Georgia Bio Names Milton High School Senior as 2021 Georgia BioGENEius Winner

Priya Soneji Advances to International Competition Against Top Students

ATLANTA–( BUSINESS WIRE )–Georgia Bio and the Georgia BioEd Institute today named  Priya Soneji , a senior at Milton High School in Milton, GA, as the winner of the 2021 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research and innovation in the biotechnology field. As Georgia’s BioGENEius finalist, Priya will attend the 2021 International BioGENEius competition, which will be held virtually and featured during the BIO Digital Convention.

“In the biotech industry, young people are the closest thing we have to a crystal ball. The BioGENEius Challenge showcases scientific innovations that are only possible when young minds are given the freedom and resources to convert their ideas into action” Tweet this

Priya will compete against high school students from the U.S., Canada and Germany in the International BioGENEius Challenge. The student projects will represent a range of biotechnology topics such as healthcare, agriculture, and the environment.

Priya was selected as our winner because of the tracking microscope she developed that automatically focuses on a microorganism as it travels through three-dimensional space. Scientists typically observe microorganisms under a microscope by moving the slide or petri dish manually. Priya improved on this method by creating a mechanized device that uses AI to record video and plot the location of an organism as it travels. By enabling scientists to observe microscopic organisms for longer periods of time and more easily identify fast-moving specimens, this device has the potential to facilitate parasite diagnosis and advance the discovery of previously unknown microorganism behaviors.

“In the biotech industry, young people are the closest thing we have to a crystal ball. The BioGENEius Challenge showcases scientific innovations that are only possible when young minds are given the freedom and resources to convert their ideas into action,” said Georgia Bio President and CEO Maria Thacker. “Georgia Bio is thrilled to have Priya represent our state on the international stage at the upcoming BIO Digital Convention, and we are proud to support this Georgia scholar in her future endeavors.”

Georgia Bio also congratulates the Georgia BioGENEius runner-up,  Asmi Kumar,  who is also a student at Milton High School in Milton, GA. Asmi’s project focused on treating Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) with a low-cost, computer app-based therapy, called FollowMe. CVI occurs when neurological damage in a child’s brain causes a disconnect between the optic nerve and the visual cortex. Typically, the connection is restored through coordination therapies, where parents or therapists move an object around in front of a child so that the child may track it. This method is often expensive, time-consuming, and results in inconsistent feedback on what the child’s eyes are seeing. FollowMe uses AI and a standard webcam to track the patient’s gaze as they follow targets generated in the web-based app, which eliminates the need for expensive therapy visits. Asmi plans to continue the development of FollowMe and hopes to introduce this therapy to doctors around the world.

Judging the 2021 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge were Jamie L. Graham, Boehringer Ingelheim; Ralph L. Cordell, CDC; Ian Biggs, UGA; and Alex Harvey, ViaMune, Inc.

National and International winners will be announced after the competition. See the  International BioGENEius website  for more information on the revised 2021 schedule. Winners will receive cash scholarships.

Follow the BioGENEius Challenge:  Throughout the challenge, @BiotechInstitut will be tweeting interviews, photos, and engaging with the biotechnology community by using the hashtag #BioGENEius.

About the Biotechnology Institute

The Biotechnology Institute is an independent, national nonprofit organization dedicated to education about the present and future impact of biotechnology. Its mission is to engage, excite and educate the public, particularly students and teachers, about biotechnology and its immense potential for solving human health, food and environmental problems. For more information, visit  www.biotechinstitute.org.

About the Georgia BioEd Institute

The Georgia BioEd Institute, a division of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit the Center for Global Health Innovation, works to strengthen Georgia’s life sciences workforce pipeline through classroom-to-career initiatives that align with industry needs. BioEd works closely with its sister organization Georgia Bio, which serves the state’s life science industry. For more information about BioEd, visit them online at  www.georgiabioed.org , or on Facebook (@GeorgiaBioEd), Twitter (@georgiabioed), or LinkedIn (@georgia-bioed).

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Georgia Life Sciences Selects Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy Student as the 2025 Georgia BioGENEius Winner

By Sheran Brown • April 10, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences Selects Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy Student as the 2025 Georgia BioGENEius Winner Sandy Springs & Rockmart Teens Take Top Honors in Statewide Science Competition Atlanta, GA (April 4, 2025) – Georgia Life Sciences today named Bhavya Alapati , a junior at Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy, as the winner of the 2025 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge, the premier competition for high school students that recognizes outstanding research and innovation in the biotechnology field. Eleven students from across Georgia competed for this year’s title and cash prize. Bhavya’s project investigated a novel method of identifying strokes using a device she created called SpectroStroke, a small-scale spectrophotometer, to detect homocysteine, an amino acid product that is associated with stroke. Bhavya identified the ability of homocysteine to be detected using Ellman’s reagent, which reacts with the free sulfhydryl group on the molecule to produce a yellow color. Bhavya created a wearable patch that contains the Ellman’s reagent. Then, she designed the SpectroStroke to be able to detect the color change when the patch is exposed to elevated levels of homocysteine. Bhavya’s SpectroStroke can detect normal levels of homocysteine up to extremely high levels seen in those experiencing a stroke. The ability to detect a stroke earlier would reduce damage and long-term effects of the condition. A future iteration of the SpectroStroke would include real-time monitoring capabilities to help track changing homocysteine levels. "Supporting and celebrating outstanding research and innovation in biotechnology is vital for the future of science and medicine. The Georgia BioGENEius Challenge not only encourages the brightest young minds to explore their potential but also nurtures the next generation of leaders who will drive groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology,” said Georgia Life Sciences President and CEO Maria Thacker-Goethe. “By recognizing and empowering these students, we are helping to shape a future where innovation thrives and the possibilities for improving lives are endless. Well done, Bhavya!” Georgia Life Sciences also congratulates the Georgia BioGENEius runner-up, Shelby Kendrick , who is a senior at Paulding County High School in Dallas, GA. Shelby’s research investigated the ability of Aspergillus terreus, a fungus found in soil, to degrade pre-treated polypropylene plastic (PP). This fungus has been discovered to produce high concentrations of degrading enzymes and raises the moisture level of its substrate. Shelby isolated the fungus from soil samples and confirmed the species using PCR amplification and DNA barcoding. Samples of polypropylene were pre-treated with 75% ethanol and UV exposure, then placed in a liquid culture of A. terreus in Minimal Salt Medium (MSM) media, and the culture was incubated for 23 days. At the end of the trial period, PP samples were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy. These samples showed changes in their surface layer, indicating evidence of biodegradation. Polypropylene plastic is found in household items such as plastic cups and is a known problem in the environment due to its inability to degrade. Shelby’s future research on the use of A. terreus for biodegradation includes optimizing degradation conditions and assessing methods of application in the environment. Judging the 2025 Georgia BioGENEius Challenge were Ralph L. Cordell, CDC, and Alex Harvey, ViaMune. Cash prizes were awarded to Bhavya and Shelby. # # # About Georgia Life Sciences Georgia Life Sciences, founded in 1989, is a non-profit, membership-based organization that promotes the interests and growth of the life sciences industry. It is the state’s largest and most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization working to improve access to innovative discoveries that have lifesaving impact. The association connects business, academia, government, and other allied entities involved in the application of life sciences products to fuel growth and collaboration through policy development, community programs, national industry initiatives, and a portfolio of educational and networking events. Learn more at galifesciences.org.
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