathways, and gene-expression changes under prolonged hypoxia.

RESEARCHERS: Lina Vernik, Homestead High School '28; Reya Kavuru, Homestead High School '28

ADVISOR:  Shee Lab, Molecular Biology, Genetics
KEYWORDS: Antibiotic Resistance | Rifampicin | Microbiology | RpoB Mutations | Transcription Inhibition

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry & Physics

Installation of electrophilic alkyl bromides modulate the anticancer activity of palbociclib towards achieving isoform-selective CDK inhibition

Given their central role in aberrant cell cycle regulation found in many cancer types, cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) have become an increasingly important target in the development of anticancer therapeutics. Recent efforts in this space have led to the discovery and development of palbociclib and ribociclib, two structurally homologous inhibitors of the closely related isoforms CDK 4 and 6. While these compounds have demonstrated remarkable clinical efficacy, potency, and safety tolerability profiles, their limited selectivity between CDK 4 and 6 posed unique target tolerability challenges. To address this challenge, and in efforts towards the development of similar compounds with improved CDK 4 and 6 isoform discrimination, several have elaborated a solvent exposed piperazine handle to either install a covalent warhead or other functional motifs that may imbue greater isoform selectivity. Inspired by these and other approaches, our laboratory has prepared a series of alkyl, alkyl halo, alkynyl amide, and sulfonate derivatives. Here we disclose the chemical synthesis of over a half dozen palbociclib analogs with both alkylating and non-alkylating motifs on their shared piperazine handle and current progress towards isoform selective biological applications of these compounds as therapeutic leads for the treatment of cancer.

RESEARCHERS: Jonathan Mazor-Hoofien, Palo Alto High School '27

ADVISOR: Njoo Lab, Synthesis | Physical Organic Chemistry | Catalysis | Chemical Biology | Spectroscopy | Medicinal Chemistry
KEYWORDS: Organic Synthesis, Medicinal Chemistry, CDK4/6, Kinase Inhibition, Covalent Inhibition