My Science Fair Project on Personalized Diabetes Treatment

Hi, I’m Emilia, and I just finished my biggest science project yet! It all started when I learned about a hormone called GLP-1, which helps control blood sugar. My babysitter was recently diagnosed with diabetes, and I wanted to understand how different people respond to treatments. I found out that some people’s genes make them respond better (or worse) to certain medications. That got me thinking—what if doctors could use a person’s genetics to find the best treatment for them?

To figure this out, I studied genetic variations in the GLP-1 receptor, which helps the hormone do its job. I read research papers, searched through huge scientific databases. It wasn’t easy—some articles were super complicated, and I had to look up a lot of terms. But I discovered that certain gene variants affect how well people respond to diabetes treatments. If doctors could test for these gene variants, they could give patients medicine that works best for their bodies!

This all came together at the 2025 LISEF Thermo Fisher JIC Middle School Science Fair where I presented this project in front of three judges. It was a lot of hard work and effort, and tons of hours practicing what I was going to say but definitely worth it. I won 2nd place.

The next phase of the project will be testing for these genetic variants in my own community using a technique called gel electrophoresis (basically, a way to separate mixtures according to molecular size). This could help people understand their risk for diabetes and find the best treatment options. Science is so cool because it can make a real difference in people’s lives, and I hope my research can help in the future! I hope to partner with Cold Spring Harbor Labs and present this at next year's LISEF Science Fair.

Me at LISEF

Me winning 2nd place