A researcher enters the CU Anschutz lab to work on their treatment project for an incurable disease. They have been working on the award-winning research for over two years and they have been selected as an international top scholar.

No, it’s not a scientist or college professor. It’s Mishika Bhatia ‘26.

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, is a common reproductive disease, affecting around one out of 10 women. The disease currently has no cure, leaving women with lasting lifestyle complications, medications and treatments.

After being diagnosed with PCOS, Bhatia decided to dedicate over two years to researching and developing a treatment for the incurable disease. While balancing health, rigorous courses and extracurriculars, Bhatia worked at a lab at CU Anschutz as well as the campus Biotech lab to further her research.

“I have been at CU Anschutz and I did a project developing a clinical treatment for a disease called PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome,” Bhatia said. “It’s a really common reproductive disease with no cure. I went to Ms. Petri and she was the one who supported me throughout those two years, and then I eventually stumbled across my mentor at CU Anschutz, and he actually offered that I work in his lab to do this project. He was really interested in it as well. So we started with cell culture in his lab up at Anschutz, and then I continued the project for about a year there, and then a year here in the Rock Canyon biotech lab, with Ms. Petri.”

After working on her research from Oct. 2023 to Nov. 2024, Bhatia attended the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio. She placed second out of 1500 kids from all over the world. Over the next year, Bhatia advanced her research, adding more trials and other additions before submitting it.

“I submitted it to the Regeneron Science Talent Search, which was basically where they were judging your project, but it was overall,” Bhatia said. “They kind of wanted grades, transcripts, extracurriculars, lots of essays, recommendations.”

Outside of her own research, Bhatia has been participating in the Biotech program for three years. She started with Intro to Biotech and went into CTE Experimental Design the next year. As a third-year student, she mentors and assists younger students with their own projects.

Biotech teacher Susanne Petri and Bhatia received an email Jan. 7 informing them Bhatia had been selected as a top 300 scholar for the Regeneron Science Talent Search. The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the most prestigious math and science competition in the world. Students submit their research to be looked at by experts.

“She came bursting into my AP Psych class,” Bhatia said. “That was really exciting because there were over 2600 or 2700 projects submitted this year.”

In addition to the recognition, Bhatia and the school each received $2,000. The Biotech program can use the funds to purchase new equipment for the lab.

“One of her best qualities that she probably won’t ever say, is that she truly came up with everything on her own and just turned to other people for clarification, rather than asking how to do it,” Petri said.

While currently undecided on a college, Bhatia plans to study pharmacology on a pre-med track, hoping to work in drug development.

Bhatia reframed the way she looked at her diagnosis—she turned it from a problem to a project. When faced with this difficult obstacle, she dedicated her time and talents to providing more research and potential treatments for the disease. Her award-winning research brings light to PCOS and its effects, and Bhatia is an inspiration to those affected by it.