Meet Alumni:

Viraj Pandey

2021 Young Scientist Challenge Winner

Now in 10th grade, Viraj is working on a new project aimed at re-inventing farming strategies. Viraj enjoys science, history and 3D modeling, and is in his school’s gardening club.

We know that you are working on a new project now. Tell us more about that! What have you been up to since participating in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

My project investigates the use of non-toxic, water-soluble, and biocompatible Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) in enhancing plant growth due to the following:

• Better oxygen supply and glucose generation in the plant
• Enabling photomorphogenesis by augmenting the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR)
• Enabling early plant disease detection

What are your favorite three school subjects?

Science, History, and 3D-Modeling

Are you involved in any school teams or clubs, if so which ones?

I am a member of my school’s Makers Club and Gardening club.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to major in a STEM field and would love to be in the research field. At this point, I don't know exactly what kind of science I would like to major in, but it could be in chemistry, physics, material sciences, or astrophysics.

Currently, what about the 3M YSC Alumni Network most excites you?

Connecting with past years' 3M winners and no matter when you did the challenge is the best thing ever! We all are being given another chance to work under one platform and continue our ideas or bring about new ideas. I would love to hear about their projects! I was super excited to see someone from the year 2011 in the team of finalists! Great ideas will be exchanged again.