OPALS Research Conference Awards

2026 Electrical Engineering, Computer Systems and Science Awards (EECSS)

• Best Paper Award on 2026 Machine Vision and Machine Learning (MVML)
  • Cady Ang (MVML 123) for the paper entitled: “Multimodal Machine Learning and Uncertainty-Aware Simulation of Wildfire Occurrence, Severity, and Spread” - Authors: Kaiwen Zhao, Cady Ang, Aaron Chan, Aanya Tripathi, Helen Wang, and Linda Shi

• Best Paper Awards on 2026 International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Systems (ICBES)  
  • Celine Wu (ICBES 132) for the paper entitled: “Baseline Epigenetic Programs of Antigen-Specific Naïve T Cells” - Authors: Yicheng Zhao, Celine Wu, Zoey Chen, Henry Hou, Pracheth Vitthaladevuni, Huimin Zhang, and Linda Shi
  • Isabella Fahy and Sylvie Brown (ICBES 127) for the paper entitled: “Endothelial Wound Repair Dynamics Under Nerve Growth Factor and Oligopeptide-215 Treatment in a Standardized HUVEC Scratch Assay” - Authors: Shenggang Yan, Isabella Fahy, Sylvie Brown, Shibo Zhu, Audrey Zhao, Phu Nguyen, Linda Shi, and Veronica Gomez-Godinez 
  • Jonathan Huang and Prisha Malhotra (ICBES 154) for the paper entitled: “Comparative Evaluation of the KRAS G12D Inhibitors MRTX1133 and Zoldonrasib Using Real-Time Live-Cell Imaging” - Authors: Jonathan Huang, Prisha Malhotra, Isabella Fahy, Ryan Lay, Shenggang Yan, Phu Nguyen, Linda Shi, Veronica Gomez-Godinez
  • Prisha Malhotra and Stella Liu (ICBES 152) for the paper entitled: “Nucleus versus Nucleolus Damage-Impacts of DNA damage levels on p16INK4a expression after Laser Ablation” - Authors: Stella Liu, Johnny Zhu, Prisha Malhotra, David Liu, Kelson Jin, Linda Shi, Veronica Gomez-Godinez, and Nabora Reyes de Barboza 
  • Austin Horng and Nishant Ambegaonkar (ICBES 171) for the paper entitled: “Real-Time Assessment of BBB Dysfunction Induced by Oxidative Stress and D-Galactose–Mediated Senescence in Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells” - Authors: Angie Sun, Austin Horng, Nathaniel Chi, Nishant Ambegaonkar, Ethan Fu, Meng Tan, and Linda Shi

• Best Paper Award on 2026 NextGen Biomedical Discovery Symposium (NextGen)
  • Olivia Lee and Emily Huang (Symposium 107) for the paper entitled: “Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Wildfire Risk Using Environmental and Meteorological Data in California” - Authors: Avery Li, Emily Huang, Olivia Lee, Kaiwen Zhao, and Linda Shi

2025 International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology (ICBEB) 

• Best Oral Presentation Awards 
  • Micah Tang, Ruoxi Chen, for the oral presentation entitled “Investigating the Neurotoxicity of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) on Rat Pheochromocytoma (PC12) Cells”
  • Kate Zhao, Angela Shen for the oral presentation entitled “Laser-Induced Shockwave Triggers Variable GFAP Expression: Insights into Neural Stress Response”
  • Naomi Lee for the oral presentation entitled “Does DNA damage increase the presence of DNA Rods?” 

• Best Poster Presentation Awards 
  • David Liu, Aarav Patel, for the poster entitled “Development of an Augmented Reality Surgical Navigation System Based on Multiple ArUco Markers”
  • Prisha Malhotra, Kelson Jin, for the poster entitled “Impacts of DNA damage levels on P16 expression after Laser Ablation”

All nine awardees received free registration for the 2026 ICBEB Conference. 

2025 International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Systems (ICBES)

• Best Paper Awards

• • Aspen Lee for the paper entitled “RIN3 Protein Mutation and Astrocyte Dynamics in the Hippocampus: Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease”. Authors: Jiyeon Song, Yicheng Zhao, Aspen Lee, Medha Ravi, Cindy Kuei, Jihoo Hyun, Linda Shi, Chengbiao Wu, Kijung Sung. 
  • Sarah Li for the paper entitled “Cigarette Smoke-Induced Cell Morphology via Keyence and Zeiss Microscopy”. Authors: Sarah Li, Angie Sun, Yu-Sin (Jennifer) Ou, Huiying Huang, Wei Sun, Veronica Gomez-Godinez, Linda Shi. 

2023 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)

• Outstanding High School Student Chapter Award – Torrey Pines High School