You competed at ISEF in 2003 and 2004. What impact did that have on you and your career?听

Twenty years later, two things still听stick out听to me. One, ISEF was the first time I had an opportunity to see what exceptional science and engineering really looks like. I grew up in a small town in southwestern Pennsylvania, and suddenly I was standing alongside students from all over the world doing genuinely听cutting-edge听work. It was eye-opening. I could see a level of talent I听hadn鈥檛听encountered听before, and it motivated me. It also gave me a sense of community. I听had aspirations听to become a scientist, and for the first time I felt like I听wasn鈥檛听alone in that. I was surrounded by people who shared the same drive.

For my junior year ISEF project, I studied a rare genetic mutation in the Afro-Caribbean population of Trinidad and Tobago that raises the risk of prostate cancer. We investigated whether screening for that mutation could help to ensure that the limited resources in Trinidad and Tobago could go to those patients at highest risk. During my senior year, I worked with chicken embryos on a protein involved in retinal development. It was my first time doing wet-lab work with a live specimen. In my senior year project, I learned about the power of negative results to advance a field and so much about the joys and challenges of wet lab science.

You听founded听Allurion听while you were still in medical school. What made you choose that path, and what did the people around you think?听

Allurion听started as a weekend project鈥夆�斺�塻omething my classmate Sammy and I found interesting outside of class. As we got encouragement from faculty, I eventually had to decide whether to finish my residency or leave to build the company. I went to my dad,听who鈥檚听a math professor, for advice. And he laid it out in stark, quantitative terms: As a physician, you have one pair of hands.听You鈥檒l听see patients for decades and touch the lives of听maybe 100,000听or 200,000 people, and听that鈥檚听a meaningful, fulfilling career. But if you build a company around a real problem, you have the potential to touch the lives of millions. There is a risk, however, that if your business never gets off the ground, you听may听touch no one鈥檚 life. He asked me a simple question: Do you want to maximize your life for impact or not?

That question is what pushed me toward听Allurion听and has shaped everything else in my life since. My advice is to take the risk and work on big problems because the potential听payoff,听in听lives changed,听can be enormous.

Obesity is one of the most complex and stigmatized conditions in medicine. What convinced you it was the problem worth solving?听

Two billion people worldwide are overweight, and a听billion听have obesity. More people die every year from obesity-related disease than died from COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic.听It鈥檚听the health issue of our generation, and like other chronic diseases,听it鈥檚听not going to have one miracle-pill solution.听听As a second-year medical student, one of the patients I met was a young woman听who鈥檇听had bariatric surgery. She spent weeks in intensive care afterward and ultimately recovered, but seeing how physically and emotionally invasive that experience was, my classmate and I kept thinking: There听has to听be a better way.

How does the听Allurion听balloon work?听

The whole concept behind听Allurion听is this: Could we develop a non-surgical way of getting a device inside the stomach so that it can start helping people feel full? We know that bariatric surgery works because it reduces the volume of the stomach. Why not put something inside the stomach instead and avoid听the surgery?

We developed a capsule with a balloon inside it that is attached to a thin tube, about the width of a piece of cooked spaghetti. A patient swallows the capsule in a doctor鈥檚 office. Once听it鈥檚听in the stomach, we attach a bag of water to the tube and fill the internal balloon over about five minutes, with no anesthesia or sedation. Once the balloon is filled鈥夆�斺�塧bout half a liter, weighing around a pound and a quarter鈥夆�斺�墂e withdraw the tube and the patient goes home with what amounts to an implanted meal sitting in their stomach. The human stomach is听roughly the听same size in every adult regardless of height or weight, so one size fits听nearly everyone. The balloon stays in place for four months and is there to give patients time to build new habits, without invasive surgery or taking medications.

Were there moments you almost gave up?听

Constantly.听There鈥檚听a line from Angela Duckworth鈥檚 book听Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance听that captures it for me: 鈥淓nthusiasm is common, endurance is rare.鈥� Every startup begins with excitement about听the science听补苍诲听the vision, and then you actually have to build it.听That鈥檚听when you realize that if building a company were easy, everyone would be doing it.

When we were raising our first round of financing, we went to a hundred investors and got a hundred nos. We were medical students with no business or engineering background, trying to fund a device听we鈥檇听only听demonstrated听by filming a prototype pushing against the walls of an animal鈥檚 stomach. After our savings ran dry, we听scraped together听$25,000 and $50,000 at a time from family,听friends听and professors to fund our first real animal and human studies.

Even today, some investors still doubt there鈥檚 room for a technology like ours, especially with GLP-1 drugs on the market. The lesson is that there will always be more people who doubt you than believe in you. The job of an entrepreneur is just to keep听enduring, because听changing minds takes years.

What role does AI play at听Allurion, and where do you see it going in medical devices more broadly?听

We听don鈥檛听use AI in the balloon itself, but听it鈥檚听central to our digital platform. Managing any chronic disease鈥夆�斺�塷besity, diabetes, hypertension鈥夆�斺�塽ltimately comes听down to changing daily habits, and there simply听aren鈥檛听enough dietitians and coaches in the world to support the two billion people who want to lose weight. Our app includes a conversational AI coach, Iris, that looks at a patient鈥檚 data and nudges them accordingly鈥夆�斺�塺eminding them to weigh in or serving up content on sleep if听that鈥檚听where听they鈥檙e听struggling.

Beyond the patient experience, AI is changing how we run the company: we use it to analyze product complaints, track lot听history听补苍诲听monitor听regulatory changes across the more than 80 countries where听we鈥檙e听approved. I听don鈥檛听think AI will change what a medical device physically is, but听it鈥檚听already changing how devices are developed,听personalized听and supported over time.

What鈥檚听next for听Allurion?听

We have an exciting pipeline at听Allurion. We are working on a version of the balloon that stays in the stomach for a full year instead of four months and one that could function as a platform鈥夆�斺�塻lowly releasing a GLP-1 medication, vitamins or something that supports the gut microbiome rather than just occupying space. With 2 billion people around the world in need, even after all these years, we have only just begun.

What books did you love as a child and what are you reading now?听听

I loved historical fiction as a child, with the Civil War trilogy听Gods and Generals,听The Killer听Angels听补苍诲听The Last Full Measure听at the top of the list. Now, I am working my way through听The Obstacle is the Way, a must-read for any scientist or entrepreneur!

What worries keep you up at night?

I worry that in a world of abundance, fueled by the technological advances made possible by AI, that knowledge and power听becomes听more鈥夆�斺�塶ot less鈥夆�斺�塩oncentrated.听I want my children and their children to live in a world where knowledge is abundant and听accessible听and anyone has an opportunity to advance a world-changing idea.

What gives you hope for the future?

Entrepreneurs give me hope for the future. Every problem has a solution, and I take comfort in the fact that humans will inevitably find听the solutions听to any problems that imperil our future.

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Key Takeaways:

• 京东影业影视传媒 named the 30 finalists in the 2026 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), the nation’s premier middle school STEM research competition.
• The finalists were selected from the Top 300 Junior Innovators, announced Sept. 2.
• Finalists represent 17 U.S. states and Puerto Rico
• Environmental & Earth Sciences is the most prevalent project category.
• Finalists will advance to Thermo Fisher JIC Finals Week (Oct. 23鈥�28) in Washington, D.C. where they will compete for more than $100,000 in awards, including the $25,000 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 16, 2026) 鈥� 京东影业影视传媒 today announced the 30 finalists in the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), the nation’s premier middle school science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competition. A nationwide cohort of scientists, engineers and educators selected the 30 finalists from this year鈥檚 Top 300 Junior Innovators, announced earlier this month. The finalists will participate in Thermo Fisher JIC Finals Week (Oct. 23鈥�28) in Washington, D.C. An esteemed panel of judges will evaluate their scientific research along with their communication, creativity and collaboration skills during team challenges.

The Thermo Fisher JIC, a program of 京东影业影视传媒, aims to inspire young scientists, engineers and innovators who will solve the grand challenges of the future. This year鈥檚 finalists are investigating questions across a variety of project areas, from how sea urchins affect kelp forest recovery and whether hydrogels could help reduce wildfire risk, to the effectiveness of an alternative treatment for traumatic brain injury and how the specificity of language can shape controversy on social media. That same problem-solving mindset shaped past winning projects, including a novel thermal-sensing fire detection system and a water filter made from waste materials and household items.

