In a remarkable achievement, 14-year-old Sirish Subash, a ninth-grader from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology in Snellville, Georgia, has been named "America's Top Young Scientist" after winning the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
Sirish's innovative project, PestiSCAND, is an AI-powered handheld device designed to detect pesticide residues on produce. The device employs spectrophotometry, measuring how light of various wavelengths reflects off the surface of fruits and vegetables. A machine learning model then analyzes this data to determine the presence of pesticides. During testing, PestiSCAND achieved an accuracy rate of over 85% in identifying pesticide residues on spinach and tomatoes, meeting the project's objectives for effectiveness and speed.
The inspiration for PestiSCAND came from a conversation between Sirish and his mother about the effectiveness of washing produce to remove pesticides. This curiosity led him to research the prevalence of pesticide residues on produce and their potential health risks, including links to serious diseases such as brain cancer, leukemia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.
Over the course of 11 months, Sirish developed PestiSCAND, investing significant time and effort into creating a device that could provide consumers with a reliable method to detect pesticide residues on their produce. His dedication and innovative thinking earned him the $25,000 grand prize at this year's 3M Young Scientist Challenge, surpassing nine other finalists.
Sirish's accomplishment not only highlights his exceptional talent and commitment to science but also underscores the importance of addressing food safety concerns through innovative solutions. His work with PestiSCAND offers a promising tool for consumers to ensure the safety of their produce, potentially reducing the risk of consuming harmful pesticide residues.
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