(June 14, 2022) Six middle school and high school students received the Osteopathic Medical Award at the 74th Annual State Science Day. The awards, which carry a total of $650 in cash prizes, are supported jointly by the OOA and Ohio Osteopathic Foundation.
A total of 64 students competed in two divisions, 7th-9th grade and 10th-12th grade. Priority was given to research related to interrelationships between the body’s function and structure, the musculoskeletal system, or a holistic approach to medicine, including internal and external factors and preventive treatments. The winners were:
SENIOR DIVISION 10th-12th Grade
First Place
Temporal Trends and Disparities in Gastroenterology Care Utilization Before, During, and After COVID-19 Lockdown
Harsha Sanaka
11th grade, Hawken Upper School (Gates Mills)
Second Place
A Meta-Data Analysis into the Correlation Between Nulliparous, Full Term, Singleton, Head-Down Cesarean Sections and Infant Mortality Rate
Josephine M. Gehret
12th grade, Anna High School
Third Place
The Effect of Mindful Meditation on Objective and Subjective Disease Activity in RA Patients
Serena Kataria
12th grade, Wheelersburg High School
JUNIOR DIVISION 7th-9th Grade
First Place
Can Freezers and Toasters Pave the Way to a Healthier Body?
Sahand Maleki
8th grade, The University School (Shaker Heights)
Second Place
The Effect of Poor Posture on Lung Capacity and Blood Pressure
Sam McGill
7th grade, Saint Mary Middle School (Lancaster)
Third Place
Impact of Genetic Mutations on Evolution of SARS-CoV-2
Eashan Kosaraju
8th grade, The University School (Shaker Heights)
State Science Day, sponsored annually by the Ohio Academy of Science, is the pinnacle of 5th-12th grade student originated, inquiry-based science education. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the event was converted to an online competition for the third consecutive year.