Richland fifth-grader Nurbai Arun wins regional Toshiba Explorer Vision science award

Nurbai Arun, a fifth-grader at Lewis and Clark Elementary and a Quest program student, told the Richland School Board she and a partner received a 2026 Toshiba Explorer Vision Regional Six award for a science project they call "Colon Combat AI." Arun described a prototype concept that would non‑invasively map tumor spatial attributes using an ingestible scaffold, acoustic-wave transmitters and a physics‑informed AI model. "Our project is colon combat AI... a novel methodology to strategically target colon cancer," Arun said.

Arun outlined how the device would use a biodegradable alginate layer and a pineapple-derived stimulant to retrieve cellular material, and how acoustic waves could help the AI model determine the tumor’s spatial attributes. She credited collaborative work with a partner, Adam Tang, and said she worked with oncologist Dr. Mayan from the Renown Cancer Center in Reno, Nevada, as a consultant on medical aspects of the project. Arun also relayed epidemiological figures during her presentation, saying "over 108,000 individuals each year get diagnosed with colon cancer" and that "36% of these colon cancer patients are faced with a misdiagnosis," statements she attributed to her research.

Board members and attendees praised the presentation and asked questions about clinical partners and next steps; Arun said she was open to continuing the project and acknowledged she and her partner were still exploring future education and mentorship options. The board offered congratulations and recorded the recognition as part of the meeting’s regular agenda. The presentation and Q&A were provided during the recognition portion of the meeting and in the public board record.