Bangalore :
Gayathri Muthukumar (17) stood in front of five doctors who were enacting a disease each. She looked at them carefully, listened to their complaints and diagnosed their conditions – Parkinsons, Spinocerebellar ataxia, Huntington’s disease (HD), major depression and amnesia. The Bangalore girl emerged the winner at the 7th Indian National Brain Bee (INBB) finale held on Sunday at SevenHills Hospital in Mumbai.
Brain Bee is a quiz competition on neurosciences for students who have exceptional credentials in Biology and are keen on pursuing careers in healthcare. Apart from testing students’ knowledge on the human brain, the competition engages them in learning about neuroscience. Students have to answer a quiz, write a test and identify specimens shown to them. The doctor-patient stimulation, where doctors enact a disease and the student has to make a diagnosis, makes for the most interesting bit. Participants are handed out preparation material before the quiz.
Gayathri, a Class 11 student at National Public School, Indiranagar, is eager to take up a career in Biology. “I have a strong foundation in Science. I visited a few museums during my childhood, which kindled my curiosity in the subject. Since then, there has been no looking back,” beamed the teenager. The daughter of an engineer and a homemaker, Gayathri had been preparing for the quiz for a month. “The practical sessions were very interesting. They actually tested our application skills,” she said.
A learner of Carnatic music and Bharatnatyam, Gayathri says she takes out time for all the activities she loves. Gayathri will participate in the 16th International Brain Bee finals, scheduled from August 7 to 10, 2014, along with the 122nd American Psychology Association Convention, in Washington DC.
Dr Harleen Luther, senior consultant, brain, spine and peripheral nerve surgery, dept. of neurosurgery, SevenHills Hospital, said, “The purpose of INBB is to motivate young students to learn about the brain and inspire them to opt for careers in basic and clinical neurosciences. Witnessing this talent at such a young age in India is a satisfying experience.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / April 24th, 2014