Student Portfolio · Class of 2029

Vihari Battula

This portfolio tracks my academic progress and my commitment to thinking critically in STEM. Beyond the classroom, I enjoy the process of working through challenges and developing leadership skills that contribute to a positive and productive environment.

GitHub Profile View Highlights
9th Grade
STEM Focus Track
MICDS School
Portrait of Vihari Battula
About Me

Who I Am & What I'm Working Towards

A dedicated student at MICDS with a passion for creative problem solving.

Short Bio

I am a 9th-grade student at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS). I believe in the importance of healthy competition - pushing myself to be better without losing sight of collaboration and respect.

My academic interests span across Mathematics, Physics, and World History. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy leadership roles where I can help organize events and encourage others to find joy in STEM subjects.

Academics

Courses & Skill Focus

My current academic schedule at MICDS.

Current Courses

Course Level Institution Focus
Integrated Math 1 Core MICDS Algebra foundations, geometry, and problem solving.
Post 1900 World History Core MICDS Modern history analysis and critical thinking.
Integrated Physics Core MICDS Fundamental laws of physics and lab work.
Spanish Honors Honors MICDS Advanced language acquisition and culture.
Intellectual Vitality

Reading & Self-Study

Literature that we are currently exploring in school...

Everything is Tuberculosis

Everything is Tuberculosis

John Green

Status: Read in August 2025
Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe

Status: Read in December 2025
Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

William Golding

Status: Read in October 2025
Antigone

Antigone

Sophocles

Status: Read in January 2026
A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream

William Shakespeare

Status: Currently Reading
Clap When You Land

Clap When You Land

Elizabeth Acevedo

Status: Read in August 2025
Projects & Events

Competitions, Challenges & Learning Experiences

Events where I apply my learning in competitive and collaborative environments.

Middle School Math Bowl

Student Leader
Math Competition - Grades 6-8

The Middle School Math Bowl was an exciting and challenging competition for middle school students. As a student leader, I helped organize and guide the team through complex problems, fostering a competitive yet supportive environment.

Leadership Math Strategy Organization
Open Slides ->

Myopia in the Digital Age

Research
Self-Directed Study

An exploration of Opthamology, screen dependency, and why raising awareness about daily eye strain could prevent irreversible damage. This article synthesizes personal narrative with medical research to argue for a preventative approach centered on the "20-20-20" rule and dietary awareness.

Public Health Optometry Research Writing
Open Article ->

World History Modern Guide

Curriculum
Self-Study Resource

A comprehensive curriculum guide for Modern World History, bridging global narratives and critical analysis of modern civilizational shifts.

History Education Humanities
View Curriculum ->

Integrated Physics Guide

Science
STEM Resource

A detailed physics guide integrating core concepts with practical applications, designed to simplify complex physical laws for student mastery.

Physics STEM Curriculum
View Guide ->
Visual Research

Myopia Research Showcase

A high-fidelity digital reproduction of the academic poster prepared for upcoming symposia.

Myopia in the Digital Age: A Crisis for the Connected Generation

Vihari Battula
Mentored by Prof. Vinay Kodipelly
Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS)
Introduction & Motivation
Myopia has reached epidemic proportions, driven by lifestyle shifts toward prolonged near-work and digital exposure. Deterioration occurs primarily during critical developmental windows of childhood and adolescence.

