Telugu American student bags 2nd position in Siemens Westinghouse competition

Kiran Pendri of Wellingford, Connecticut, secured the second position with a $50,000 scholarship in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition National Finals for 2005-06 announced in New York on Monday morning.

Earlier, Kiran was the New England Regional Winner which brought him to the finals.

Kiran Pendri, Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, Connecticut, is 2005-06 Siemens Westinghouse Competition New England Regional Winner for his project: Quantitative and Highly Sensitive Luciferase-based Assay for Bacterial Toxins that Inhibit Protein Synthesis . Kiran wins a $3,000 scholarship and an invitation to the national finals to be held in New York, December 2 - 5, 2005.


Kiran Pendri
Choate Rosemary Hall
Wallingford, CT

Macrocyclization Using Ring-Closing Olefin Metathesis: Synthesis of a 13-Member Dithiolactone

Kiran Pendri’s project, synthesis of a novel dithiolactone macrocycle, incorporates recent Noble Prize winning chemistry research and contributes to the ongoing understanding of the art of synthesizing organic molecules. This study might contribute to future pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing developments. Essentially creating a new “Lego” shape or building block for creating new molecules. Macrocyclization using a Ring-Closing Olefin Metathesis allows for the creation of a useful mid-sized molecular ring that can serve as a precursor for the synthesis of new chemical species. Metathesis is an example of how important basic science has been applied for the benefit of man, society and the environment. His mentors were Prof. Erik Sorensen and Dr. Brian Goess, Princeton University.

Kiran Pendri, a senior, is interested to study chemistry in college. He is a member of the Cum Laude Honor Society. He is member of varsity math team, judicial committee senior member, president of Choate Indian Association. His main hobby is investing using analytical tools. He is first boat coxswain for Choate Boys Crew team.

Courtesy: Siemens Foundation , Rediff