FRISCO, Texas – There’s no cure for COVID-19 yet, and an effective vaccine has yet to be approved. However, it appears that a Texas scientist is at the forefront of that effort, and she’s only 14.

Anika Chebrolu, from Frisco, Texas, has won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, and a $25,000 prize. It’s believed that her discovery could lead the way to effective COVID-19 therapy.

Specifically, Anika “used in-silico methodology for drug discovery to find a molecule that can selectively bind to the Sprike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an attempt to find a cure for the COVID-19 pandemic,” the 3M website states.

When asked why she entered the challenge, Anika, who is Indian American, said, “I have always been amazed by science experiments since my childhood and I was drawn towards finding effective cures for Influenza disease after a severe bout of the infection last year. I would like to learn more from 3M scientists to pursue my drug development and with their help, would like to conduct in-vitro and in-vivo testing of my lead drug candidate.”

Anika said that in 15 years she hopes to be a researcher or professor.