HPS Begumpet Student Amolika Kaushal Selected for UC Santa Cruz Science Program

Amolika Kaushal, a 12th-grade student at the Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet, has been selected for the Science Internship Program (SIP) 2026 at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Amolika secured a 100 percent scholarship to take part in the highly competitive research program, which is considered one of the leading global platforms for aspiring high school students.

During the program, Amolika participated in advanced biology research that examined critical connections between nutrition, access to clean water, and gut health. Her scientific work contributed to analyses associated with the World Health Organization’s WASH benefits trials, which study the direct impact of water, sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition interventions on child health outcomes.

As part of the research team, Amolika collaborated directly with high school peers from several countries across the world, including the United States, Brazil, and Taiwan. Under the active guidance and mentorship of university researchers, she gained valuable hands-on laboratory experience, processed and analysed biological data, and contributed to studies investigating health outcomes in children.

Amolika has stated that she hopes to build a career in the fields of biology, animal sciences, or public health, aiming to conduct scientific research that delivers meaningful societal impact.

Her selection for the UC Santa Cruz program follows extensive academic engagement. For the past two years, she has been a Lodha Genius Scholar in a fully funded after-school programme conducted at Ashoka University. Through this scholarship, Amolika has actively participated in multiple research projects and academic enrichment programmes.