“Every year, our Thermo Fisher JIC finalists remind us of what’s possible when curiosity meets courage 鈥� even in middle school. This year’s Top 30 are already using science to tackle problems that matter to their communities and the world,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, 京东影业影视传媒 and Executive Publisher, Science News. 鈥淚’m proud to welcome these 30 remarkable young scientists and engineers to Washington, D.C., this October.鈥�

Thermo Fisher’s sponsorship of the Junior Innovators Challenge reflects its longstanding commitment to broadening access to STEM education. For decades, the company has invested in school-based and community STEM programs, and colleagues across the company volunteer thousands of hours each year to support education initiatives around the world.

鈥淩eaching the Top 30 is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the creativity and determination these students bring to science,鈥� said Karen Nelson, Chief 京东影业影视传媒 Officer, Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒. 鈥淲e hope they walk away from Finals Week more confident in their own ideas, inspired by their peers and motivated to examine the challenges they encounter in their daily lives through the lens of science.鈥�

Thermo Fisher JIC finalist fast facts:

• They represent 17 states, led by California, and Puerto Rico.
• The most prevalent project category is Environmental & Earth Sciences, followed by Chemistry, Energy & Sustainability, Engineering and Microbiology.
• Nearly two thirds of the finalists attend public school.

A full list of the finalists can be viewed here: /jic/2026-finalists/

Thermo Fisher JIC reaches 60,000 students annually through the Society’s Affiliated Fair Network. Students in the top 10% of their local affiliated science fair are eligible to enter the Thermo Fisher JIC, the only national middle school STEM competition that leverages Society-affiliated science fairs as a critical component of the STEM talent pipeline. To find your local science fair, visit https://findafair.societyforscience.org/.

All finalists receive a $500 cash award and will participate in Thermo Fisher JIC Finals Week in Washington, D.C.; where they will compete for the following awards:

• $25,000 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award, presented to the student who demonstrates mastery of all STEM fields and exemplifies how research, innovation and teamwork come together to impact our everyday lives.
• $10,000 Broadcom Coding with Commitment庐 Award, presented to a finalist whose project and performance combine expert STEM knowledge and passion for helping or improving one’s community through computation/coding.
• $10,000 Citadel | Citadel Securities Innovation Award, presented to a finalist for utilizing data-driven decision making to create innovative solutions to problems.
• $10,000 DoW STEM Talent Award, presented to a finalist who demonstrates excellence in science, technology, engineering or math, along with the leadership and technical skills necessary to excel in the 21^st-century STEM workforce.
• $10,000 The Lemelson Foundation Award for Invention, awarded to a young inventor creating promising solutions to real-world problems.
• First Place and Second Place Awards issued in each category of STEM ($3,500 and $2,500, respectively).
• Team Award, which recognizes each member of the team that best demonstrates an ability to work together and solve problems through shared decision making, communication and scientific and engineering collaboration, with a $200 gift card to a science supply company.

Thermo Fisher JIC recognizes finalists’ schools with $1,000 each to use toward 京东影业影视传媒 activities.

京东影业影视传媒 京东影业影视传媒

京东影业影视传媒 is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, 京东影业影视传媒 is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge and its STEM Outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, 京东影业影视传媒 is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

The post Thirty Inspiring Middle School Scientists and Engineers Named Finalists in the 2026 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge appeared first on 京东影业影视传媒.

Key Takeaways:

• 京东影业影视传媒 named the Top 300 Junior Innovators in the 2026 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), the nation’s premier middle school STEM research competition.
• The Top 300 were chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 2,000 applicants and represent the best and brightest middle school STEM talent in the U.S. and its territories.
• The Thermo Fisher JIC reaches 60,000 students annually through the Society’s Affiliated Fair network; students qualify by placing in the top 10 percent of their local science fair.
• The Top 30 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists will be announced on Sept. 16 and will compete for more than $100,000 in awards, including the $25,000 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award.

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 2, 2026 鈥� 京东影业影视传媒 is proud to announce the Top 300 Junior Innovators in the 2026 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC)鈥攖he nation’s premier science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for middle school students. Chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 2,000 applicants, the Top 300 represent the best and brightest middle school STEM talent in the U.S. and its territories.

The Top 300 Junior Innovators are addressing challenges, including designing a solar-powered air purifier, identifying the best materials to generate electric power from friction, using machine learning to predict asthma risk and using artificial intelligence to improve aviation safety.

鈥淚 am incredibly proud of this year鈥檚 Top 300 Junior Innovators. Their curiosity, creativity and determination to tackle some of our most pressing challenges鈥攆rom clean water to chronic disease鈥攕how what鈥檚 possible when young people are empowered to pursue their ideas. They remind us why investing in the next generation of scientists and engineers is so important, and I can鈥檛 wait to see where their research and ingenuity take them next,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of 京东影业影视传媒 and Executive Publisher of Science News.

The Thermo Fisher JIC, a program of 京东影业影视传媒, is the nation’s premier STEM competition for middle school students, inspiring young scientists, engineers and innovators to solve the grand challenges of the future. Thermo Fisher’s sponsorship of the competition reflects its longstanding commitment to broadening access to STEM education. For decades, the company has invested in school-based and community STEM programs, and colleagues across the company volunteer thousands of hours each year to support education initiatives around the world.

2026 Top 300 Junior Innovators Fast Facts:

• They represent 34 states, Puerto Rico and Guam.
• The states with the most Junior Innovators are California, Texas and Florida.
• The Top 300 projects cover 15 categories, from animal science to robotics. Top project categories are engineering, earth & environmental sciences and medicine & health sciences.
• Combined, they speak 34 languages.
• 64 percent of them attend public school.
• Research project topics include building earthquake-proof bridges, understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, improving bicycle safety and removing microplastics from water.

The students’ names and a state-by-state breakdown of the Top 300 can be found here.

鈥淓very year, these students remind us that meaningful science starts with caring deeply about a problem and having the curiosity to ask whether there is a better way,鈥� said Karen Nelson, Chief 京东影业影视传媒 Officer, Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 Top 300 are taking on challenges that will shape our future by questioning assumptions and testing new ideas. Their passion and bold thinking make us optimistic about the impact this next generation of innovators will have on the world.鈥�

The Top 300 Junior Innovators were selected from nearly 2,000 applicants across 47 states and five territories. Students who place in the top 10% of their local science fair are eligible to enter the Thermo Fisher JIC, the only middle school STEM competition that leverages Society-affiliated science fairs as a critical component of the STEM talent pipeline. The Thermo Fisher JIC reaches 60,000 students annually through the Society’s Affiliated Fair network.

On Sept. 16, 京东影业影视传媒 will announce the Top 30 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists, selected from among the Top 300 by a nationwide panel of scientists, engineers and educators. The finalists will compete for the $25,000 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 ASCEND Award; $10,000 Broadcom Coding with Commitment庐 Award; $10,000 Citadel | Citadel Securities Innovation Award; $10,000 DoW STEM Talent Award and $10,000 The Lemelson Foundation Award for Invention.

Each of the Top 300 Junior Innovators will receive a $125 award from DoW STEM. With this prize, the Department of War is working to develop a STEM talent pool ready to serve our Nation and evolve the DoW’s competitive edge. Additionally, the Top 300 will receive a prize package and gifts from our partners.

What is 京东影业影视传媒?

京东影业影视传媒 is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, 京东影业影视传媒 is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM Outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, 京东影业影视传媒 is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on , , , and .

The post 京东影业影视传媒 Announces Top 300 for the 2026 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge appeared first on 京东影业影视传媒.

• 京东影业影视传媒 selected 100 educators for the 2026鈥�2027 Advocate Program.
• In total, the Advocates will receive $326,000 to support expanding student access to pursing science research and participating in science competitions.
• The 2026-27 cohort includes 13 Lead Advocates who will mentor 87 Advocates, creating a nationwide network of educator leaders.
• Participants receive year-round professional development, mentorship and leadership training.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 鈥� 京东影业影视传媒 (the Society), a nationally recognized leader in STEM education, today announced the selection of 100 outstanding educators for its 2026鈥�2027 Advocate Program. Through professional development, stipends and year-round support, the program empowers educators to help students pursue original research opportunities and participate in science competitions, helping them build confidence, strengthen critical thinking skills and discover new pathways into science and engineering.

