{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-alumni-grant-recipient-js","path":"/alumni-center/alumni-grant-recipients/aakash-manaswi-2025","result":{"data":{"recipient":{"firstName":"Aakash","lastName":"Manaswi","slug":"aakash-manaswi-2025","year":2025,"finalistYear":2024,"finalistAward":"Finalist","grantType":"Continuation of 3M Young Scientist Challenge Project Grant","cardImage":"2025-aakash-manaswi.png","quoteImage":"Manaswi-Aakash-2025-Alum-Grant-Quote.png","quote":"Through the experiences of beekeepers I have been motivated to help out. Through the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, I hope to advance my prototype and contribute to a solution for the varroa mite that could solve the largest problem of our prized pollinators.","cardDescription":"Aakash was awarded the Continuation of 3M Young Scientist Challenge Project Grant for their work on their 3M Young Scientist Challenge project: “Evaluating the Efficacy of Novel Carbon Dioxide Spray and Pesticides Using a Convolutional Neural Network for Varroa Mite Treatment in Honeybee Colonies.”","aboutProject":["Honeybees are essential to our food supply, pollinating 80% of crops and contributing over $180 billion to the global economy each year. But in the U.S., beekeepers are losing up to half their hives annually — mostly due to a deadly parasite called the Varroa mite.","Current chemical treatments can help, but they come with risks to bees, the environment, and long-term effectiveness. Their research tested CO₂ as a non-toxic, affordable alternative to traditional pesticides. In field trials with 45 hives, CO₂ eliminated over 96% of mites — matching or outperforming industry-standard treatments. They also developed innovative tools, including a CO₂ delivery device, a mite-counting AI system, and a predictive model to help beekeepers monitor hive health.","This breakthrough could transform how we protect honeybees — and help reverse their global decline."],"inspiration":["Five years ago, I visited a local beekeeper, Mr. Griner’s apiary. When we suited up and went to look at the hives, I noticed nearly half of them were completely empty! When I asked him why, his answer was just one word: varroa. After finding out that bees are responsible for 80% of global crop pollination, but there is a 40–50% decline in bee populations every year, I was inspired by my love for food and knew I had to help. My research began with a promise. After three years of research, I think I have a solution for beekeepers across the globe."]}},"pageContext":{"slug":"aakash-manaswi-2025","relatedRecipients":[{"slug":"sean-jiang-2025","year":2025,"firstName":"Sean","lastName":"Jiang","finalistYear":2023,"finalistAward":"Finalist","grantType":"Continuation of 3M Young Scientist Challenge Project Grant","cardImage":"2025-sean-jiang.png","cardDescription":"Sean was awarded the Continuation of 3M Young Scientist Challenge Project Grant for their work on their 3M Young Scientist Challenge project: \"Infosound—A Novel Navigation Device Powered by AI and Depth-Sensing Technology for the Blind.\""},{"slug":"anish-kosaraju-2025","year":2025,"firstName":"Anish","lastName":"Kosaraju","finalistYear":2023,"finalistAward":"Finalist","grantType":"Science in Your Community Grant","cardImage":"2025-anish-kosaraju.png","cardDescription":"Anish was awarded the Science in Your Community Grant for their work on VeriCare — an AI-boosted solution to medical billing overcharges."},{"slug":"veda-murthy-2025","year":2025,"firstName":"Veda","lastName":"Murthy","finalistYear":2021,"finalistAward":"Finalist","grantType":"Science in Your Community Grant","cardImage":"2025-veda-murthy.png","cardDescription":"Veda was awarded the Science in Your Community Grant for their work on the Vishnu Murthy Foundation – a non-profit organization focusing on struggling teens and young adults in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities to provide them mental health care packages, STEM tutoring services and project-based learning in honor of their late brother, Vishnu."}]}},"staticQueryHashes":["1877358583","2853049992","3432942819","4119215080","4285582392"]}