Research aims to reduce gun violence
She’s smart, passionate and ready to make a change. She’s Martin High School STEM Academy senior Maya Shah.
This year, Shah earned recognition as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar after submitting a 25-page research manuscript on gun violence prevention to the prestigious Society for Science competition.
And she didn’t just win an award for herself. It was for Martin, too. Since Shah placed in the top 300 out of more than 2,400 applicants, she won $2,000 for herself, along with an additional $2,000 for Martin to support STEM-related activities.
“I was so honored to receive this recognition,” Shah said. “It’s been such an exciting journey.”
Her research journey began three years ago as a freshman. The project, now in its third phase, dives into the complex psychological factors that contribute to gun violence. She explored the underlying physiological and psychological causes that drive individuals toward violent acts, specifically psychopathy and trauma. Her research examines the role of intellectual humility, or the ability to accept that one’s beliefs could be incorrect, and whether fostering this trait could mitigate psychopathy and trauma, ultimately reducing violent tendencies.
After conducting a survey with over 150 individuals, Shah, who is also a National Merit Semifinalist, found that intellectual humility did, in fact, lessen psychopathy in traumatized individuals.
“I wanted to see if I could move the needle a little bit against this problem by focusing on the individual behind the weapon rather than the weapon itself,” Shah said. “I am trying to see if I can implement my findings into the real world, too.”
Due to her hard work and dedication, Martin principal Marlene Roddy knows that’s exactly what Shah will do.
“She’s an amazing kid,” Roddy said. “She is such a gifted student with a project that can really benefit this world moving forward.”