Rania Lateef
The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park
Manassas, Virginia
Rhythms and Blues: Evaluating the Impact of Artificial Light Exposure and Circadian Disruption on Biobehavioral Systems in Drosophila melanogaster
Rania studied the effects of circadian dysfunction, sleep deprivation and blue light on physical and mental health in fruit flies.
View Poster
Rania Lateef, 17, of Manassas, studied circadian dysfunction and sleep disruption in fruit flies for her Regeneron Science Talent Search animal sciences project. In humans, circadian rhythm can affect digestive health, memory, mood and more. Long-term artificial light and screen exposure can disrupt sleep cycles. Rania tested how sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions affect physical and mental health.
In her project, Rania disturbed fruit flies’ circadian rhythms by exposing them to light and shaking each hour for two days. She found that sleep and circadian disruptions worsened the flies’ moods and behaviors. Then, she looked at the effects of eight- or 12-hour blue light exposure, finding that it harmed lifespan, memory, addictive behavior, and intestinal health. Flies exposed to blue light for longer fared worse.
Rania, the child of Tara and Babur Lateef, attends The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park. Rania also studied the sense of smell and its effects on physical and mental health as an intern at the National Institute of Mental Health.
Beyond the Project
Rania founded and runs Maternal and Child Health Upliftment and Progress. Its signature project, Mommy-and-Me care packages, provides essential postnatal items to underserved mothers locally and internationally.
FUN FACTS: Rania loves to scrapbook. She says it’s a relaxing way to capture memories of people, emotions and events.
