CHS student Mehek S. capped an exciting week at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles with a lofty result and monetary prize.

Mehek placed second in the microbiology category at the international competition, while competing against 1,327 projects from 370 schools spanning 47 states and 67 countries. She earned a $2,000 prize.

During the all-expenses-paid trip to L.A. with science research coordinator Jeanette Collette and their team, the CHS group had the opportunity to exhale with visits to Universal Studios, the Warner Brothers Studio, Santa Monica Pier and Hollywood.

They also attended scientific workshops and enjoyed a Q&A with astronaut Jeannette Epps from the International Space Station.

Mehek’s research involved the secretion of the Francisella tularensis protein FTL_1123 by Escherichia coli containing the HlyBD operon. The project was developed under the mentorship of Dr. David Thanassi at Stony Brook University.