Kaela Mcdonald
Class of 2025San Jose, california
About
Hello! My name is Kaela, and my Polygence project is on innovative business solutions for drug detection. I chose to work on this project because of my passion for entrepreneurship and creating impactful solutions. After my project is complete, I would like to continue developing my startup, further refining my ideas, and bringing them to market as an aspiring entrepreneur.Projects
- "How do common date rape drugs work in the human body and how can they be detected?" with mentor Sarah (Sept. 18, 2024)
Project Portfolio
How do common date rape drugs work in the human body and how can they be detected?
Started Apr. 30, 2024
Abstract or project description
Drink spiking in social settings, facilitated by drugs like GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine, is an increasing concern due to these substances being undetectable by taste, color, or smell, rendering victims unconscious and vulnerable to crimes such as sexual assault. Current detection methods are limited, addressing only a narrow range of drugs and requiring complex procedures, making them impractical for real-time use. This paper reviews the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of these drugs, showing that while their mechanisms of action vary—Rohypnol enhances GABAergic transmission, Ketamine antagonizes NMDA receptors, and GHB acts on GABA_B receptors—they all cause neuron hyperpolarization, leading to similar effects like sedation and memory loss. Additionally, their pharmacokinetics demonstrate rapid absorption and central nervous system effects, with challenges in detection due to short half-lives, particularly with GHB. Existing detection tools are unreliable, cumbersome, and socially impractical, often putting individuals at further risk. To address these gaps, this paper proposes the development of a discreet, portable detection tool using molecular imprinting technology that reacts with these drugs, triggering a visible color change in spiked drinks. Such a device, designed to be user-friendly and effective in real-world settings, would significantly improve prevention, creating a safer social environment. The paper concludes that developing such tools is not only necessary but could create a shift toward a culture that prioritizes safety and holds perpetrators accountable.