Courtesy photo Nashua High School South senior Tejas Sathyamurthi was recently recognized as a scholar in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest math and science competition. He was recognized for his extensive research on using machine learning to predict wildfires.

NASHUA – Tejas Sathyamurthi, a senior at Nashua High School South, recently received the honor of being one of 300 students who were picked as scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, a prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Regeneron’s website states 1,964 entries were received. The top 300 scholars were selected from 184 high schools in 40 states and two American and international high schools overseas.

Sathyamurthi will receive a $2,000 award to go toward future education, while an additional $2,000 will go to Nashua High School South. Sathyamurthi was recognized for a project focused on machine learning to predict the occurrence of forest fires.

On his own time, Sathyamurthi conducted data research and learned machine learning techniques.

“My project focused on using machine learning to predict forest fires,” Sathyamurthi said. “Initially, I did a background study of how I could use machine learning, learned about different techniques, and I did an extensive literature study.”

Sathyamurthi said there were four main machine learning models he decided to use: Linear Regression, Decision Trees, Neural Networks and Support Vector Machine. He then trained the models by using an online data set, which consisted of various data points such as wind, temperature and humidity. Sathyamurthi said this would teach the model what to expect under different conditions.

To test the models, he did research and compiled weather data on numerous sites around the US and the used that data to test each of the models.

“The ultimate goal was to predict forest fires in advance to save lives by alerting emergency services ahead of time in order to prevent fires from spreading before it could create more damage,” he said.

This idea came to Sathyamurthi after he visited friends and family in California in 2015.

“Coming from New England, the wildfires were something I had never seen before,” he said. “What I saw was relatively small, but I was thinking about how it could have had major impacts on a larger scale.”

Sathyamurthi then became interested in utilizing the power of a computer to predict data and predict trends of research.

Sathyamurthi said he felt greatly honored to receive recognition as a scholar from such a prestigious competition and was happy that the committee recognized his research as one of the top 300.

“I’m humbled in that sense,” Sathyamurthi said. “I hope to continue this research throughout my college career. It’s something I’m generally excited about.”

He said he is grateful for the people who have supported him, recognizing South Principal Keith Richard, his guidance counselor Scott Jaquith and his chemistry teacher Michelle Cohen.

On Jan. 23, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. Finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., from March 7-13. There, they will compete for more than $1.8 million in awards provided by Regeneron.

While in Washington, D.C., the finalists will get to present their research for judges and meet scientists and members of Congress. Winners will be announced March 12.

Grace Pecci may be contacted at 594-1243, or at gpecci@nashuatelegraph.com.