University High School junior Rishi Paranjape has published his original research paper, Role of Catalysis in the Pharmaceutical Industry, with Curieux Academic Journal, a national youth-led publication dedicated to showcasing outstanding research by high school and middle school students.
Rishi’s passion for chemistry began in seventh grade when he became fascinated by the vibrant colors produced in chemical reactions. That early curiosity grew into a deeper interest in the drug discovery process and the role of transition metals in industrial-scale chemical reactions.
In his paper, Rishi explores how metal catalysts not only accelerate chemical reactions but also help produce highly specific versions of a drug molecule—called enantiomers—that are essential for creating safe, effective medicines. “A drug is often just one 3D arrangement of molecules out of many possible arrangements, and the others can be harmful,” he explained. “Through my research, I found many metals that allow reactions to produce highly pure enantiomers on a large scale—critical for pharmaceutical manufacturing.”
Reflecting on the experience of publishing with Curieux, Rishi shared, “It was a goal I set for myself last summer, and achieving it has really boosted my confidence. It’s motivated me to keep going.”
Rishi is continuing his research through an internship at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, where he is studying the use of molecular dynamics simulations in drug discovery. He plans to compile his latest findings into another research paper this summer.
University High School congratulates Rishi on this impressive achievement and looks forward to following his future contributions to the field of science.