This year, the Society is awarding a total of $326,000, with 13 Lead Advocates receiving $5,000 each and 87 Advocates receiving $3,000 each. Throughout the year, the Lead Advocates will mentor fellow educators in region-specific, peer-led cohorts, supporting the 66 new Advocates and 21 returning Advocates. Together, they form a nationwide network of teacher leaders committed to expanding STEM opportunities for students.

鈥淭he most powerful way to expand opportunity for young people is to invest in the educators who recognize their potential and help turn their curiosity into discovery,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of 京东影业影视传媒 and Executive Publisher of Science News. 鈥淐ongratulations to our 2026鈥�2027 Advocates. Together, they will strengthen STEM education, share innovative approaches and open doors for more students to see themselves鈥攁nd thrive鈥攁s the scientists, engineers and innovators of tomorrow.鈥�

The Advocate Program recognizes the essential role educators play in helping students move from pursuing independent research to sharing their work in competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge. Advocates guide students through the process, helping them identify appropriate competitions, navigate application requirements, meet important deadlines and communicate their research effectively. Along the way, students strengthen their scientific reasoning, communication and problem-solving skills while gaining valuable experience that can open doors to future educational and career opportunities inside and outside the STEM pipeline.

Since its launch, the Advocate Program has supported 439 educators. Together, these educators have supported more than 9,100 students, including more than 6,700 who have submitted over 12,000 entries to STEM competitions. Many students participate in multiple competitions, reflecting the sustained engagement and growing impact of the Advocate Program.

This year’s cohort brings together educators from public, charter and private schools, and one university. They bring diverse perspectives and expertise from classrooms, museums, after-school programs and community organizations, enriching the Advocate Program cohort with a wide range of experiences and approaches. Over the coming year, they will build lasting professional relationships, exchange innovative ideas and integrate new strategies to inspire and support the students they serve.

Earlier this summer, the new cohort gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Society’s annual Advocate Training Institute, an immersive professional development experience designed to prepare educators for the year ahead. Through hands-on workshops and interactive sessions, participants explored topics ranging from accessible astronomy research using NASA archival data to building community partnerships that expand research opportunities for students exploring ways to connect students with competitions such as the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge. The institute also gave educators practical strategies, resources and inspiration they can bring back to their schools and communities throughout the year.

The 2026鈥�2027 Advocate Program is made possible through the generous support of the Arconic Foundation, DoW STEM through the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC), and Regeneron.

2026鈥�2027 Lead Advocates

1. Ronald Brillantes, Porcupine School (Porcupine, South Dakota)
2. Shaneka Bullins, Palmdale High School (Palmdale, California)
3. Brittany Devlin, Southeast High School (Bradenton, Florida)
4. Emily Dawson, Elise Ford Allen Academy (Peoria, Illinois)
5. Harry Dittrich, Pathway School of Discovery (Dayton, Ohio)
6. Chance Duncan, University of the Ozarks (Clarksville, Arkansas)
7. Steven Gaskill, Knudson Academy of the Arts (Las Vegas, Nevada)
8. Lori Grabarkewitz, Robert J. Elkington Middle School (Grand Rapids, Minnesota)
9. Oktay Ince, Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School (Columbus, Ohio)
10. Olivia Kuper, North Greene High School (Greeneville, Tennessee)
11. Sam Northey, Saint Paul Online High School (St. Paul, Minnesota)
12. Stephen Nye, Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development Academy (Jacksonville, Florida)
13. Nate Raynor, Mescalero Apache School (Mescalero, New Mexico)

2026鈥�2027 Advocates

1. Romel Agno, Tombstone High School (Tombstone, Arizona)
2. Bessie Alexander, R.K. Smith Middle School听 (Luling, Louisiana)
3. Christy Arrowood, Burke County Public Schools (Morganton, North Carolina)
4. Mehmet Ates, Lotus School for Excellence (Aurora, Colorado)
5. Amy Ay, Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School (Syracuse, New York) has
6. Michaella Banate, Desert Wind Middle School (Maricopa, Arizona)
7. Marlenne Barajas, Pacific High School (San Bernardino, California)
8. Priscilla Barton, Emerald High School (Dublin, California)
9. Caitlin Bonham, Mosaic School of Fine Arts (Chicago, Illinois)
10. Alicia Castro, Harmony School of Innovation鈥揥aco (Beverly Hills, Texas)
11. Mabrooka Chaudhry, Atholton High School (Columbia, Maryland)
12. Jalavender Clowney, Saluda Trail STEAM Middle School (Rock Hill, South Carolina)
13. Kathleen Cluchey, Young Women’s Leadership Academy (Fort Worth, Texas)
14. Chenein Compton, Oxford High School (Oxford, Alabama)
15. Chuhyon Corwin, High School for Health Professions & Human Services (New York, New York)
16. Jocelyn Coughlin, Worcester Technical High School (Worcester, Massachusetts)
17. Keishla Crespo, Colegio Puertorrique帽o de Ni帽as (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico)
18. Jennievive De La Cruz, Vista Grande High School (Casa Grande, Arizona)
19. Andrew DeCoteau, Rock Creek Grant School (Bullhead, South Dakota)
20. Sandra Di Liegghio, LaBelle Middle School (LaBelle, Florida)
21. Susan Dodge, McCaskey High School (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
22. Kurt Dragomanovich, John F. Kennedy Middle School (Fresno, California)
23. Avian English, Mackenzie Elementary-Middle School (Detroit, Michigan)
24. Tracy Espinosa, Santiago High School (Corona, California)
25. Meaghan Ferris, Meadow Park Middle School (Beaverton, Oregon)
26. Kimberly Fleming, White Plains High School (White Plains, New York)
27. Davine Floy, University High School (Newark, New Jersey)
28. Jesus Garza, Jose Borrego Middle School (Monte Alto, Texas)
29. Kelley Gaske, King George High School (King George, Virginia)
30. Lamberto Geolin Jr., Ramah Middle/High School (Ramah, New Mexico)
31. Sarmistha Ghosh, Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences (Charlotte, North Carolina)
32. Enis Gokgoz, Gateway Science Academy Middle School (St. Louis, Missouri)
33. Manal Hajoul, Covenant School 鈥� Central (Detroit, Michigan)
34. JennaMarie Harris, Mountain Green Middle School (Morgan, Utah)
35. Kristi Hibbert, Big Piney Middle School (Big Piney, Wyoming)
36. Rania Ibrahim, Dana Middle School (Arcadia, California)
37. Elizabeth Jones, Lake Norman Charter Middle (Huntersville, North Carolina)
38. Essie Jones, Alexandria City High School (Alexandria, Virginia)
39. Shaundrie Jones, John L. LeFlore High School (Mobile, Alabama)
40. Malaika Jordan, Midtown High School (Atlanta, Georgia)
41. Abraham Kamara, Tulsa Public Schools (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
42. Mirasol Laberinto, Grants High School (Grants, New Mexico)
43. Kris Larsh, McLish Middle School (Stonewall, Oklahoma)
44. Kevin Lavigne, Hanover High School (Hanover, New Hampshire)
45. Karla Lomax, DeKalb Alternative School/Program (Stone Mountain, Georgia)
46. Justice Mason, Little Rock Southwest High (Little Rock, Arkansas)
47. Meredith Marlier, Shawnee Mission West High School (Overland Park, Kansas)
48. Stephanie McGrew, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (Kirksville, Missouri)
49. Isabel Mendiola, Milwaukee Academy of Science ( Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
50. Jessica Mendoza, William G. Jehue Middle School (Rialto, California)
51. Christian Mercado, Baldwin School of Puerto Rico (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico)
52. Josephine Mesina, International High School at Largo (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
53. Lillian Meyers, Hamilton Middle School (Denver, Colorado)
54. Brandy Mickelson, Wind River Middle School (Pavillion, Wyoming)
55. Bridget Eloe Ngalame Etone, Northwestern High School (Hyattsville, Maryland)
56. Charles Muchiri Njoki, Summit Heights Junior High School (Commerce City, Colorado)
57. Brandi Norman, Huntley Project Schools (Huntley, Montana)
58. Desiree Nwadinobi, Cypress Park High School (Cypress, Texas)
59. Kristin O’Connor Barkus, Lawrence West Middle School and Free State High School (Lawrence, Kansas)
60. Wayne Oelfke, Ft. White High School (Fort White, Florida)
61. Luigi Papasidero, Huntington High School (Huntington, New York)
62. Mildred Pates, Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt, Maryland)
63. Deepa Pendalwar, Duluth Middle School (Duluth, Georgia)
64. Tyrikia Porter, Magnolia Middle School (Meridian, Mississippi)
65. Andrea Prewitt, Global Impact Academy STEM Magnet High School (Fairburn, Georgia)
66. Liliana Ramos, Ronald Reagan/Doral SHS (Doral, Florida)
67. Eric Robinson, Herbert Hoover High School (Glendale, California)
68. Delois Scott, Cross Creek High School (Augusta, Georgia)
69. Carol Stefany Rodriguez Jimenez, Discovery Polytech Early College High School (Springfield, Massachusetts)
70. Jonathan Sailer, Schroeder Middle School (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
71. Eman Sarhan, Amundsen High School (Chicago, Illinois)
72. Alyson Saunders, Dexter Regional High School (Dexter, Maine)
73. Adrienne Shilling, Idaho Virtual Academy (Meridian, Idaho)
74. Jennifer Stover, Lufkin High School STEM Academy (Lufkin, Texas)
75. Nellie Sapioamoa Sonny Stowers, Manulele Tausala Elementary School (Pago Pago, American Samoa)
76. Shonda Sylvester, DeKalb Alternative School (Stone Mountain, Georgia)
77. Claire Diane Tabanas-Morales, Desert Sunrise High School (Maricopa, Arizona)
78. Karen Tucker, Millville Public Charter School (Millville, New Jersey)
79. Omar Varela, William D. Slider Middle School (El Paso, Texas)
80. Michael Vinluan, Chinook High School (Chinook, Montana)
81. Tara Walker, Chamberlain Middle School (Washington, District of Columbia)
82. Mariah Warren, Academy for Science and Foreign Languages Middle School (Huntsville, Alabama)
83. Marla Watts, Lake Forest Charter School (New Orleans, Louisiana)
84. David White, Kingsview Middle School (Germantown, Maryland)
85. Lindsey Wilson, Bennington Public Schools (Bennington, Nebraska)
86. James Winkler, Clare High School (Clare, Michigan)
87. Corinne Zimmerman, Homewood-Flossmoor High School (Flossmoor, Illinois)

