Indian American Students Named Science Challenge Finalists

The finalists, selected from thousands of entrants nationwide, will compete for the title of America's Top Young Scientist and a $25,000 grand prize. Each finalist will be paired with a 3M scientist mentor to develop their innovative ideas into viable solutions.

The Indian American finalists include Anisha Aggarwal of San Jose, California, who proposed a device to detect microplastics in water; Rohan Chandran of Austin, Texas, who created a low-cost sensor for early detection of diabetic retinopathy; and Diya Iyer of Edison, New Jersey, who designed a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastics.

Also among the finalists are Arjun Mehta of Bellevue, Washington, who developed an AI-based system to identify invasive plant species, and Kavya Patel of Cary, North Carolina, who invented a wearable device to monitor air quality and alert users to harmful pollutants.

The 10 finalists will showcase their projects in a virtual competition in October, where they will be evaluated on creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills. The winner will be announced later that month.

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge, now in its 18th year, aims to foster the next generation of scientists and innovators. Past winners have gone on to patent their inventions and speak at national conferences.