65th Annual STS (2005-2006)
Finalists
Sheela Krishnan

NEW YORK
Sheela Krishnan, 17, of Suffern, researched the antimicrobial activity of over 1,000 bacterial isolates from the honey sacs of honeybees (Apis mellifera) against seven pathogens for her Intel Science Talent Search project in microbiology. Her two-year study included Paenibacillus larvae, which causes American Foulbrood Disease (AFB) - the most virulent and fatal bacterial disease that devastates bee farms worldwide. She identified the most effective bacterial isolates and combined them into a probiotic cocktail for preventative therapy against AFB. This novel research on antimicrobial compounds may lead to the production of a broad spectrum of new antibacterial and antifungal compounds for combating multidrug-resistant diseases. Sheela attends Suffern High School where she co-founded the Model UN and is concert mistress of the orchestra. Trained in Indian classical music, she performs both Carnatic and Hindustani variations. Her interest in honey was ignited after visiting India her freshman year, when her grandfather informed her of its natural health benefits. The daughter of Drs. Raghavan and Lalitha Krishnan, she hopes to pursue a career as a physician.