Ellie Chong, a freshman at Highland Park High School, has made a groundbreaking discovery in detecting post-surgery infections early. Her innovative method is both affordable and accessible, costing only around 40 cents. Chong’s project won first place in the Biomedical and Health Science category at the Texas Science and Engineering Fair, including the $1,000 Wayne Squires Award. She was also selected to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May.
Chong’s detection method involves a gel that can be applied to surgical sites under a dressing. The gel changes color to blue if the site is going to display symptoms of infection before those symptoms actually begin. Chong discovered that infected sites become less acidic before symptoms develop, and her gel contains a dye that changes color based on the change in acidity. In addition to gelatin, key ingredients such as collagen and agar-agar are used in the gel.
Chong envisions her project being useful not only in hospitals but also in remote areas where surgery may be carried out during medical missions. Patients in rural areas with limited access to healthcare could utilize the gel to monitor their wounds at home. The simplicity and accessibility of her project make it easily usable by anyone without any specific training or prior knowledge required.
During the development process, Chong experimented with various gel ingredients before settling on gelatin as it altered color when mixed with collagen, making it easier for her to find infected sites early on. Collagen did not alter color while agar-agar disintegrated due to its grainy texture. Finding the right balance of materials was crucial, as too little gelatin resulted in a runny gel while excessive gelatin made the gel brittle and prone to breaking.
Chong expressed her gratitude to her science teachers at Highland Park High School for their guidance and support, as well as to her parents for their encouragement. She hopes that other students interested in science will have the opportunity to explore and pursue their interests, connecting with peers who share the same passion for STEM fields.
In conclusion, Ellie Chong’s innovative detection method is an excellent example of how science can be used to improve healthcare outcomes while keeping costs down. Her discovery could revolutionize wound care by enabling patients with limited access to healthcare resources to monitor their wounds effectively at home.
Furthermore, this discovery could lead further research into developing more advanced wound care products that are easy-to-use and cost-effective for both hospitals and remote areas with limited resources.
Overall, Ellie Chong’s project serves as an inspiration for other young scientists looking to make a difference through their work while demonstrating that science can be accessible even without extensive training or experience.
