Ali Hamza Meer

Studied and wrote secondary research article on CRISPR-Cas9 Applications in relation to disease resistance

During my grade 11 summer, I worked on a Microbiology project focusing on the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), the insect responsible for citrus greening disease, under the supervision of Dr. Zia-ur-Rehmaan. I developed and validated a molecular marker for DNA barcoding of the ACP to investigate regional variations in pest populations. My responsibilities included designing plasmid constructs and conducting field sampling to assess ACP prevalence in different citrus groves. This hands-on experience enhanced my analytical skills and helped me understand the complexities of pest dynamics. The findings from this project contributed to my recognition as a finalist at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and earned me 1st place in Microbiology at the National Science and Engineering Fair (NSEF).

During my first internship under Muhammad Noor Ahmed, I worked on a project investigating soil microbiomes to enhance nitrogen fixation in legume crops. I developed practical skills in DNA and RNA extraction using phenol-chloroform methods and silica column purification. I also learned to perform quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, focusing on primer design and optimization to analyze gene expression of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Additionally, I gained experience in microbial culturing, using selective media to isolate beneficial microbes, and conducted microbiome profiling through 16S rRNA sequencing. Although I faced initial challenges with PCR consistency, I embraced feedback and rapidly improved my techniques. By the end of the summer, I presented my findings in an internal seminar.

It is a vocational empowerment program founded to uplift women in rural farming communities by promoting equality and self-dependence. This inititive provides sewing machines enabling women to achieve financial independence. Through advocacy and community engagement, Roshan Raasta has raised $3,000 to distribute sewing machines and has empowered dozens of women to break the cycle of dependence. By encouraging self-reliance and economic inclusion, the initiative seeks to transform societal norms and create pathways to a brighter future for marginalized women.

As the founder of TerraWrap, I prototyped biodegradable sheets using agricultural waste, specifically corn husks, to combat plastic pollution. During the initial phase, I researched and developed a sustainable method for producing these sheets, ensuring they could effectively replace single-use plastic products. I successfully scaled the project, collaborating with local producers to enhance production capabilities. To date, TerraWrap has cut over 10,000 sheets, eliminating the need for more than 5,000 plastic items annually.