Learn more about the Advocates here.

Media Contact:

Aparna K. Paul (she/her)
Director of Communications
京东影业影视传媒
apaul@societyforscience.org
781-375-8353

京东影业影视传媒 京东影业影视传媒

京东影业影视传媒 is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, 京东影业影视传媒 is best known for its award-winning journalism through鈥疭cience News鈥痑nd鈥疭cience News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge, and its outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, 京东影业影视传媒 is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at鈥痭ew.societyforscience.org鈥痑nd follow us on鈥疐acebook,鈥疶witter,鈥疘nstagram鈥痑nd Snapchat (Society4Science).

The post 京东影业影视传媒 selects 100 educators for the 2026鈥�2027 Advocate Program, investing $326,000 to expand student access to scientific research and science competitions appeared first on 京东影业影视传媒.

Through the STEM Action Grants program, the Society supports innovative mission-driven nonprofit organizations working to enhance scientific understanding by creating opportunities for their communities to engage in science, technology, engineering and math. The Society received 383 applications this year, an 83% increase over the previous year and the highest volume in the past five years, with funding requests totaling nearly $1.9 million. The record number of applications underscores both the growing demand for STEM opportunities and the important role nonprofit organizations play in expanding access to science and their need for support.

This year’s grantees illustrate the extraordinary breadth of grassroots STEM education in America. Across the country, people are exploring ancient fossils beneath the Great Plains, monitoring local watersheds and ecosystems, building robots and drones, discovering aviation, creating with artificial intelligence, and learning that science is not confined to laboratories, but is woven into the places where they live, learn and play.

鈥淐ongratulations to all of this year鈥檚 STEM Action Grantees. These innovative community-based STEM organizations are expanding access to science in remarkable ways and demonstrating that curiosity can flourish in every community,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of 京东影业影视传媒 and Executive Publisher of Science News. 鈥淔rom rural towns to major cities, they are creating opportunities for people to explore science, solve problems and strengthen their communities. We are proud to support their work and the lasting impact they have across the nation.鈥�

Fifty-six organizations have received grants ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 each, while five nonprofits have received $10,000 capacity-building grants to strengthen their organizational infrastructure. These investments will support curriculum development, facilitator training, volunteer coordination and organizational systems, allowing successful programs to grow and reach even more learners. Together, this year’s funding reflects the Society’s commitment to supporting organizations at every stage of growth, from first-time grantees launching innovative programs to returning organizations expanding proven initiatives and capacity-building grantees strengthening their long-term sustainability.

Below are three organizations that illustrate the breadth of this year鈥檚 cohort organizations that range from emerging to established:

Investing in new ideas

(Boston, Massachusetts)

The Pathway Initiative, a new grantee this year, received a $4,000 grant. The organization has created a distinct, long-term STEM talent pipeline that supports aspiring physicians and scientists from middle school and high school through college, medical school, graduate training and residency. Designed as a cross-generational community, participants receive year-round mentoring, academic support, leadership development and career guidance before returning to mentor future cohorts, creating a lasting cycle of opportunity. With support from its first STEM Action Grant, approximately 50 students will benefit directly, alongside 15 mentors and advisors.

Growing proven programs

(Cleveland, Ohio)

The Society continues to invest in organizations that have demonstrated meaningful impact over time. This year, 65% (35 of 54) of organizations funded in 2025 and eligible to reapply sought renewal funding, underscoring the importance of sustained support for programs that continue to inspire curiosity and expand opportunity in their communities.

Rise Up: Northeast Ohio is a renewal grantee and received a $5,000 grant. Rise Up connects public high school students with more than 100 biomedical scientists who volunteer year-round to guide them through every stage of authentic scientific research, from developing research questions and writing grant proposals to conducting experiments, analyzing data and publishing their findings in the Journal of Young Scientists. Until 2023, Rise Up operated entirely through volunteers and self-funding. Continued support from the Society helps sustain the organizational capacity needed to coordinate more than 100 scientist mentors and deliver immersive, year-round research experiences for students.

Building stronger organizations

(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

One of five capacity-building grantees this year, SciAccess received a $10,000 grant. The organization is transforming accessibility across STEM through education, mentorship, community building and research, creating opportunities for a new generation of innovators and scientific leaders with disabilities. From immersive astronomy mentorship for blind and low-vision students to advancing accessibility in space research and consulting with NASA and commercial space companies on spacecraft design, SciAccess is helping create a more inclusive future for science. This capacity-building grant will strengthen the staff, volunteer network and community partnerships needed to expand the organization’s long-term impact and create more opportunities for people with disabilities to learn, lead and thrive in STEM.

2026 STEM Action Grant Recipients

The following organizations received STEM Action Grants this year. Organizations are listed alphabetically within each funding category.

New Grantees (26)

• ACCESS Educational Services (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
• Asombro Institute for Science Education (Las Cruces, New Mexico)
• Crafting Tomorrow (Wellesley, Massachusetts)
• Engineer Early Association (Dover, Delaware)
• Friends of NDGS Paleo (Mandan, North Dakota)
• Gearing Towards Engineering Foundation (Wickatunk, New Jersey)
• Growing the STEM (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)
• HYPOTHEkids (New York, New York)
• Magic of Science (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
• Oraculi (Rochester, Minnesota)
• Reading Science Center (Reading, Pennsylvania)
• Reinvented Inc. (Rockledge, Florida)
• Rethink Learning (Fall River, Massachusetts)
• Science Camps of America (Kaneohe, Hawaii)
• Selkirk Conservation Alliance (Priest River, Idaho)
• Society of Military Spouses in STEM (Woodbridge, Virginia)
• STEM Bridge Foundation (Bellevue, Washington)
• STEM Is Us 2.0 (Youngstown, Ohio)
• Success 1st (Mantua, New Jersey)
• Sun City STEM (El Paso, Texas)
• Sweet Grass Technical Institute (Big Timber, Montana)
• Takshanuk Watershed Council (Haines, Alaska)
• The Good Foodie (Washington, District of Columbia)
• The Green Gift (Huntsville, Alabama)
• The Pathway Initiative (Boston, Massachusetts)
• Yavapai Exploration and Science of Prescott (Prescott, Arizona)

Renewal Grantees (30)

