Vinay Venkatesh Ramasesh

TEXAS

Vinay Venkatesh Ramasesh, 18, of Fort Worth, submitted a chemistry project to the Intel Science Talent Search involving recently developed algorithms - known as local methods - to accurately determine molecular thermodynamic properties of large molecules, such as proteins. Using the Molpro suite of computational chemistry programs, he ran thousands of calculations at reduced computational cost (computer time, memory and disk space) and identified aspects of the localization methods that required further effort. He is first author of a paper on his work submitted to Theoretical Chemistry Accounts. Vinay's earlier projects include exploring the links between math and music - specifically, parallels between music and fractals (complex mathematical constructs) - and building several robots, one designed to pick up laundry! At the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton, he plays leadership roles in the math and engineering clubs and academic competitions. Active in community service and an accomplished pianist, Vinay also enjoys tennis and ping pong. The son of Ranga and Nalini Ramasesh, he hopes to study math and physics at MIT or Caltech.