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Saline High School Senior Neel Moudgal will be traveling to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this weekend to receive the prestigious Davidson award, along with twenty other recipients from around the country. Moudgal will be presented with a $25,000 scholarship from the Davidson Institute for his project, “Unassigned NMR Chemical Shifts to Model RNA Secondary Structure.”
Moudgal, 16, began working on the project with Dr. Aaron Frank at the University of Michigan in May 2020, and the paper which detailed his work was published in April 2022.
“My project essentially focused on improving current methods to predict the structure of RNA molecules,” Moudgal said. “While the sequence of bases in an RNA molecule is important, it is really the structure of the RNA that provides insight into how it performs catalytic and regulatory activities. My project focused on creating a computational method that used raw, easily obtainable, experimental data to rapidly predict the structure of an RNA molecule with high accuracy.”
His project findings have the potential to allow researchers to develop novel treatments for pathogens such as SARS- CoV-2, and other viruses. In addition, it could significantly reduce costs relating to pharmaceutical development and patient treatment.
“I was thrilled to learn that I had been chosen as a 2022 Davidson Fellow and that the committee deemed my work strong enough to merit the award,” he said. “In years past, I have felt deep admiration for the accomplishments of the previous Davidson Fellows, and it was especially meaningful for me to become part of that community.”
Moudgal has been captain of the SHS Varsity Quiz Bowl team, which traveled this year to Atlanta, Georgia to compete at nationals. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his family, reading, and collecting rocks, coins and stamps.
“I love to collect rocks and minerals. I’ve been a rock hound since the age of six. Collecting postage stamps is a hobby my grandfather introduced me to,” he said.
Moudgal has a bright future ahead, with plans to continue his studies.
“After graduation, I hope to double major in biophysics and statistics with the hopes of eventually becoming a physician scientist who performs lab-based biomedical research and has clinical experience to inform that research.”
Moudgal credits his parents for his academic success.
“I would like to add that none of my accomplishments would have been possible without my parents and their never-ending support. My parents have always inspired me to pursue my dreams, showed me that obstacles should not deter me, and have been my greatest cheerleaders.”
Sunny, with a high of 71 and low of 43 degrees. Sunny during the morning, clear overnight.
No, the motion to approve & adopt was made by Ceo, seconded by Lesch. If you're interested in an unedited/unredacted version of Monday's meeting, the link to the video recording of our budget work session and regular meeting is provided below -
Thank you to those Council members who support the citizens and the Rec Center.
Please note, the rec center now requires 1/3 to almost 1/2 of its operations be funded by the City of Saline taxpayers. Approximately 10% of our City population uses the facility, while 2/3 of the members are non-resident. It’s time the non City residents of the Saline community pays its fair share.
What happened with the funding for the needed repairs at the Recreation Center? With all of the programs and community services provided at the Recreation Center, the nearby communities spending tens of millions of dollars to build new Recreation Centers, and the number of members/high usage for the Center and part
Name all the municipalities of 10,000 people that have their own Rec Center with a pool. I'm generally curious.
Saline Area Schools needs to take over the Rec Center with a Rec creation millage and maybe a short bond issue, too, for improvements.
The mayor and city council love to spend taxpayer dollars frivolously. More and more $$$ into the rec center, that needs to stop. We still don’t have drinkable water and yet the city keeps raising rates. Can’t speak for everyone but I would much rather have clean water than a “lazy river!”
Sorry, Toby Crotty. Do not align to your assessment or thoughts. While nearby communities are spending tens of millions of dollars to build Recreation Centers (because of their value to citizens and communities), Saline is in the fortunate position of already having a very good facility in place which now needs to
You avoided my main point. The rec center is a nice amenity for those that use it. However, it is not a necessity. Clean safe water that we pay exorbitant rates for IS a necessity for EVERYONE!
The unprofessional behavior while in the supposed role of being a journalist when talking to that protester is ridiculous. The incorrect information and “facts” you spewed during the conversation are just par for the course. Thanks for showing up!
I agree with your comments about this journalist. I use the word journalist loosely here, as a journalist should be bringing forth the views of the people they are interviewing, not bringing their obvious bias into every forced conversation.
I understand the right 4 peaceful protests, why expose children to hate and show disrespect to our flag, what is that teaching the children. As a Korean Veteran I oppose anyone disrespecting our countries FLAG, shame on the protesters,