May 17, 2010

Local student wins first and third place awards at international competition

Ashley Thelen

MITCHELL – Ashley Thelen’s science fair project, a winner at the South Central South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair at DWU, was recognized at The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2010 in San Jose, Calif.

Thelen, a senior at Mitchell Senior High and daughter of Corey and Lisa Thelen, was awarded $1,000 as a third place winner in the environmental sciences category for her project, “Chemical and Environmental Degradation of Oseltamivir Phosphate.”

When ingested by humans, the antiviral compound oseltamivir phosphate (i.e. Tamiflu™) is converted to its active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) by the liver and excreted through urination. Current sewage treatment technologies are unable to break down OC and the treated effluent is released into waterways. This could expose waterfowl, thereby risking the development of drug-resistant strains of seasonal and avian flu due to selective pressures. Thelen determined an effective and consumer friendly method to break down the OC before it enters the sewer system.

Her research showed that chemical factors, specifically ammonium hydroxide (household ammonia), worked significantly better than other chemical concentrations which were tested, as well as environmental factors such as short and long wave UV light exposures, algae and daphnia. The ammonium hydroxide tested at a 1:2 ratio eliminated 48 percent of the oseltamivir, therefore providing an easy and inexpensive method to reduce oseltamivir contamination.

Thelen also won a first place award from the U.S. Air Force which consisted of a $3,000 cash prize, a medallion and a crystal engraved plaque.

In addition to DWU, sponsors of the South Central South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair include The Daily Republic, Your Touchtone Energy Cooperatives, Sixth District Medical Society, Logan Luxury Theatre and Twin City Fan Companies LTD.