• Algalita Marine Research and Education (Long Beach, California)
• Ciencia Puerto Rico (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
• Close the Gap Foundation (Mountain View, California)
• Directed Initiatives for Youth (Excite All Stars) (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• EARTHGANG Foundation (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Equity Research Group, Inc. (Dunwoody, Georgia)
• Forgotten Heroes Foundation (Chesapeake, Virginia)
• Friends of Ballona Wetlands (Playa del Rey, California)
• Impact NW (Portland, Oregon)
• Math Circles of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
• Math N More Foundation, Inc. (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC) (Westminster, Maryland)
• Nature Nexus Institute (Culver City, California)
• Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. (Manhattan Beach, California)
• PS Science (Inglewood, California)
• Rise Up: Northeast Ohio (Cleveland, Ohio)
• SFA Foundation, Inc. (Beltsville, Maryland)
• Shared Science (Long Beach, California)
• STEM for Flathead Valley Schools (Kalispell, Montana)
• STEM on Wheels (St. Louis, Missouri)
• STEM SQUAD (Harvest, Alabama)
• TechArts Empowerment Foundation, Inc. (El Segundo, California)
• The Princess Program STEM (Upland, California)
• The Story Collider (New York, New York)
• Thinkatorium (Arlington, Texas)
• Virtual Science Teachers (Chesapeake, Virginia)
• WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology (Bloomington, Indiana)
• Youth Inspiration Nation Inc. (La Puente, California)
• Youth Science Center (Hacienda Heights, California)
• Youth Technology Corps (Chicago, Illinois)

Capacity-Building Grantees (5)

• Detroit Educational Takeover (Lathrup Village, Michigan)
• Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center (Greenville, Mississippi)
• SciAccess (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
• Scientiae (Tallahassee, Florida)
• SoundBio Lab (Seattle, Washington)

Since its launch in 2016, the STEM Action Grants program has awarded more than $1.7 million to 193 organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the 61 organizations receiving support through the 2026 STEM Action Grants program here. This year鈥檚 funding is made possible through generous support from Simons Foundation International (with administrative support from the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division), and The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

For further information, please contact:

Aparna K. Paul (she/her)
Director of Communications
京东影业影视传媒
apaul@societyforscience.org | 781-375-8353

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Key Takeaways:

• Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 will extend its title sponsorship of the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), a program of Science for Science, through 2030.
• The Thermo Fisher JIC provides young scientists and engineers the opportunity to showcase their STEM research, compete at a national level and connect with a community of like-minded peers.

WASHINGTON, D.C.,听京东影业影视传媒 (the Society) today announced that global life sciences leader Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 has renewed its title sponsorship of the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge through 2030. The renewed sponsorship ensures that the program continues to inspire innovation and nurture talent among middle school students nationwide.

鈥淲e are proud to continue our partnership with Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of 京东影业影视传媒 and Executive Publisher of Science News. “Their support enables us to reach young scientists at a critical moment in their development 鈥� the middle school years, when curiosity is high, foundational STEM skills are taking shape and students are forming their identities. Together, we are delivering a real and lasting impact for the next generation of innovators.”

Thermo Fisher鈥檚 sponsorship of the Thermo Fisher JIC reflects its longstanding commitment to broadening access to STEM education. For decades, the company has invested in school- and community-based STEM programs, and employees across the company volunteer thousands of hours each year to support education initiatives around the world.

鈥淎ccess to hands-on STEM learning experiences like the Thermo Fisher JIC can change how students see the world and their ability to improve it,鈥� said Meron Mathias, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒. 鈥淭hrough our continued partnership with 京东影业影视传媒, we can help more students of all backgrounds build critical skills, connect with peers and mentors and recognize the potential of their ideas to shape a healthier, cleaner and safer world.鈥�

Each year, nearly 300 middle school science fairs across the country affiliate with the Society鈥檚 science fair network and nominate students to compete in the Thermo Fisher JIC. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who place in the top 10% of their science fairs are eligible. Finalists go on to showcase their projects in Washington, D.C., compete in team challenges, visit historical sites and vie for more than $100,000 in awards, including the $25,000 Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award.

This enduring partnership between 京东影业影视传媒 and Thermo Fisher demonstrates their shared vision of empowering young minds to push the boundaries of scientific discovery.

To find out whether your local science fair is affiliated with the 京东影业影视传媒, or to find an affiliated fair in your area, visit .

What is 京东影业影视传媒?
京东影业影视传媒 is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, 京东影业影视传媒 is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM Outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, 京东影业影视传媒 is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on , , , and .

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TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 15, 2026) 鈥� Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and 京东影业影视传媒 (the Society) announced that , 17, of Sapporo, Japan won the $100,000 George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2026 (Regeneron ISEF), the world鈥檚 largest precollege science and engineering competition.

For more information about the top winners and access to visual assets visit our media kit here.

Key Takeaways:

• This year鈥檚 finalists received more than听$7 million in awards based on their projects鈥� creativity, innovation, and depth of scientific inquiry.
• The top winners were honored at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona during two award ceremonies: the Special Awards Ceremony on May 14, and the Grand Awards Ceremony on May 15.
• Top prizes ranged from $10,000 to $100,000 and were awarded to support students鈥� education and continued research, investing in the next generation of scientific leaders.
• The competition featured more than 1,700 young STEM students, representing 64 countries, regions, and territories.
• , 17, of Sapporo, Japan won first place and received the $100,000 George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award for his creation of a simulation program to understand complex folding, like in origami. The award is named in honor of George D. Yancopoulos, the pioneering drug researcher and Regeneron co-Founder, Board co-Chair, President and Chief 京东影业影视传媒 Officer.
• , 18, of Bellevue, Washington, and , 17, of Sofia, Bulgaria each received the Regeneron Young Scientist Awards of $75,000, Agrawal for a sponge that removes salmon-killing pollutants from water, and Veselinov for describing a new theorem in mathematics that describes the conditions under which certain equations cannot be solved using basic math functions.
• Other top prizes went to projects in Environmental Engineering, Technology Enhances the Arts, and Materials Science.

“Congratulations to the winners of this year鈥檚 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of 京东影业影视传媒 and Executive Publisher of Science News. 鈥淭hese students never fail to inspire me. They come from different backgrounds, different disciplines, and different corners of the world, and they are taking on some of our most urgent challenges with rigor, imagination, and determination. At a moment when bold thinking is needed most, they are proof of what鈥檚 possible. I couldn鈥檛 be more optimistic about the future.”

Regeneron ISEF brings together the world鈥檚 most promising young scientists and engineers to showcase research with real-world impact. Through this competition, Regeneron and the Society are fostering the next generation of STEM leaders who are helping to solve real-world challenges to improve our world.

鈥淐ongratulations to the extraordinary young scientists of Regeneron ISEF 2026. My own scientific journey began in high school, supported by great teachers, driven by a fearless youthful belief that I could cure my grandmother’s disease, and inspired by the excitement and challenge of science competitions,鈥� said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-Founder, co-Chairman, President and Chief 京东影业影视传媒 Officer of Regeneron. 鈥淚 continue to believe that the best hope for overcoming the greatest threats facing humanity lies in inspiring brilliant young minds to take on these challenges. That’s why Regeneron proudly invests hundreds of millions of dollars in programs like ISEF and the Science Talent Search. We鈥檙e celebrating not only what these students have already achieved, but the extraordinary impact we know they鈥檒l have next.”

, 17, of Sapporo, Japan, won first place and received the George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award of $100,000 for his work to predict how materials can fold in complex ways. He created a simulation program to understand complex folding, like in origami. Current methods for predicting folding can either only trace one path at a time or fail to test all the possibilities. Hikaru’s simulation software uses a statistical method called Markov Chain Monte Carlo. This method samples many possible scenarios and uses those patterns to estimate the most probable answers. It allows the simulation to examine all possibilities at once in a single run. Hikaru’s software predicted known solutions, such as the folding of a ladybug wing. This program could help design devices that need to be packed into small spaces and unfolded later, such as solar sails for satellites, medical devices or emergency pop-up shelters.

, 18, of Bellevue, Washington, received the Regeneron Young Scientist Award of $75,000 for a sponge that removes salmon-killing pollutants from water. When adult coho salmon spawn, they return to the urban streams of Washington鈥檚 Puget Sound region. In some streams, up to 80% of these fish die before spawning. These streams are polluted with a chemical from tires called 6PPD-quinone. Previous work found that 6PPD-quinone was a primary cause of these salmon deaths. To remove the pollutant from water, Lakshmi created sponge-like filters from jute plant waste. In laboratory tests of water with tire particles, she showed the filters removed up to 80% of the pollutant. It can also remove other heavy metals and particles. It also naturally breaks down in the environment. Compared with current alternatives, Lakshmi鈥檚 solution required 85% less energy to produce and reduced costs by about 98%. Her work may lead to a scalable way to protect aquatic ecosystems and drinking water from tire-related contaminants.