This research argues for a preventative approach centered on behavioral habits and dietary awareness—rather than reliance on future surgical relief.
Anatomy of Vision
Understanding myopic damage requires understanding the eye's complex optics:
The Light Pathway
  • Cornea — Primary lens; provides ~70% of focusing power.
  • Crystalline Lens — Fine-tunes focus via accommodation.
  • Ciliary Muscles — Controls lens shape; prolonged contraction during digital use triggers chronic strain.
Neural Conversion
  • Retina — Converts light into electrical signals via millions of specialized Photoreceptors.
  • Optic Nerve — Data cable transmitting information from the eye to the brain's visual cortex.
Pathologic Risks of High Myopia
Projected to affect 50% of the population by 2050, myopia is a structural deformation. High Myopia (> -6.00D) is linked to irreversible conditions:
  • Retinal Detachment — Elongation stretches tissue until it tears.
  • Glaucoma — Drastically higher incidence in myopic patients.
  • Macular Degeneration — A leading cause of untreatable blindness.
Functional Awareness
Myopia Awareness The cumulative impact of digital strain on adolescent ocular health. Sustained screen focus induces physical structural changes.
Visualizing Refractive States
Normal Eye Normal
Precise Focus
Myopia Eye Myopia
Elongated (Near)
Hyperopia Eye Hyperopia
Shortened (Far)
The Dose-Response Reality
A meta-analysis of 45 studies quantifies digital ocular risk:
Daily Screen Time Risk Profile
0–1 Hour Safety (Insignificant Risk)
1–4 Hours Spike (+21% odds per addtl hr)
4+ Hours Saturation (Continued High Risk)
Note: Smartphone usage surged to 69% by 2023, appearing in children as young as two years old.
Strategic Interventions
Clinical Defense
  • Ortho-K — Overnight lenses reshape the cornea. Effective at slowing axial growth.
  • Low-Dose Atropine — Drops that slow axial elongation with a strong long-term safety profile.
Lifestyle Modification
  • Outdoor Time — Natural light triggers retinal Dopamine, signaling the eye to stop stretching.
  • The 20-20-20 Rule — Every 20 mins, look 20 feet away for 20 secs. Essential for relaxing ciliary muscles.
  • Nutrition — Low-glycemic diets prevent insulin spikes associated with scleral growth.
The Surgical Fallacy: LASIK
  • Stability Factor: Must wait until refractive stability (ages 23–25); surgery on an actively changing eye is futile.
  • Finite Anatomy: Corneal tissue never grows back. Repeated procedures compromise structural integrity.
Summary & References
Myopia is a structural deformation, not just a prescription number. Axial elongation is irreversible. Early prevention is critical. Protect your sight now.
1. Holden. (2016). Prevalence 2050. Ophthalmology.
2. AOA. Computer Vision Syndrome.
3. FDA. (2023). LASIK Project.
4. Tang. (2024). Screen Time Risk. JAMA.
5. Baird. (2020). Myopia Review. Nature.
Athletics

Varsity Squash

Dedication, discipline, and competitive spirit on the court.

Competitive Squash

Varsity Athlete
Training & Competitions

Squash has taught me the importance of agility, strategy, and mental endurance. As a Varsity athlete, I am committed to consistent training and improving my game with every match. Participating in national tournaments like Squash Nationals has pushed me to maintain a high level of focus under pressure.

Dedication Discipline Competitive
Squash Nationals Tournament
Service

Volunteering & Internships

Contributing to the community and gaining real-world experience.

Service Record

Organization / Activity Role Hours / Duration
Butterfly House Volunteer 100+ Hours
Family Forward Volunteer 2 Hours
Jewish Family Services Volunteer 2 Hours
Involvement

Clubs, Leadership & Contribution

Taking initiative and exploring passions outside the classroom.

Clubs & Activities

Health Sciences Club
Member
Participating in this club helps me pursue my passion for the medical field. It provides a foundational understanding of health sciences and connects me with resources and discussions that are crucial for a future career in medicine.
How to Invest Club
Member
This club teaches me the principles of financial literacy. By learning from discussions and practical exercises, I am gaining the skills needed to better handle my finances and steadily grow the money I have in the future.

Leadership Roles

Math Bowl Student Leader
School / Organization
Led a team of middle schoolers in a math competition, ensuring everyone participated and contributed to solving problems efficiently.
Student Contributor
MICDS
Active participant in class discussions and collaborative projects, bringing creative solutions to group tasks.
Journey & Results

Growth & Progress

Tracking my academic milestones, learning artifacts, and evolution over time.

Selected Notes & Artifacts

Direct evidence of my learning process and analytical writing.

Math Notes
Proofs Notes
History Essay
History Paper
Physics Lab
Catapult Infographic

Methodology

I document my best work to track improvement. My focus is on structured organization, regular reflections on writing style, and maintaining consistent progress.

Key Assessments

Exam / Test Date Reflection
Math Bowl Participation 2025 Great experience in timed problem solving and team management.
Semester 1 Finals Dec 2025 Focus on synthesizing history themes and math concepts.
Contact

Contact & Profiles

Get in touch for academic or collaborative opportunities.