Prerna Bankupalli

Prerna Bankupalli is a junior at Old Bridge High School. She has a strong interest in medicine and research, particularly in the fields of pediatrics and cardiology. She is a Junior Researcher with the New York Academy of Sciences and is developing an AI-driven approach to address food waste issues. She recently completed a project about genetic literacy with Harvard University Global Health. Prerna is currently preparing to present a project about the effects of stroke on epilepsy at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is skilled in a variety of laboratory techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, cell culture, and spectrophotometry. She is the co-founder and co-president of her school's HOSA chapter, serves as an International Outreach Lead for India HOSA, and earned second place at the HOSA International Leadership Conference as a freshmen. Prerna is also a Bharatanatyam dancer and earned an Award of Excellence in the dance form.