{"id":159337,"date":"2015-11-05T09:00:38","date_gmt":"2015-11-05T16:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=159337"},"modified":"2015-11-05T08:35:45","modified_gmt":"2015-11-05T15:35:45","slug":"how-swimming-is-helping-olivia-hallisey-save-the-world-from-ebola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/how-swimming-is-helping-olivia-hallisey-save-the-world-from-ebola\/","title":{"rendered":"How Swimming Is Helping Olivia Hallisey Save the World From Ebola"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jeff Commings, Swimming World Senior Writer<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s quite possible that the name Olivia Hallisey<\/strong> will roll off the tongue as easily as Marie Curie<\/strong> in a few years. That is not an overstatement. Where Curie made a landmark discovery of radioactivity and became a household name, Hallisey soon could be known as the woman who was instrumental in eradicating the ebola virus from the planet.<\/p>\n

In September, Hallisey won the Grand Prize at the Google Regional Science Fair for developing a test for ebola that would not require refrigeration. This would allow medical staff to go into remote areas of Africa \u2013 where the disease is most prevalent \u2013 and test for ebola without the need for bulky refrigerators to store the equipment.<\/p>\n

About a month later, she was on Time Magazine\u2019s list of the 30 Most Influential Teens with the likes of Katie Ledecky, Jaden Smith<\/strong> and Malala Yousafzai<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Hallisey, 17, possesses more than a sharp mind. She represents the Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club in Connecticut, primarily in the individual medley and distance freestyle events. In between her rigorous schedule at Greenwich High School and her afternoon swim practice, she took time to talk about her newfound popularity.<\/p>\n

Swimming World:<\/strong> What do you make of being in the spotlight in the past couple of months?
\nOlivia Hallisey:<\/strong> It didn\u2019t really sink in for a bit, but now (I\u2019m grateful for) all the opportunities that are presenting themselves. I really want to make sure that I\u2019m able to use all the opportunities to send a positive message and reach other people out there. I think it\u2019s a big responsibility, but I\u2019m really enjoying it.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/strong> What kind of opportunities that are coming your way?
\nHallisey:<\/strong> It\u2019s educational opportunities, talking to kids and young girls about getting involved in science and trying new things. Trying to show them that everyone\u2019s capable of excelling at whatever they put their minds to.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/strong> Did you think this something that would come of your discovery and the subsequent recognition of it?
\nHallisey:<\/strong> I wasn\u2019t (taking) the class for any recognition. I\u2019m just doing it because it\u2019s what I\u2019m interested in. I think it\u2019s great that I\u2019m able to use the recognition and show other people what they are capable of doing and to inspire them.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/strong> Are you finding that there aren\u2019t a lot of girls in science?
\nHallisey:<\/strong> I definitely notice that, but I see in my class that there are a lot of girls and they\u2019re doing amazing things that are equal to or better than the boys. When it comes to science, it doesn\u2019t matter what age you are or what gender you are, it\u2019s about what you are trying to discover or explore. That\u2019s the whole message of the Google Science Fair, that you should try something, no matter who you are or where you\u2019re from.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/strong> What was more exciting: Winning at the Google Science Fair or being on Time Magazine\u2019s list with Katie Ledecky?
\nHallisey:<\/strong> I think they are both \u2026 I can\u2019t even fathom either of them at all. I definitely look up to Katie Ledecky so much, and also when I won Google it was a crazy experience. I can\u2019t really rate them. They are incredible recognitions.<\/p>\n

\"Olivia<\/a>

Photo Courtesy: Google Science Fair<\/p><\/div>\n

SW:<\/strong> Let\u2019s talk about the development of this test. How did it evolve from an idea into reality?
\nHallisey:<\/strong> I\u2019m in a science research class at school, so I had the idea initially there. From there, I was really set on making it happen. I think that is what swimming has shown me. If you apply yourself and try, good things will come out of it. I just wanted to put all my effort into it and hopefully I would be able to succeed.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/strong> What was the most challenging part of creating a testing procedure for ebola that didn\u2019t require refrigeration?
\nHallisey:<\/strong> Probably the most challenging part was getting the materials and finding the right materials for it, because a lot of the companies weren\u2019t willing to sell me the chemicals I needed. Also, it was difficult to find the right paper to make the test on.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/strong> How long did this project last, from conception to submitting your findings?
\nHallisey:<\/strong> It was probably around six months. It was a class in school, but I also had to come in on weekends as well and work on it. It was pretty rigorous to get it all done.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/strong> I\u2019m sure it was havoc on your life, especially in terms of trying to get to swim practice.
\nHallisey:<\/strong> Yeah. For me, swimming makes me have good time management. If I have swim practice, I just build my whole day around it. It\u2019s also real important for me as a stress reliever and also to organize my thoughts. It never interfered with swimming.<\/p>\n

SW:<\/strong> How does the test work?
\nHallisey:<\/strong> If the ebola antigen is present, then there will be a color change (on the test paper), so it\u2019s like a pregnancy test for ebola. It\u2019s universal. It can be used anywhere. There\u2019s no language barrier. Also, it\u2019s temperature-independent, which means it doesn\u2019t need to be refrigerated. That\u2019s a current problem with the current method.<\/p>\n