Bay Area teen wins prestigious science competition

KGO logo
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
This undated image shows 17-year-old Maya Varma of San Jose, Calif. who won the First Place Medal of Distinction for Innovation at the 2016 Intel Talent Science Search.
This undated image shows 17-year-old Maya Varma of San Jose, Calif. who won the First Place Medal of Distinction for Innovation at the 2016 Intel Talent Science Search.
kgo-Society for Science & the Public

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A Bay Area teen has won a top prize at a national science competition.

Maya Varma won the First Place Medal of Distinction for Innovation at the Intel Talent Science Search.

RELATED: Two SJ students compete in nation's most prestigious science competition

The 17-year-old is one of three teens awarded $150,000 for their inventions.

Varma attends high school in San Jose.

She made a device that diagnoses chronic lung diseases. It cost her just $35 to build. The device can replace much more expensive medical equipment in developing nations.

For the full list of winners, click here.