Research conducted by two local students is gaining recognition.
Shan Lateef from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria and Delaney Walts from Colgan High School in Manassas have published a scientific manuscript.
They co-authored “Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation and the Antioxidant Curcumin on the Longevity, Fertility, and Physical Structure of Drosophila melanogaster: Can we defend our DNA?”
The document was included in the “Journal of Emerging Investigators” (JEI), according to a release from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).
It focuses on how ultraviolet radiation affects the life and fertility of fruit flies. It also considers if nutrition full of antioxidants will help fight against its harmful impact.
Radiation lowered the lifespan by 59 percent. The students found that it didn’t play a major role in their ability to reproduce.
They determined that natural antioxidants could be used to address certain diseases, such as cancer.
The sophomores collected their research for a Regional Science Fair project in 2017.
Shan recently received the Neuroscience Research Prize from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).