, 17, of Sofia, Bulgaria, received the Regeneron Young Scientist Award of $75,000 for describing a new theorem in mathematics. Mathematicians have found that equations that follow f(x) = a can be solved with basic math functions, except in a few specific cases. Nikola analyzed those isolated cases of unsolvability to find a common thread. He combined several advanced mathematical concepts. He combined ideas from topology, symmetry and Galois theory. He used these approaches to analyze when equations become impossible to solve exactly. By doing this, he described the conditions under which the equation f(x) = a cannot be solved using basic math functions. His work may impact equations used in physics and in describing how objects move through space.

Other Regeneron ISEF top honors include:

, 15, of Ontario, Canada, received the Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations of $50,000 for making an AI-powered imaging robot to find and measure tiny pieces of plastic in water. Microplastics threaten animals and aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Current ways to measure microplastics are costly and hard to implement. To create a faster and more practical solution, Evan designed and built an underwater 3D holographic camera. The camera is mounted on a self-propelled robot that swims through the water like a sea turtle. He also trained AI models to find pieces of plastic smaller than a red blood cell in the underwater images. His models were 94% accurate at telling microplastics apart from other particles. He tested it in 10 bodies of water, scanning more than 80,000 3D images for plastic particles and microorganisms. His work could make it easier and faster to monitor water sources for microplastics.

, 15, of Bellevue, Washington, received the F. Thomson Leighton and Bonnie Berger Family Prize for STEM Excellence of $50,000 for her music therapy device. Although music therapy is a recognized approach for supporting mental health, access is limited. Cost, provider shortages and lack of insurance coverage make music therapy inaccessible. To combat this, Anusha created a portable music therapy device. Her platform delivers tailored, adaptive music based on input from finger sensors. The platform combines 11 AI programs to detect emotions and generate music in real time. Across several experiments, people using the device showed reductions in stress and anxiety. Users also stayed more engaged with the therapy sessions. The platform could make it easier for people to access music therapy, which can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

, 17, of Andover, Massachusetts, received the Craig R. Barrett Award for Innovation of $10,000 for developing a new way to sort plastic recyclables using a dissolvable tag. One of the major challenges with plastic recycling is inaccurate sorting of the different plastic types. Colored plastic can also be hard to sort for proper recycling. To improve sorting accuracy, Kevin printed a radio frequency tag on plastic materials. These materials are similar to those used in plastic manufacturing. The tag acts like a wireless barcode, identifying the plastic type for sorting purposes. He made the tag from a conductive material called MXene that can transmit radio frequency signals. The tag is covered by a thin protective coating that dissolves in alkaline water. Experiments showed that both materials quickly break down during the hot washing step already used in recycling plants. Because they wash away, the plastic can be recycled without contamination. Kevin鈥檚 experiments showed the printed tag remained readable for at least six weeks. This practical approach offers a potential way to improve plastic recycling.

, 17, of Rye, New York, received the H. Robert Horvitz Prize for Fundamental Research of $10,000 for studying brain cells using magnets. Nervous system diseases can disrupt calcium signaling in brain cells called astrocytes. Researchers increasingly believe astrocytes play an important role in brain disease, but there are few ways to precisely control them remotely. Inspired by the physics of magnetic levitation, Illaria trialed a way to use magnets to modify signals sent from astrocyte cells. To do this, she first created a material that responds to magnetic fields. In the lab, she added the material to astrocyte cells. When she exposed the cells to magnets, their calcium signaling, which the cells use to communicate, changed. Different magnetic conditions made different patterns. Illaria also studied the biology of the system. She confirmed that a channel in the astrocytes called TRPV4 was responsible for the changes in calcium signaling. Under conditions that mimic a brain injury, she was able to use the system to reduce signs of cellular stress. Her research could help lead to new therapies that regulate brain activity without implanted electrical devices.

, 17, of Orlando, Florida, received the Peggy Scripps Award for Science Communication of $10,000 for creating a carbon dioxide (CO2)-based system that kills honey bee pests. Honey bees are important pollinators that support many global food crops, but up to half of all colonies die off each year. A common pest is the varroa mite. Current treatments for these mites leave chemical residues in honey and beeswax and can harm bees. Aakash鈥檚 earlier work showed that CO2 is an effective way to control the mites while minimizing harm to the bees. For this year鈥檚 project, he tested the long-term safety and real-world performance of his 鈥淢ite Blower鈥� CO2 treatment prototype. His system was as good or better at getting rid of the mites as existing pesticides. It also avoided many of their harmful side effects. In a 10-week field trial of 60 hives, the CO2-treated bees were healthier and made more honey than hives treated with pesticides. Aakash鈥檚 Mite Blower may be a cheaper and safer alternative to treating varroa mite infestations, potentially reducing the loss of hives.

, 18, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, received the听Mary Sue Coleman Award for Life Science Innovation & Impact听of $10,000 for his low-cost system to detect and interrupt seizure-like behavior in a worm model. Some people with epilepsy get brain stimulation to help control seizures. Finding the right stimulation settings often takes months of trial and error. This can be expensive and frustrating for patients. To study brain stimulation methods, Evan used gene editing to add an ultrasound-sensitive channel into the brain cells of a worm. He then built a computer controller to detect seizure-like activity. When it detected a seizure, the program would trigger an ultrasound to activate the channel and stop the behavior. Using the system, Evan tested different stimulation settings to find which reduced seizures the most. He reduced seizure recurrence by 70.1% and lowered overall seizure activity by nearly 30%. His work may lead to faster, lower-cost ways to study brain stimulation in living systems.

, 19, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and , 18, of Dubnica nad Vahom, Slovakia, received the Dudley R. Herschbach SIYSS Award.

, 17, of Oviedo, Florida, along with , 17, and , 17, of Mclean, Virginia, received the EU Contest for Young Scientists Award. Their projects will represent Regeneron ISEF at the EU Contest for Young Scientists to be held this September in Kiel, Germany.

In addition to the Top Award winners, more than 540 projects received awards and prizes for their innovative research, including 鈥淔irst Award鈥� winners, who each received a $6,000 prize.

Category Winners (22):

• Animal Sciences, sponsored by Jane Street
  • , 17, of Orlando, Florida

• Behavioral and Social Sciences, sponsored by Jane Street
  • , 18, of Andover, Massachusetts

• Biochemistry, sponsored by Regeneron
  • , 17, of New York City, New York

• Biomedical and Health Sciences, sponsored by Regeneron
  • , 17, of Westchester, New York

• Biomedical Engineering, sponsored by Regeneron
  • , 17, of Cary, North Carolina
  • , 17, of Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • , 16, of Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • , 16, of Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand

• Cellular and Molecular Biology, sponsored by Regeneron
  • , 18, of Saint Paul, Minnesota

• Chemistry, sponsored by Scripps Research
  • , 19, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  • , 18, of Bellevue, Washington

• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, sponsored by Regeneron
  • , 17, of Melbourne, Florida
  • , 17, Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia

• Earth and Environmental Sciences, sponsored by Natural Resources Defense Council
  • , 17, of Lincolndale, New York
  • , 15, of Andover, Massachusetts

• Embedded Systems, sponsored by Jane Street
  • , 18, of Dubnica nad Vahom, Slovakia

• Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design, sponsored by Siemens Energy
  • , 16, Arlington, Virginia

• Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics, sponsored by Google.org
  • , 16, of Plano, Texas

• Environmental Engineering, sponsored by Jacobs
  • , 17, of Mclean, Virginia
  • , 17, of Mclean, Virginia
  • , 15, of Burlington, Canada

• Materials Science, sponsored by Howmet Aerospace Foundation
  • , 17, of San Jose, California
  • , 17, of Andover, Massachusetts

• Mathematics, sponsored by Akamai Foundation
  • , 17, of Sofia, Bulgaria

• Microbiology, sponsored by Schattner Foundation
  • , 16, of Toronto, Canada

• Physics and Astronomy, sponsored by Jane Street
  • , 17, of Indianapolis, Indiana
  • , 17, of Lexington, Kentucky
  • , 17, of Sapporo, Japan

• Plant Sciences, sponsored by 京东影业影视传媒
  • , 17, Oviedo, Florida

• Robotics and Intelligent Machines, sponsored Zoox
  • , 16, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
  • , 16, of Shanghai, China

• Software Design, sponsored by Microsoft
  • , 17, of Bentonville, Arkansas
  • , 18, of Bentonville, Arkansas
  • , 15, of Clane, Ireland

• Technology Enhances the Arts, sponsored by Midjourney
  • , 15, of Bellevue, Washington

• Translational Medical Science, sponsored by Regeneron
  • , 16, of Wexford, Pennsylvania

Resources:

• Media kit (photos, videos, fact sheet, and more): /regeneron-isef-2026-media-kit/
• Full list of all ISEF 2026 Grand Awards winners and Special Awards winners
• View all the finalists鈥� research projects here:

What is the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF)?

