South Windsor High School junior Srinidhi Karthik recently was one of two students selected to represent Connecticut at the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)– the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition.
ISEF brings together over 1,800 of the most promising high school researchers from more than 75 countries to present innovative projects across 22 categories, from biomedical engineering to artificial intelligence. For the first time in SWHS history, two students, Srinidhi Karthik and Karthik Srikumar have earned this recognition with Sri being the first female from South Windsor to attend.
“To earn a place at ISEF, I presented my research topic titled ‘TETRA-C: Accelerating Cancer Therapy Through AI-Optimized Telomerase Inhibition, Enzymatic Targeting, and the Suppression of Metastasis,’” Sri said.
TETRA-C is an AI-based platform that enhances existing cancer drugs by identifying optimized compounds that bind more effectively to telomerase, an enzyme that enables cancer cells to replicate indefinitely. The system also proposes drug combinations aimed at reducing metastasis, with the goal of advancing personalized, targeted cancer therapy.
At CSEF, Sri received:
- 1st Place in Life Sciences
- New Haven University Scholarship
- Gerber Medal of Excellence
“Based on these awards, I was selected to represent Connecticut at ISEF,” Sri said. “I was one of two students chosen — the other being Karthik Srikumar, who also earned top honors for his independent research”
At CSEF, Sri was also awarded the Gerber Medal of Excellence, one of the fair’s most prestigious honors. Named in memory of H. Joseph Gerber, the medal is given to the student whose project shows outstanding scientific merit, originality, and potential impact. Sri received this recognition for her cancer therapy research which was incredibly meaningful and affirmed the importance of pursuing science that makes a difference.
“My friends and I are currently working on launching a nonprofit organization aimed at empowering young women in STEM, especially those interested in research,” Sri said. “The organization will provide mentorship, research training, speaker events, and community-focused STEM projects. Our goal is to create an inclusive space where girls feel supported and confident in leading research and innovation. We’re excited to share more as the organization grows.”
Also selected to represent Connecticut at ISEF is SWHS sophomore Karthik Srikumar, whose research focuses on creating a more sustainable and efficient approach to AI. His project, OATNet, reimagines how large language models, like ChatGPT, operate.
“What if you had something like ChatGPT, but it used 30% less energy and performed just as well?” Karthik said. “That’s what OATNet makes possible.”
Instead of relying on massive matrix multiplications, OATNet breaks language processing into compressed patterns that mimic the natural geometry of how words relate in space. This makes the model faster, greener, and more mathematically accurate, all while preserving, or even improving, language understanding. For instance, phrases like “It’s lit” are better interpreted in context using OATNet’s geometry-aware system.
For his innovation, Karthik earned several notable awards:
- Quinnipiac University $30,000 Award for Excellence in Computer Science
- Maplesoft Award for Excellence in Applied Mathematics or Mathematical Modeling ($1,500)
Together, Srinidhi and Karthik are not only breaking barriers for South Windsor High School, they are setting a new standard for what’s possible through passion, research, and innovation. As the first students in SWHS history to attend ISEF, their achievements highlight the growing strength of the school’s STEM community and inspire future student scientists to dream big.
