Kanawha County Schools students made waves at the 2025–2026 Region 3 Science Fair, competing against peers from Boone, Clay, and Putnam counties.
Their award-winning research spanned aerospace engineering, cancer studies, environmental sustainability, cognitive psychology, mathematics, and more — showcasing the depth of talent and academic excellence across the district.
2025–2026 Region 3 Science Fair Winners
These students will now advance to the West Virginia State Science & Engineering Fair on March 9, 2026, where they will compete for a chance to move on to the national level.
Ella Krason (9th)
Animal Sciences
Project: Researching frontal lobe development
School: George Washington High School
Hope Wu (9th)
Mathematics – Analysis
Project: Analyzing Lionel Messi’s impact on MLS game outcomes
School: George Washington High School
Pranav Ponugupati (9th)
Biochemistry
Project: Testing compounds from sweet peppers to examine effects on aging and stress resistance
School: George Washington High School
Shrija Malkaram (9th)
Biomedical & Health Sciences
Project: Comparing epigenetic profiles across different types of cancer
School: George Washington High School
Henry Davis (10th) & Ian Osborne (10th)
Engineering – Aerospace
Project: Designing and improving a hybrid rocket nozzle to maximize thrust at different altitudes
School: George Washington High School
Saja Huggi (10th)
Environmental Engineering
Project: Exploring the hidden water usage behind our online activity
School: George Washington High School
Manvitha Sanjaya (11th) & Charvitha Sanjaya (9th)
Cellular & Molecular Biology
Project: Enhancing spinach with Omega-3 nutrients to help reduce obesity and heart disease risk
School: George Washington High School
Vihaan Kakani (11th)
Behavioral & Social Sciences
Project: Comparing spaced study sessions vs. cramming on memory and test performance
School: George Washington High School
Iqraa Zaman (12th)
Translational Medical Science
Project: Studying genetic survival patterns in glioblastoma and identifying potential biomarkers under stress
School: George Washington High School
2025–2026 Region 3 Science Fair Middle School Winners
In addition to high school honorees, Kanawha County Schools middle school students also earned top recognition at the Region 3 Science Fair, demonstrating that innovation and advanced research begin early in KCS classrooms.
Nathaniel Dodd (7th Grade), John Adams Middle School
Systems Software – Algorithms
Project: The Speed of Different Sorting Algorithms
Vedanshi Pachaun (8th Grade), John Adams Middle School
Physics & Astronomy – Nuclear and Particle Physics
Project: Light’s Double Identity: The Wave–Particle Duality
Congratulations to these outstanding students for their curiosity and commitment to excellence. Their success at the Region 3 Science Fair reflects the strength of STEM education across our district and the bright future ahead for these young innovators as they prepare to compete at the state level.