Washington University in St. Louis welcomed 54 students from the St. Louis region Feb. 25 for the first in-person St. Louis Area Brain Bee since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants answered questions about the nervous system, brain structure, cognitive disorders and other topics in neuroscience.
Sanjay Adireddi of Ladue Horton Watkins High School won this year’s competition and will compete in the U.S. National Brain Bee April 21-23. He also has been awarded a summer research fellowship with Brain Bee organizer Erik Herzog, the Viktor Hamburger Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences.
“My true passion for science was ignited in the Science Olympiad event and I wanted to continue to learn more about neuroscience,” said Adireddi, who is considering a career in neuroscience research. “Preparing for a competition-style event while also learning cool things about neuroscience was definitely motivating.”
Past St. Louis Area Brain Bee winner and current organizer Sriharsha Gonuguntla, a sophomore studying neuroscience in Arts & Sciences, said the Brain Bee is a great opportunity to meet experts in the field. About 30 Washington University students, researchers and faculty members volunteered for the event, writing and judging questions, leading neuroscience demonstrations and participating in panel discussions.
“As a St. Louisan, I know a lot of the competitors and it’s exciting to see their own interest and knowledge grow,” said Gonuguntla, who won the 2020 competition as a Marquette High School junior.
In addition to Herzog and Gonuguntla, the St. Louis Area Brain Bee is organized by students Daleep Grewal, Jake Joseph and Arjun Nair with support from Synapse, the university’s neuroscience student group.
St. Louis Area Brain Bee Top 10 finalists
Sanjay Adireddi, Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Gaayathri Binoj, Parkway Central High School
Chinmay Kumar, Lindbergh High School
Ankush Vasireddy, Marquette High School
Anthony Zhao, Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Rebekah Blackmon, Alton High School
Elizabeth Blackmon, Alton High School
Abby Moriarty, St. Joseph Academy
Matthew Awad, Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Diep Tran, Ladue Horton Watkins High School
