Raminder Kaur Parihar
Raminder Kaur Parihar, 18, of Floral Park, entered the Intel Science Talent Search with a research project in medicine and health that she hopes eventually will contribute to discovering the causes of Parkinson's disease. Although the cause of the neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease is not known, several theories include the notion of "glutamate excitotoxicity." Glutamate is an amino acid that functions as a neurotransmitter in the mature nervous system. Remi's (Raminder Kaur) project, carried out in the Department of Neurosurgical Surgery at New York's Montefiore Hospital, directly addresses the question of how the actions of glutamate change with age. She reports evidence that the blocking of a particular glutamate receptor, or maintaining it in an immature state, could prevent or delay the progression of the disease. At the Bronx High School of Science, Remi is a member of the science club and the Indian Cultural Society. She has also produced an award-winning paper for the Metropolitan New York Math Fair. She has done hospital volunteer work for two summers and wants to become a doctor. The daughter of Surjit Singh and Kamaljit Kaur Parihar, Remi hopes to study at Johns Hopkins University New York.
Singh Sabha of New York congratulates for her national level achievement. It is a great honor to Sikh community. She is a promising girl. We are proud of her. She was one of the 10 brightest 'Junior Noble Prize Winners" who were honored in Washington D.C. on March 11, 2002. Raminder was awarded $5000 in addition to a laptop computer. Earlier when she was amongst the 40 semifinalists of the Intel Science Talent Search she was awarded $2000, including $1000 for school. Raminder Kaur and her parents S.Surjit Singh and Kamaljit Kaur were twice honored with robe of honor (Siropas) by the Singh Sabha congregation.
"I am not the brightest person around but my parents provided the inspiration and atmosphere. It then boiled down to making them proud,” says Raminder, who had to cut down the partying to enter the celebrated contest. This shows how much humility she possesses and the great respect she has for her parents.
Many of the previous winners have gone on to greater deeds. The competition was started by Westinghouse Electric Co and Science Service and is in its 61st year. It boasts five finalists who have won the Nobel Prize, two who have received the Fields Medal —the math equivalent of a Nobel.
Raminder surprised herself and her parents with a research project in which she reported evidence that the blocking of a particular glutamate receptor, or maintaining it in an immature state, could prevent or delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease. "Dad almost went to medical school before becoming an engineer. I want to be a doctor," she declared.
May God bless her with still higher achievements.
