Ms. Preeya Saikia , eighteen year old daughter of Mr. Prabhat Saikia and Mrs. Gini Saikia of Bellerose, NY, recently graduated from the famous Bronx High School of Science in New York City with honors. Preeya is a brilliant student who has earned accolades for her numerous achievements. During her time at Bronx Science, Preeya conducted research at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine for a year. Her research involved finding proteins that might trigger the symptoms of the autoimmune disease known as scleroderma. The title of her research was the “Effects of pro-fibrogenic cytokine on transcription factors that induce collagen promoter activity in human fibroblasts”. Preeya sometimes worked at the lab after school for six hours. She says that balancing schoolwork and research was a lot of work, but strange as it may seem, she enjoyed learning how to balance her time because it was a challenge and she likes challenges. She thinks that they force her to stretch her limits and inevitably see that many things are possible.
Preeya has a passionate artistic side as well and that has been roaring in her since the day she could hold a pencil. She says that “drawing is a purifying outlet for emotions and a handy tool for understanding the world”. Preeya took the AP Studio Art course during her time in the high school, and her artwork was displayed in a gallery in NYC along with her peers’ artwork. Two years ago, Preeya was also offered the opportunity to submit her work to a Lower Eastside Manhattan art gallery. She continues to draw and says that she cannot imagine her life without art. Besides the fine arts, Preeya is also adept at dancing. She has been performing Bihu dance since the age of four and has performed at such prestigious locations as Lincoln Center, Hunter College, and the NYC mayor’s residence at Gracie Mansion, as well as local Assamese community events.
Truly an all-rounded individual, “Pan-interested” Preeya, has had a hard time pinning down a college major. She has finally decided to give architecture a shot; she says “architecture has both a creative aspect and a scientific aspect”. She will begin her studies in architecture this fall in the CUNY Honors College at the City College of New York (CCNY). CUNY Honors College is a privileged opportunity open to both U.S. citizens and international students. Preeya is receiving a full scholarship to CCNY along with stipend and scholarship money for books, internships, and everyday expenses.
Among Preeya’s most recent achievements, other than her acceptance to an outstanding college, is her receipt of the Joseph E. Collins Memorial Scholarship, which is a scholarship offered through her father’s technical guild. Preeya has won top prizes for her work in research including regional level status for the NYCESF competition, third place as well as scholarship money for the scientific writing component of the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JHSS) and overall semifinalist status for the JHSS competition. She was also awarded at graduation for her time and achievements in research. Earlier this year, Preeya received a President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.
Preeya has accomplished great many things in her eighteen years of existence and we, as a community, are very proud of her. We know that this is only the beginning of a great line of successes for Ms. Preeya Saikia and we wish her well.
Contributed by Umesh Tahbildar, New Jersey
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