Marissa Sumathipala is a sophomore at Broad Run High School, and founder of the Broad Run Northern VA iGEM team. She is a 2015 National BioGENEius Finalist and top winner at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium for her research on the long term epigenetics of agrochemicals and increased expression of FOXO transcription factor and high fat/sugar diets on age-related cardiac decline, both modeled in fruit flies. Marissa approaches science research with a rational mindset, reading, observing and constantly analyzing to advance herself and the world in this new and upcoming field. She is also a competitive freestyle skater. In her free time, Marissa enjoys, writing and reading novels, performing fruit fly heart surgeries, photography, and playing field hockey.
Adriel Sumathipala is a senior at Broad Run High School and aspiring bioengineer. He has been honored as a two time Intel ISEF finalist, a 2014 BioGENEius Challenge International Finalist, and a 2015 Google Science Fair Global Finalist for his research in bioengineering on microfluidic diagnostic systems and miniaturized self-sustaining power sources for bioimplants. Adriel approaches synthetic biology with a critical mind, analyzing, observing and constantly learning more about this new and rapidly evolving field. In his free time Adriel enjoys watching old West Wing episodes, playing his bassoon, listening to history podcasts, and taking his dog Benny on long walks.
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