Ellie Chong, a talented freshman at Highland Park High School, has come up with an innovative way to detect hospital-acquired infections before symptoms even show. Her project has won first place in the Biomedical and Health Science category at the Texas Science and Engineering Fair, earning her a $1,000 Wayne Squires Award and a spot at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May.
Chong’s invention is a gel that can be applied to surgical sites under a dressing. If the site is going to show signs of infection before symptoms manifest, the gel will turn blue. This is possible because infected sites become less acidic before symptoms develop, and the gel contains a dye that changes color based on the acidity of the solution. After extensive testing with gelatin and other materials, Chong found the perfect combination for the gel.
The potential applications for this project are endless, from hospitals in Dallas to remote areas where medical care may be limited. Patients in rural areas without easy access to medical facilities could use this gel to monitor their wounds at home, providing an easy and fast way to detect infections early without requiring specialized knowledge or training.
Chong expressed her gratitude to her science teachers at Highland Park High School for their support as well as her parents. She hopes that other students interested in science will have the opportunity to pursue their interests and meet like-minded peers through projects like hers. With her talent and determination, Ellie Chong is sure to make big things happen in STEM fields.
