Alexandria, VA – Some of the region’s brightest young minds are already thinking far into the future—and being recognized for it.
At a regional awards ceremony held at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, student winners of the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition were honored for innovative projects tackling real-world challenges. Among them: an Alexandria-based team whose idea could one day help repair damaged hearts.
Their project, SYNCARDIA, proposes a forward-looking approach to treating heart attack damage by using targeted nanoparticles guided by ultrasound to convert scar tissue back into functioning cardiac muscle.
“We’ve all seen how scary heart attacks can be for our families, and we wanted to do something that actually makes a difference,” said student Ruhi Nalla. “After a heart attack, part of the heart turns into scar tissue that can’t do its job anymore… Syncardia is designed to help restore that function.”
ExploraVision, one of the world’s largest K–12 STEM competitions, challenges students to imagine technologies 10 or more years into the future—pushing them to blend science, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.
“Our decision to participate gave us the opportunity to think innovatively and out of the box about how science and technology might be used to address problems in the future,” said Rishitha Mantri. “It really challenged our imagination.”
That imagination came with real hurdles. Designing a system that could precisely target damaged heart tissue required careful research and problem-solving.
“We struggled with how to ensure the treatment would only affect the scar tissue,” said Saanvi Agiwal. “After a lot of research, we found that ultrasound technology could guide the nanoparticles directly to the site.”
The team also explored new technical skills along the way, including computer-aided design and 3D printing.
“My favorite part was being pushed to try new things,” said Aashika Pesaladinne. “Before this, I had never used CAD software, and we loved learning how to design and 3D print our prototype.”
Students at the ceremony were recognized with award certificates, individual Chromebooks, and the opportunity to present their projects—offering a glimpse into the next generation of innovators.
Beyond the awards, the recognition highlights something bigger: local students stepping onto a national stage at a time when demand for STEM talent continues to grow.
From tackling heart disease to mastering advanced design tools, these students aren’t just learning about the future—they’re helping build it.
PHOTO ATTACHED
Alt text: Group of students and mentors holding a “Toshiba NSTA ExploraVision 2026 Regional Winner” banner at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, including teacher Steven Willmore, students Aashika Pesaladinne, Rishitha Mantri, Ruhi Nalla, and Saanvi Agiwal, Toshiba representative Sarah Kish, and coach Latha Pesaladinne.
Caption: ExploraVision regional winners pose with their award at a ceremony at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. From left: Steven Willmore (teacher), Aashika Pesaladinne, Rishitha Mantri, Ruhi Nalla, Saanvi Agiwal, Sarah Kish (Toshiba representative), and Latha Pesaladinne (coach). The team was honored for its project SYNCARDIA, a forward-looking concept using nanoparticles and ultrasound to repair heart damage. Photo: Thomas Jefferson High School
