This Grade 12 Learner Developed Groundbreaking Research to Help Detect TB

Keerthana Kishor Nair has come up with an innovative and groundbreaking method that will help healthcare professionals detect tuberculosis (TB).

She showcased her groundbreaking research on the world stage at the International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in Tunisia last month.

The festival was held at Mahdia, Tunisia from 22-28 March 2024.

Congratulations to Keerthana Kishor Nair, a Grade 12 learner at Bryanston High School in the Johannesburg Region, for her exceptional achievement at the International Festival of Engineering, Science, and Technology in Tunisia (I-FEST2) from 22 to 28 March 2024.
Keerthana not… pic.twitter.com/rGik6Tuo37

— Eskom Expo for Young Scientists (@Exposcience) April 2, 2024

Nair, a Grade 12 learner from Bryanston High School, won gold at the 2023 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair.

According to a Bizcommunity article, her initiative proposes a game-changing new way for detecting tuberculosis, providing fast findings rather than the days-long wait of traditional testing, which can take several days. This could represent a significant shift in diagnosing and treating the condition quickly.

“Nair, a Gold medal recipient at last year’s Eskom Expo ISF, does not only detect Pulmonary TB, but it also generates instantaneous results, which makes it more efficient than traditional TB detection methods,” according to the publication.

Doctors and healthcare professionals can receive results nearly immediately using Nair’s method, allowing for timely patient treatment.

“Eskom Expo, by empowering learners like these, demonstrates Eskom’s commitment to finding solutions for pressing local and global issues,” said the acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation Mologadi Motshele.

“These young scientists are responding to real-world challenges, offering potential solutions for a more sustainable future.”

Parthy Chetty, Eskom Expo’s executive director, stated that the organisation is thrilled to see young women excelling in STEM and representing South Africa on the international stage, such as Nair and Alexia (Hilton Smedmor, a Grade 10 learner at Parktown High School for Girls and silver medalist at the 2023 Eskom Expo ISF).

#DiscoverEskomExpo Tune in to Hectic Nine-9 on SABC 2 today for an interview with Alexia Hilton Smedmor, a Grade 10 learner at Parktown High School for Girls.

The young scientist is set to participate at the International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in… pic.twitter.com/EPyGIyL160

— Eskom Expo for Young Scientists (@Exposcience) March 20, 2024

“Initiatives like Eskom Expo are crucial for encouraging girls to pursue scientific fields,” she remarked.

Smedmor created a unique device that uses fuel cells and spekboom (a native South African plant) to clean up the environment and generate energy.

I-FEST2 offers not only a platform for these young innovators to share their work but also an opportunity to experience Tunisian culture and the idyllic Mediterranean setting.

#DiscoverEskomExpo Matric learners are encouraged to take part in Eskom Expo this year to stand a chance to progress to the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) where they can win a full bursary towards further studies in 2025!
• How to start with a research project… pic.twitter.com/zCSlOXiTTx

— Eskom Expo for Young Scientists (@Exposcience) April 8, 2024

Eskom Expo invites learners in grades 4–12, as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training college students (NC2–NC4), to participate in this revolutionary science fair. Registration is currently open at www.exposcience.co.za.

Editor’s note: This grade 12 learner from Bryanston High School’s groundbreaking TB testing model has won gold at the 2023 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair. This model she has developed to help healthcare practitioners which in-turn has an impact on diagnosing and treating the condition quickly.

Description: Keerthana Kishor Nair has developed a new and ground-breaking approach for detecting tuberculosis (TB). She presented her ground-breaking findings on a global scale at the International Festival of Engineering, Science, and Technology in Tunisia April 2024.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA