Asmi Panigrahi is spending her summer days in a Johns Hopkins University lab, assisting in research with an official title that many non-scientific types couldn't accurately repeat, let alone comprehend.

For the rising junior at Atholton High School, studying an antioxidant system that helps prevent DNA damage caused by environmental stress — to boil down her complex work with a protein called Nrf2 into simpler terms — demonstrates her deep commitment to making valuable contributions to society.

And for the first time in eight years, the River Hill Village Association's board of directors has a teen member with full voting privileges in Panigrahi, who assumed the position in June and has only one counterpart among Columbia's 10 villages.

For these reasons and more, the 16-year-old was recognized June 30 in Annapolis as one of seven "Women of Tomorrow" for 2010 by the Maryland Commission for Women, which selected winners for their outstanding potential as emerging leaders.

The annual competition, founded in 1997, is co-sponsored by the state's departments of human resources and education.

Selected from a statewide field of 51 nominees, the daughter of Kahlpana and Panaki Panigrahi said she couldn't really explain why she was chosen as the winner for grades 9 and 10.

"If you can do something to help other people, why wouldn't you?" she asked.

Her modest response in the face of a mountain of accomplishments is precisely what sets her apart, say those who nominated her.

"One of the things I admire most about Asmi is that at a fairly young age she knows how to think globally and act locally," said Marcy Leonard, the former Atholton High principal who was transferred this summer to be the principal of Hammond High.

"She is making a difference by taking small steps in the local community that will become ripples that affect the world at large," Leonard said. "Any superlatives you could think of could be applied to her."

With prompting, Panigrahi quietly admitted in an interview that yes, she does have a 4.0 grade-point average, and yes, she is taking all GT- and advanced placement-level classes and prefers math and science.

But she got more animated as she discussed being class president in her freshman and sophomore years at Atholton, meeting like-minded students at the recent Maryland Association of Student Councils conference in Ocean City, and her community service work at her Sunday School organization, the Chinmaya Mission in Silver Spring, where she learns about Hinduism, art, Indian dance and more and also tutors kids on the violin.

She was recently appointed recruitment director for the Howard County Association of Student Councils, a year-long position that she's champing at the bit to start when school resumes in August.

"Some of what I learned about leadership skills at the MASC convention I will be able to take back to school with me, and that really got my interest going," she said. "It was so cool to work with students from all over the state and meet with other county-level leaders and advisers."

Her attendance at the state convention led to an invitation to the national conference in Indianapolis on June 25, where she happily encountered more student leaders with even more new ideas.

A field trip to the Indianapolis Boys and Girls Club was "unlike anything I'd ever done before," she said.

"The kids were ecstatic over every little thing we did for them and appreciated things that we take for granted here," she said, adding that such experiences help put life in Howard County into perspective.

She also tutors students at Clemens Crossing Elementary School during the academic year as a member of Atholton's selective Leadership Cadre, teaching them about character-building through teamwork.

Panigrahi's leadership skills and natural ability to inspire others to get involved are two qualities that set her apart, said Lucy Hollis, student counselor at Atholton.

"This honor is a testament to Asmi's abilities, but she also has this incredible grace and humility," Hollis said. "She embraces responsibility and does everything so exceptionally well, yet she shares the glory with everyone around her."

The application packet was very comprehensive, said Hollis, and broke down into the four main areas: community contributions, goals, academic record and leadership skills. Applicants also submitted a personal essay.

"Asmi is selfless and kind, and her aspirations to make the world a better place came through" in her 21-page packet, she said. "She stands out, even in a group of accomplished young women."

Susan Smith, River Hill village manager, said she supported Panigrahi's entry in the commission's competition because "she's so genuine and extremely positive."

When not involved in leadership development or academic pursuits, Panigrahi is a first violinist in her school's orchestra and a year-round member of a Columbia Association Clippers swim team.

While her daily schedule and long roster of clubs and activities may seem overwhelming, her supporters say she takes it all in stride and excels.

"A lot of people don't keep an open mind," Panigrahi said, "but I believe in opening my mind to possibilities."