AJAS Fellows from Massachusetts

Awan Awan
Lynn Vocational Technical Institute | Class of 2026 | Joined MAss-JAS: 2025

Research Focus: Electrical and biomedical engineering; transcription biology

I have a strong interest in engineering, especially electrical and biomedical engineering. I am also passionate about scientific research, particularly in biology.

At AJAS, I will present a project on the discovery of a novel protein complex involved in transcription. I conducted this research at the MIT Vos Lab, which focuses on understanding genome organization and transcription. My project investigated whether ELOF1, a transcription elongation factor, interacts with CE022, an understudied protein, contributing to our understanding of transcriptional regulation.

After high school, I plan to pursue electrical or biomedical engineering.

Fun Fact: I am the captain of my basketball team and a school record holder in three events.

Benjamin Davis
Bishop Feehan High School | Class of 2027 | Joined MAss-JAS: 2025

Research Focus: Plastic extrusion, recycling systems, and manufacturing innovation

I am interested in plastic and filament extrusion, recycling, and using advanced methods and processes to make plastic filament recycling more attainable and efficient.

The project I will present at AJAS uses a novel combined extrusion-pultrusion process to recycle different types of plastic waste into 3D printing filament that is 45% more energy efficient than the standard method and produces less particulate matter. I have been interested in 3D printing since I got my first 3D printer in fourth grade, and I developed this idea after watching pultrusion plastic recycling for bottles and realizing I could apply the same concept to the standard extrusion process in a more efficient way. Through over 50 iterations of components, I developed and tested my machine.

After I graduate from high school, I plan to pursue mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering in college to continue my research in manufacturing and recycling.

Fun Fact: I recently co-founded a club at my school called Tech Forge to teach students how to use tools, do CAD, operate 3D printers and CNC machines, and build projects. We use these skills for community service projects, including creating a conveyor belt decoration that carried toys for children at our school’s Santa Shop to provide presents for underprivileged children.

Avani Jain
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science | Class of 2026 | Joined MAss-JAS: 2025

Research Focus: Molecular biology and biomedical engineering

I am interested in biology at the genetic and molecular level, especially how genes are regulated and studied using laboratory techniques.

At AJAS, I will present my project investigating how common microplastics (polyethylene and polypropylene) affect the viability and morphology of human endothelial cells, which are responsible for maintaining the protective glycocalyx that lines blood vessels. Using cell viability assays and image-based morphological analysis, I discovered that microplastics significantly disrupt endothelial cell health, highlighting a potential vascular risk of microplastic exposure.

I first learned about microplastics through the news and was intrigued by how widespread they are in the environment. As I researched further, I noticed there was very little information on their effects on humans, which motivated me to investigate how microplastics impact human health through endothelial cells.

After I graduate, I plan to study Biomedical Engineering in college and hope to pursue drug development research in the future.

Fun Fact: I am a huge Harry Potter fan!

Ishan Kasam
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science | Class of 2027 | Joined MAss-JAS: 2025

Research Focus: Aerospace, robotics, and renewable energy

Right now, I am primarily interested in aerospace and robotics and learning more about both fields.

At AJAS, I will present my project, an innovation on traditional vertical axis wind turbines, improving them with piezoelectric transducers and arranging them in a synergistic array.

This project was inspired by the global energy crisis and the large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy consumption and production in urban areas. I was also interested in renewable energy and exploring solutions in this space.

After I graduate high school, I hope to impact the world through industry and research, ideally in aerospace and mechanical engineering.

Sierra Kelch
Wachusett Regional High School | Class of 2026 | Joined MAss-JAS: 2023

Research Focus: Environmental science, biochemistry, and health policy

I am interested in using interdisciplinary approaches, including science and art, to address societal challenges such as climate change and health inequities. In college, I plan to major in biochemistry while exploring environmental and health policy.

I was first an MAssJAS delegate in 2024 for my physics project, “Sip Sustainably: The Rheology and Durability of Single-Use Environmentally Friendly Alternatives for Plastic Straws.” Plastic straws pollute the environment, and paper straws become soggy and fall apart. Using three different durability tests, I found that sugarcane and agave straws are compostable alternatives that are just as durable as plastic straws.

As a 2026 MAssJAS delegate, I will present my project, “A New Mechanism of Toxic Plastics: Evidence that BPA and BPS Impact Heart Rate via GPER.” After testing the effects of BPA and BPS on heart rate, I discovered that at lower, physiologically relevant concentrations, these chemicals likely bind to GPER, a different estrogen receptor than previously expected, affecting heart rate.

Fun Fact: I am captain of my school’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams and compete in jumps, hurdles, and multi-events.

Rishabh Mathukiya
Franklin High School | Class of 2026 | Joined MAss-JAS: 2025

Research Focus: Autonomous systems, quantum computing, and AI integration

I am interested in autonomous systems, quantum computing, and the integration of AI in the field of quantum mechanics.

The project I will be presenting at AJAS is my 2025 SY MSEF project, which focuses on optimizing energy harvesting from a Darrieus H-rotor Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) so it can be utilized in compact spaces. My partner and I concluded that arranging VAWTs together increases energy generation by at least 30% due to improved airflow interactions. We also integrated piezoelectric transducers to harvest energy from wind, rain, and vibrations, increasing total power output by about 10%, making this a viable solution for bringing renewable energy harvesting into compact, urbanized areas.

My partner, Ishan Kasam, and I were motivated by the high CO₂ emissions from urban energy usage and the limited adoption of renewable technologies in space-constrained areas. By optimizing a VAWT, which can operate with wind from all directions and is naturally smaller than horizontal axis wind turbines, we aimed to bring wind energy solutions to urban environments.

After I graduate, I would like to work in the field of quantum computing and automation (AI/ML).

Nichelle Ann Thinagar
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science | Class of 2027 | Joined MAss-JAS: 2025

Research Focus: Biomimetic robotics and disaster-response engineering

At AJAS, Nichelle will present her project on creating and testing an anisotropically frictional artificial snake skin for a soft biomimetic robotic snake designed to assist in rubble search and recovery. By fabricating and testing four novel artificial skin designs inspired by natural snake ventral scales, she developed a significantly improved anisotropic friction system and integrated it into a cable-actuated origami-based robotic prototype capable of lateral undulation, creating a cost-effective device to support early disaster-response operations.

You can learn more about Nichelle on her website.

Shuting Zhu
O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science | Class of 2026 | Joined MAss-JAS: 2025

Research Focus: Electrical engineering and computer science

I am very interested in electrical engineering and computer science, which is the field I plan to pursue.

At AJAS, I will present my project on a more affordable and cuffless version of a blood pressure monitor. I chose this project after realizing that traditional blood pressure monitors are often expensive and uncomfortable, limiting access despite how essential they are for people with hypertension. I want to make this technology more accessible and comfortable.

After I graduate from high school, I plan to attend college and earn a degree in EECS.

Fun Fact: I make pretty good French fries!