In a landmark decision, the International Astronomical Association has named an asteroid after a teenage Indian- American girl, Nandini Sarma, who won the first place at the 2007 Intel International Science & Engineering Fair for her Microbiology project.

The asteroid, which was discovered on 21st November 2000 by the Lincoln Laboratory Near Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR), has been named as 23228 Nandinisarma.

LINEAR, a programme of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in collaboration with US Science Service and with the approval of International Astronomical Association has named the asteroid as an honour to her for winning the first place in the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her microbiology project.

Speaking on this, an elated Nandini said, “I am very happy with the honour they have given me.”

Currently, Nandini is pursuing her studies in molecular biology at the Harvard University. Apart from winning a number of Kansas awards, Nandini has also won the US Army and Air Force national awards. Earlier this year, she was the only representative of the US at the International Youth Science Forum in England. Her father Girish is the chief scientist of a US company.

Along with her parents, 18 year old Nandini these days is visiting her grandparents at Pathshala in Assam’s Barpeta district.