Issaquah High School Sophomore Advances to International Science and Engineering Fair

Issaquah High School sophomore Aarav Gupta will compete this month at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix after earning top honors for his research on plastic-degrading enzymes.

Gupta qualified for ISEF through presenting his project at the regional Central Sound Science and Engineering Fair (CSRSEF), where he placed among the top 1% of approximately 300 to 400 projects.

His project focused on “PETase,” an enzyme that can break down PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics, one of the world’s most common forms of plastic waste and commonly found in plastic water bottles. PET plastic can take hundreds of years to break down on its own, but PETase can do it in just a few days.

“The inspiration came from something most of us encounter every day: plastic,” Gupta shared. “When I learned about PETase and its discovery in a Japanese recycling facility, I was struck by the idea that nature had already handed us a tool.”

The challenge is that PETase only works well at lower temperatures, and plastic breaks down much faster at higher temperatures, so the enzyme works too slowly to clean up large amounts of plastic waste.

Gupta compared the challenge to “trying to chew through a rock,” explaining that PETase at lower temperatures is too slow for industrial-scale use. His research aimed to solve that problem by identifying variants of the enzyme that could function at higher temperatures.

According to Gupta, he identified a new, previously undiscovered enzyme variant that can function at high temperatures and is fast-acting. “While I haven't been able to actually test my new enzyme in an actual lab under real life stresses and conditions, I am working on contacting local and accredited labs across the U.S. to try and validate my new discovery,” shared Gupta.

He credits several Issaquah High School teachers with helping him refine and present his work. Gupta said his AP Chemistry teacher, Anthony Scaringi, provided guidance on research presentation and paper development, and his AP Calculus teacher, Ben Reed, helped him create a 3D-printed model of the enzyme for the presentation.

“When Aarav approached me regarding helping him create a model for his enzyme, I was happy to help assist him validate his persistence and curiosity,” shared Reed. “It was exciting to help him bring his research to life with a 3D model, and I’m proud to see his hard work recognized.”

Representing the district on an international stage is especially meaningful, Gupta said.

“The chance to represent it at the international level gives me lots of pride and drive to do my best,” he said. “I hope to make the Issaquah School District proud.”

Gupta said he looks forward not only to presenting his research at ISEF, but also to connecting with students from around the world and learning from fellow young scientists who share his passion for discovery.