Established in 1950, Regeneron ISEF, a program of 京东影业影视传媒, is the world鈥檚 largest global STEM competition for high school students. Through a global network of local, regional, and national science fairs, millions of students are encouraged to explore their passion for scientific inquiry. Top winners earn the right to compete at Regeneron ISEF where more than 1,700 finalists are judged across 22 different categories, competing for more than $7 million in awards and scholarships.

Who is sponsoring Regeneron ISEF?听

In 2019, Regeneron became the title sponsor of ISEF to help reward and celebrate the best and brightest young minds globally and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM to positively impact the world. Regeneron听is also the title sponsor of the听Regeneron听Science Talent Search (STS), a program of the 京东影业影视传媒. Regeneron鈥檚 support for these two premier programs will total more than听$300 million听from 2017 to 2036. Regeneron ISEF is supported by a community of additional sponsors, including entrepreneurs and organizations across a wide range of industries such as Adam R. Scripps Foundation, Akamai Foundation, Aramco, Arizona Science Center, Arizona State University, Burton Family Foundation, Caltech, Catalyzer Venture Partners, Central Arizona Project, Cesco Linguistic Services, Google.org, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Howmet Aerospace Foundation, Insaco, Intel, Jacobs, Jane Street, Microsoft, Midjourney, Musical Instrument Museum, National Bank of Arizona, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pivotal Foundation, Schattner Foundation, Scripps Research, Siemens Energy, and Zoox.

Learn more at /isef/.

What is 京东影业影视传媒?

京东影业影视传媒 is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, 京东影业影视传媒 is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the听Thermo听Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM Outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for听Science听is committed to听inform,听educate,听and听inspire.

Learn more at听听and follow us on听,听,听, and听.

What is Regeneron?
听(NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops, and commercializes potentially life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique ability to听repeatedly and consistently translate science听into medicine has led to听numerous听approved treatments and product candidates in development, most of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and听pipeline听are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare diseases.

At Regeneron, science and responsible business practices go hand in hand. This conviction guides our , focused on delivering life-transforming medicines, expanding access to care, and supporting colleagues, communities and the ecosystems essential to human health. Through programming, including the , the and numerous STEM initiatives, Regeneron supports science research pathways and ecosystems, helping cultivate the next generation of STEM innovators. In addition, is an initiative founded by ^庐, Meharry Medical College, and other biopharmaceutical partners to help address inequities in STEM careers and research. Regeneron has been repeatedly recognized for these efforts by the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices and the Civic 50 list of America鈥檚 most community-minded companies.

For more information, please visit听听or follow Regeneron on听,听,听,听and听.

Media Contacts

Tina Parisi Tuttle, Regeneron

Gayle Kansagor, 京东影业影视传媒听

703-489-1131, gkansagor@societyforscience.org

###听

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Through a combination of classroom-ready research kits and direct funding for specialized equipment, these grants will encourage educators to bring advanced scientific tools into their classrooms, giving students the opportunity to conduct fundamental and impactful research. For many students, it will be the first time they experience science as a process of discovery.

Students receiving this year鈥檚 STEM Research Grants will build a wide range of skills, from analyzing DNA using techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and gel electrophoresis to designing solar-powered solutions for their communities. They will also monitor water quality and bacterial growth and create sustainable gardens that support local families. These projects move beyond traditional instruction, enabling students to engage directly with the tools and methods used in college labs and professional research settings, preparing them for future careers in STEM.

Educators receiving this year鈥檚 STEM Research Grants teach in a wide range of communities, including rural districts and schools with limited access to funding for lab equipment. Their work reflects a shift from learning about science to actively doing science, empowering students to investigate real-world challenges and develop core skills of researchers, engineers and innovators.

鈥淐ongratulations to all 41 of this year鈥檚 STEM Research Grants recipients. These educators are opening doors for students to explore science in meaningful ways and to pursue questions that matter to them,鈥� said Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of 京东影业影视传媒 and Executive Publisher of Science News. 鈥淏y equipping classrooms with the tools for discovery, this program helps students build confidence, think critically and develop skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom.鈥�

Funding and Program Support

Support for this year鈥檚 STEM Research Grants is provided by and an anonymous donor. The STEM Research Grants are awarded in two forms: research kits assembled and distributed by 京东影业影视传媒 and funds paid directly to educators for STEM equipment.

In 2026:

• 41 educators will receive grants across 16 states
• 21 educators will receive research kits, valued at $1,000 each
• 20 educators will receive specialized funding of up to $5,000 per teacher

Priority is given to schools with limited access to research equipment and resources. Many of this year鈥檚 recipients teach in public schools where funding for hands-on STEM learning can be scarce. With these grants, students will be able to pursue independent investigations, participate in science fairs and engage more deeply with scientific concepts through direct experience.

What鈥檚 Included in the STEM Research Kits?

Each STEM Research Kit is designed to support hands-on experimentation, data collection and real-world investigation. Each kit includes:

• Arduino Starter Kits (2 per classroom): Students learn the fundamentals of electronics and programming by building circuits, using sensors and coding interactive projects.
• Water Monitoring Kits: Students conduct environmental testing, including water quality analysis and bacterial monitoring, enabling investigations into local ecosystems. Students can听easily听monitor听parameters in water, conducting up to 100 tests for 5 parameters and 44 tests for coliform bacteria, as well as unlimited tests for macroinvertebrates, temperature, and turbidity.
• Soil Test Kits: Students analyze soil composition by measuring nutrients and pH, supporting studies in agriculture, environmental science and sustainability. This kit includes tests for soil nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and pH.
• PocketLab Voyagers (2 per classroom): These portable sensors allow students to collect and stream real-time data on motion, temperature, altitude and atmospheric conditions, supporting investigations in physics, engineering and climate science.

Together, these tools will transform classrooms into active research environments where students design experiments, analyze data and draw evidence-based conclusions.

For years, 京东影业影视传媒 has been committed to strengthening STEM education by expanding access to research tools and opportunities. To date, the Society has distributed $885,000 in STEM Research Grants to 407 teachers, supporting classrooms with limited access to STEM resources. These efforts have reached students across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Peru, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.

Learn more about the 2026 STEM Research Grantees here and see the full list below:

