A Westwood High School senior has earned the $10,000 Mary Sue Coleman Award for Life Science Innovation & Impact for her groundbreaking research on regenerating nerve cells.
Uma S. was recognized at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF) for her project, “Neural Regeneration Using PGE2 as a Therapeutic,” which explored how a compound called PGE2 can help repair damaged neurons.
Her experiments showed that PGE2 promoted axonal regeneration and improved cell survival following injury. She also studied how the compound interacts with other receptors and its potential role in protecting neurons in inflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
For Uma, her research is personal.
“I started researching nerve injuries and diseases over a decade ago,” she said. “Growing up with a father diagnosed with multiple sclerosis showed me firsthand the devastating impact of neurodegeneration, with no current solution to the problem. With age, I was able to advance my research questions and aim higher.”
Her journey has taken her from elementary science fairs to prestigious labs across the country. As a sophomore, she earned an ISEF Grand Award for modeling the progression of MS, then conducted research at Yale and Stanford. By her junior year, she was testing axon regeneration strategies at UT Austin, and this past summer she joined the Research Science Institute at MIT, conducting neuroscience research at Harvard.
“Nerve regeneration was one area where my personal motivation intersected with my passion for scientific innovation,” she said.
Uma hopes her success inspires other young scientists to pursue their own ideas.
“My advice is to find problems you genuinely care about and stay consistent,” she said. “I began competing in science fairs in 3rd grade, and each year built on what I learned. Passion is what sustains you through long hours of experiments and setbacks. Choose a problem you want to solve, and go for it.”
Stories like Uma’s highlight how fostering curiosity and innovation in young people can strengthen the health and resilience of our community for years to come.