Ishika Nag finds passion for STEM
Senior Ishika Nag stands proudly after accepting an award.
February 22, 2023
“I was determined… passionate,” Ishika Nag, 12, said.
With having the highest GPA at Oviedo, being the grand award winner at the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida, the Top Prize winner at Florida’s Nelson Ying Competition, a Category Award winner at The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, Engineer Girl Ambassador for her work leading elementary Student Engineering Teams, and a finalist in Regeneron Science Talent Search – it’s clear that Nag embodies passion and determination that allows her to get where she wants to be.
Nag fell in love with STEM in elementary school, and in middle school that love turned into not only passion, but a career path. Her love grew through the SECME club giving Nag confidence to pursue a career in STEM.
“By working hard, [my parents] built a new life in a new country and found success,” Nag said. “Their hard work led to them fulfilling the American dream. Now, their example inspires me to chase that dream for myself.”
And chase that dream she has. Nag plans to become an environmental engineer and pursue science research in college with a goal to “create sustainable solutions to the world’s environmental challenges,” displaying a true embodiment of passion, determination, and ambition.
Ishika Nag is a finalist for the “Regeneron Science Talent Search,” the nation’s oldest and most prestigious STEM competition. She has been working on her project, ‘Development of an Engineered Face Mask With Optimized Nanoparticle Layering for Filtration of Air Pollutants and Viral Pathogens,’ since middle school. Nag’s project is her very own research into how nanoparticle coatings applied to face masks and filters can improve how they combat air pollutants and viruses in a cost effective way, while also not reducing airflow through the filter.
Nag’s ambition, determination, and passion for her work has been recognized. The Regeneron Science Talent Search is no small feat; being the first finalist in eleven years from Oviedo – with only 40 selected every year. Not only being the nation’s most prestigious STEM competition, but this competition represents five years of work for Ishika Nag.
Starting her project in just eighth grade, she’s only put in hard, continuous work since then to prepare for this moment. Her application to this competition totaled 193 pages, which compiled four years of research into many many essays and research papers.
Ishika Nag serves as an example of hard work, determination, passion and ambition for our future. She is on a mission to bring the future to now. As a woman of color in STEM, Ishika Nag embodies power and courageous independence.
“Women in STEM are determined. They are truly passionate about their careers, they have to be. Especially those in more close-minded communities,” she said. “Having the grit to choose their own path and stick to it is an admirable trait that I hope to emulate.”
