West Shore’s Sangamithra Vardhan placed fourth in Microbiology at the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles on May 8-13.

The sophomore received a $500 prize for her project showing the effect of holy basil on the respiratory viruses.

More than 7 million student scientists from more than 50 countries and territories competed in local and regional science fairs and 1,500 were chosen to present their projects at the Intel fair.

Roar staff report