DOH honors high schoolers for creativity and insight in statewide health data contest





News Release [ [link removed] ]




*For immediate release:* May 27, 2025                            (25-073)

*Contact:* DOH Communications <[email protected]>

Winners announced in 2025 WTN Youth Science Contest 

DOH honors high schoolers for creativity and insight in statewide health data contest

*OLYMPIA* – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) celebrates the winners of the fourth annual Washington Tracking Network (WTN) Youth Science Contest [ [link removed] ]. The competition gives high school students across Washington the chance to explore local health and environmental data while developing their scientific and communication skills.    

Students submitted a range of creative and analytical projects including research essays and social media campaigns across three categories: health science, community engagement, and science communication. A panel of DOH experts in each field reviewed submissions based on their subject matter, relevance to health and equity, and overall presentation. 

“We created this contest to engage a wider range of students than traditional science competitions,” said Jennifer Sabel, WTN Manager, DOH. “Our goal is to help students see how science and equity connect to the things they care about.” 

Winning entries are now available to view on the WTN website [ [link removed] ].      

 *Health Science*

Individual Division 


* 1st Place – Relationship Between Household Income and Loss to Follow Up for Neonatal Hearing Screening in Washington State, by Anisha Upasani, Tesla STEM High School 

* 2nd Place – The Effects of Traffic Air Pollution on Washington Health, by Kiani Valencia, Selah High School 

* 3rd Place – Invisible Chemicals, Visible Impact: Understanding PFAS and Cancer, by Madison Durbin, Selah High School 

Group Division 


* 1st Place – Lead in School Drinking Water, by Beza Mersa and Alexander H., Shorecrest High School 

* 2nd Place – The Health Divide: Exploring the Impact of Economic Inequality on Public Health in Washington State, by Eshaan Verma and Siddharth Yenamandra, Eastlake High School 

* 3rd Place – The Correlation Between Obesity, Poverty, and Esophageal Cancer, by Keerthi Rajesh and Aadya Bansal, Tesla STEM High School 

*Science Communication*

Individual Division 


* 1st Place – Every Breath Counts, by Eesha Sreejith, Annie Wright Schools 

* 2nd Place – Fentanyl: The Silent Killer, by Hasith Atluri, Skyline High School 

* 3rd Place – Lead Exposure: Unseen Risks for Growing Minds, by Senul Wickramaratna, Woodinville High School  

Group Division 


* 1st Place – What’s in Your Water? A Wake-Up Call for Our Schools, by Immanuel Wolde and Aazmeer Uddin, Shorecrest High School 

* 2nd Place (tie) – Skin Cancer, by Imaan Khalid and Binderiya Bayarsaikhan, Shorecrest High School 

* 2nd Place (tie) – The Opioid Epidemic, by Inesh Dey, Iris Dey and Ishaan Kothari, Tesla STEM High School 

* 3rd Place – Wildfire Smoke, by Berkley Gorre, Quinn Whorley, and Ashley Payne, Shorecrest High School 

*Program and Policy Design*

Individual Division 


* 1st Place – Correlation Between Rural Cardiovascular Disease Mortality and Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors: A Multi-step Initiative to Decrease Rural CV Mortality, by Shruthi Lingam-Nattamai, Olympia High School 

* 2nd Place – Drug Overdose Disparities: Preventing Teen Deaths to Overdose and Patching Rural and Age Disparities, by Shrita Palla, North Creek High School 

* 3rd Place – Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs): Why HAIs Are a Problem in Healthcare and How We Can Work to Prevent Them, 11th grader, Shorecrest High School 

Group Division 


* 1st Place – Obesity Preventative Measures for Adolescents Through Physical Activity in Washington State, by Sophia Liao and Chloe Byun, King’s School 

WTN, a program of DOH, is dedicated to increasing public access to health and environmental data. Through data tools, strategic partnerships, and support for evidence-based decision making, WTN aims to advance health outcomes and promote health equity across Washington State. 

Our website [ [link removed] ] is your source for "a healthy dose of information". Get updates by following us on social media [ [link removed] ]. 

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