Vidya Ambati
Albemarle High School
Charlottesville, Virginia
Haldol Reduces the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout via the Novel Receptor LAMTOR1
Vidya searched for new therapies for types of inflammatory arthritis.
These diseases damage the joints, causing pain and stiffness.
Vidya Ambati, 17, of Charlottesville, Virginia, found a new receptor for the drug haloperidol (Haldol) for her Regeneron Science Talent Search biochemistry project. Vidya believes this receptor may be why the drug is linked to a lower risk of inflammatory arthritis, a discovery she made by analyzing health insurance databases. Gout and rheumatoid arthritis are two common causes of joint pain and stiffness. They affect tens of millions of people worldwide, including Vidya’s grandmother. Her struggles with arthritis prompted Vidya to find new ways to treat or prevent it.
For her project, Vidya studied how cellular proteins interact with haloperidol. She found that it blocks the inflammatory process by binding to the receptor LAMTOR1. It was previously unknown that LAMTOR1 was a receptor for haloperidol — its first new receptor for this drug found in decades. Her discoveries could unlock a new approach to treating these diseases.
Vidya, the child of Jayakrishna and Kameshwari Ambati, attends Albemarle High School. She founded and leads the Speak to a Scientist Hero program, linking students to inspiring role models in STEM.
Beyond the Project
Vidya was a research intern at the University of Virginia for three years and co-invented four patent filings based on her findings.
FUN FACTS: Vidya is a self-taught artist who enjoys multiple art media types. She was president of her school ceramics club and has won state-wide painting and photography competitions.
