Close X
Monday, December 16, 2024
ADVT 
International

India-Born Girl Vijayakumar Ragavi's Heart Disease Project Wins Award In Singapore

Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 May, 2018 11:52 AM
    An 18-year-old Chennai-born girl has won this year's A*Star Talent Search award in Singapore for her study of genetic heart disease "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy".
     
     
    Vijayakumar Ragavi, now a Singaporean citizen, topped the list of 611 other students from secondary and tertiary institution, reported Tabla!, a Friday weekly for the Non-Resident Indians community here.
     
     
    She has been awarded cash prize, a sponsored trip to an overseas conference and a trophy as well as a certificate for winning the competition.
     
     
    Ragavi said she spent almost two years studying and preparing for her award-winning project on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
     
     
    "It is estimated to be the most genetic heart disease in the world. People with the disease often suffer from arrhythmia induced sudden cardiac death," said Ragavi.
     
     
    Arrhythmia is a group of conditions where the heartbeat is irregular, too slow or too fast.
     
     
    At the talent search, Ragavi's research focused on stem-cell technology, which allows for the detection of genetic disease through blood samples, rather than the typical method of performing cardiac biopsies.
     
     
    Such biopsies are extremely difficult procedures which entail taking a small piece of the heart so that it can be checked for genetic disease in the laboratory.
     
     
    Ragavi designed a humanised hypertrophic cardiomyopathy model that recaptulates the disease phenotype. The subsequent findings set the foundation for gaining insights into disease pathology and therapeutic intervention.
     
     
    "I really didn't expect to win. I was quite surprised since it was very unexpected, but I was happy that my parents were so proud of me," Ragavi said.
     
     
    She will be pursuing a degree in biomedical science at an overseas university next year.
     
     
    "I want to become a researcher in future and thought this would be good exposure for me," said the Year 6 student from National University of Singapore's High School for Mathematics and Science.
     
     
    "I want to work in the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine," she said.
     
     
    Her parents, Rajamanickkam Vijayakumar, who works at Hewlett-Packard, and home-maker Rajendran Gomathi, couldn't be more proud.
     
     
    "She puts in a lot of effort for the research study and her efforts have paid off." Gomathi was quoted as saying by Tabla!
     
     
    A*STAR Talent Search is a 2006 initiative, rewarding students who have performed well in scientific research. It is part of the A*STAR Graduate Academy (AGA)'s Youth Science outreach to schools with the aim to inspire & sustain a passion in science in the young in Singapore. 

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Bullied, Barred From WhatsApp Group, Indian-Origin Teen Kills Self In UK

    Bullied, Barred From WhatsApp Group, Indian-Origin Teen Kills Self In UK
    14-year-old Elena Mondalwas found by her teachers, hanging unresponsive, at Hampstead's Henrietta Barnett School in north London last year.

    Bullied, Barred From WhatsApp Group, Indian-Origin Teen Kills Self In UK

    Massachusetts Woman Sues After Rental Home Was Used To Shoot Pornography

    Massachusetts Woman Sues After Rental Home Was Used To Shoot Pornography
    A Massachusettswoman has filed a federal lawsuit accusing her tenant of using her Martha's Vineyard home to shoot pornographic videos without telling her.  

    Massachusetts Woman Sues After Rental Home Was Used To Shoot Pornography

    Indian Journalist Charged With Smuggling People With 'Fake Media Contingent' In Australia

    Indian Journalist Charged With Smuggling People With 'Fake Media Contingent' In Australia
    An Indian national has been charged with people smuggling after allegedly attempting to sneak a team of fake journalists into Brisbane, Australian authorities said Thursday.

    Indian Journalist Charged With Smuggling People With 'Fake Media Contingent' In Australia

    Two US States Designate April As Sikh Awareness And Appreciation Month

    Two US States Designate April As Sikh Awareness And Appreciation Month
    The US state of New Jersey has declared April as ‘Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month’ as part of its effort to promote awareness of the faith.

    Two US States Designate April As Sikh Awareness And Appreciation Month

    WATCH: Malala Returns To Pakistan For First Time Since Attack 6 Years Ago

    WATCH: Malala Returns To Pakistan For First Time Since Attack 6 Years Ago
    Malala Yousafzai, the youngest ever Nobel Laureate, on Thursday arrived in Pakistan, six years after she was shot in head by the Taliban militants for advocating for girls’ education.

    WATCH: Malala Returns To Pakistan For First Time Since Attack 6 Years Ago

    Delaware Declares April As Sikh Awareness And Appreciation Month

    Delaware Declares April As Sikh Awareness And Appreciation Month
    The US State of Delaware has declared April as the ‘Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month’ in recognition of the contribution of the religious minority community.

    Delaware Declares April As Sikh Awareness And Appreciation Month