Cumberland Valley Ninth Grade Academy student Sai Sri Valli Mogilineedi is taking her STEM research to the national stage! From a field of 1,997 students representing 47 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories, Sai has been selected as one of just 30 national finalists in the prestigious Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge for research she completed last year as an eighth grader at Mountain View Middle School.

Inspired by her grandfather’s struggles with heartburn, Sai set out to explore whether she could create a controlled-release antacid that could provide longer-lasting relief for people with GERD. Her research tested calcium alginate beads under conditions similar to stomach acid, with results showing the potential for a slower release of the antacid’s active ingredient.

From Oct. 23–28, Sai will travel to Washington, D.C., where the finalists will take part in a rigorous competition designed to test their abilities in STEM, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. They will compete for $100,000 in awards, including a $25,000 top prize.

From identifying a real-world problem to researching a potential solution, Sai has put the very skills we strive to develop in our students into action on a national level.

Congratulations, Sai! We are #CVProud and will be cheering you on!