1. Caden Albrecht, St. George Academy (Washington, Utah)
2. Keith Berry, Hoehne Schools (Trinidad, Colorado)
3. Sherry Bowen, Blackman Middle School (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
4. Kyle Braun, Centerville Middle School (Centerville, South Dakota)
5. Ronald Brillantes, Pahin Sinte Owayawa/Porcupine School (Porcupine, South Dakota)
6. Sarah Camens, Dakota Ridge High School (Littleton, Colorado)
7. Petra-Ann Campbell, Lake Placid Middle School (Lake Placid, Florida)
8. Allia Coultas, Sheridan High School (Sheridan, Wyoming)
9. Erin Cupp, Stonewall Middle School (Stonewall, Oklahoma)
10. Kathy Davis, Tipton Christian Academy (Covington, Tennessee)
11. Jonathan Dumont, SeDoMoCha Middle School (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine)
12. Scott Eckhart, Swink Junior-Senior High School (Swink, Colorado)
13. Stacey Floyd, West Field High School (Ogden, Utah)
14. Cecelia Gillam, Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans, Louisiana)
15. Tara Hall, New West High School (Buffalo, Wyoming)
16. Kristi Hibbert, Big Piney Middle School (Big Piney, Wyoming)
17. Carolynn Hidalgo, Jose Marti STEM Academy (Union City, New Jersey)
18. Brianna Jenkins, Jackson High School (Jackson, Ohio)
19. Jesse John, Edward R. Murrow High School (Brooklyn, New York)
20. Rise Jongeling, Axtell Park School (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
21. Elisa Kensinger, Dickinson High School (Dickinson, North Dakota)
22. Kaycie Klimisch, Maxwell Colony Elementary 04 (Menno, South Dakota)
23. Kaitlynn Krack, Watertown High School (Watertown, South Dakota)
24. Tayler Kriss, Center High School (Center, Colorado)
25. Zafer Kulac, Memphis School of Excellence Mendenhall (Memphis, Tennessee)
26. Loret Landavazo-Sornaoglu, Walnut Park Middle School STEM Academy (Walnut Park, California)
27. Kacey Larson, Everitt Middle School (Wheat Ridge, Colorado)
28. Juliette McGhee, Greenback High School (Greenback, Tennessee)
29. Latasha Moseley-Edwards, James B. Dudley High School (Greensboro, North Carolina)
30. Iva Moss, Fort Washakie School (Fort Washakie, Wyoming)
31. Mike O’Connell, Chester Area Middle School (Chester, South Dakota)
32. Yevgeny Pevzner, Kearns Junior High School (Kearns, Utah)
33. Bridget Pugh, Monterey High School (Monterey, Tennessee)
34. Deana Sain, Bolivar Middle School (Bolivar, Tennessee)
35. Jesi Seifert, Stratford STEM Magnet School (Nashville, Tennessee)
36. Marcus Staley, Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck, North Dakota)
37. Ashley Steward, Fleming High School (Fleming, Colorado)
38. Jesse Sugar, Wendover High School (Wendover, Utah)
39. Denise Thompson, Orting High School (Orting, Washington)
40. Autumn Wendler, Elizabeth High School (Elizabeth, Colorado)
41. Noelle Westcott, Central High School (Grand Junction, Colorado)

For more information, please visit: /stem-outreach-programs/stem-research-grants/

What is 京东影业影视传媒?

京东影业影视传媒 is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, 京东影业影视传媒 is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher 京东影业影视传媒 Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM Outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, 京东影业影视传媒 is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at听听 and follow us on听,听,听, and听.

Media Contact:

Aparna K. Paul (she/her)
Director of Communications
京东影业影视传媒
Cell: 781-375-8353
Email: apaul@societyforscience.org

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What are your favorite memories from ISEF?

One of the things I really enjoyed about ISEF was talking to the judges about my work. It was great to talk to people who knew something about what I was doing, were enthusiastic and wanted to hear more.

Was your ISEF project a project in mathematics?

Yes. I participated in a summer program called the Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT, which is where I began my research. After RSI concluded, my RSI mentor Satomi Okazaki connected me to Doug Jungreis, who was then a postdoc at UCLA near my home in Los Angeles, and he continued to mentor me. This enabled me to continue working on the research that became my ISEF project.

How would you describe the central ideas that drive your research?

My research is in algebraic combinatorics. Algebra is the study of things like polynomials, and combinatorics is the study of finite or discrete structures; it often involves counting. As an example, if you give a combinatorialist a cube, they will probably observe that it has six two-dimensional faces, 12 one-dimensional edges, and eight zero-dimensional vertices.

In my Ph.D. thesis, I studied a mathematical object called the positive Grassmannian. There are actually infinitely many positive Grassmannians, and they can have arbitrarily high dimensions, but just like a cube, each one can be decomposed into pieces of different dimensions. My first graduate school theorem was an explicit formula for the number of pieces of each dimension in each positive Grassmannian.

Your work lies at the intersection of algebra, combinatorics and geometry. What happens when those fields collide?

One thing that is useful about being at the intersection of several mathematical fields is that you鈥檝e got a larger set of tools to draw from and a larger set of problems. My work has had unexpected connections to fields even outside of math. A year after I wrote my first paper on the positive Grassmannian, another mathematician named Sylvie Corteel wrote a paper proving that my formulas enumerating could be interpreted as probabilities explaining what happens in a model called the asymmetric simple exclusion process. This model was introduced by biologists to study translation in protein synthesis, and it has also been used as a model for traffic on a one-way street.

At that point I had never heard of the asymmetric simple exclusion process, but all of a sudden I was learning that my polynomials were computing probabilities related to traffic flow and protein synthesis. It was extremely intriguing.

Congratulations on being named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow. How did you feel when you learned you received the award?听

I鈥檒l preface my answer by saying that in May 2025, essentially all of the federal science grants at Harvard were canceled by the government. I had an individual National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for my research, and two NSF conference grants. The grants were all canceled in May鈥夆�斺�塧nd I was supposed to use one of them to organize a conference at Harvard in June! It was an incredibly disruptive, stressful and discouraging experience. Since last spring, it has felt like higher education, and the field of science, was having an existential crisis.

Then in the fall I got a phone call from the MacArthur Foundation telling me I had won one of their awards. This was quite a wonderful shock. It was a real gift to be told that somebody still cares about my research and to be given the resources I needed. The award couldn鈥檛 have come at a better time.

Who inspired you when you were younger and who inspires you today?

When I was younger, I had many wonderful teachers who encouraged me in writing, math and music. I also grew up with three younger sisters, who like me loved math and science. Then when I was a senior in college at Harvard, I met Maryam Mirzakhani, who had just started graduate school at Harvard. We took a class together, and while she was quiet and a bit shy, she was clearly very intelligent and asked penetrating questions. She went on to become the first woman to win a Fields Medal, though tragically she passed away from cancer a few years later.

Today, I have a number of friends who inspire me, many of whom are women. Many are juggling careers with parenting. It鈥檚 inspiring to see women doing amazing work while juggling whatever else is going on in their lives.

What were your favorite books growing up and what are you reading today?

In elementary school my favorite books were the Narnia chronicles, starting with听The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as well as the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

More recently, I鈥檝e read several inspiring memoirs by female scientists. I read Sara Seager鈥檚 memoir听The Smallest Lights in the Universe, about her work as an astrophysicist as well as her life. I also enjoyed Hope Jahren鈥檚 memoir听Lab Girl, which discusses her life and work as a geochemist.

You recently coauthored a paper called听First Proof, which examined the ability of large language models to solve complex mathematical questions. What prompted this investigation? What did you learn?听

We initiated this project in part because the media surrounding AI and math is so extreme. There are articles saying AI is going to 鈥渟olve math,鈥� as well as articles saying that AI is useless. We wanted to develop an objective test to see how good AI is at proving mathematical statements.

We had to design this test very carefully because if you ask an AI model a math question, and the answer is on the internet somewhere, the model is going to find that solution. We had to identify problems that did not have solutions online. We also didn鈥檛 want to use famous unsolved conjectures, because that wouldn鈥檛 tell us anything. We needed to develop solvable open questions whose solutions were not on the internet: We concluded that we should use research questions from our own work that we had recently solved but not yet published. Our initial paper听First Proof听consisted of 10 problems from different areas of math. We made this paper public on February 6, and revealed the solutions on February 14, to allow for a 鈥渃ommunity experiment鈥� during the eight days in between. During this time many companies and individuals took on the challenge and tried to solve our problems.

What did you learn from this experiment?

In our testing of a few publicly available AI models, before we publicly released the problems, we found that if we gave the model one shot to answer each question, as opposed to interacting with the model and giving feedback on intermediate solutions, the model could solve two of our 10 problems. During the community experiment, several companies shared more impressive results using their internal, but not publicly available, models. We didn鈥檛 specify any strict protocols for the community to follow, like the one shot rule, making it difficult to come to any definitive conclusions or compare the outcomes. We are now busy preparing to release a second more formal round of problems.

There are many challenges facing the world today. What keeps you up at night?

I would say one of the things keeping me up at night is worrying about the state of higher education and funding for science research in general. Recently, the government has been trying to cut as much funding as possible for basic scientific research, including graduate and postdoctoral fellowships.

Another thing I鈥檓 thinking about is how we, as mathematicians, can best use tools such as AI. While AI models can be very helpful, when it comes to math research, the models often output a wrong answer with a great deal of confidence. We need better tools for determining whether an AI-generated solution is correct.

What gives you hope for the future?

My students give me hope. I teach a freshman seminar every year, and it鈥檚 always a wonderful experience for me to get to know these very bright 18-year-olds who are arriving at Harvard full of hope and dreams. Their excitement and enthusiasm keep me feeling young and optimistic.

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听 (NASDAQ: REGN) and 京东影业影视传媒 (the Society) announced that Connor Hill, 17, of State College, Pennsylvania, won the top award of $250,000 in the 2026 (STS), the U.S.鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Key Takeaways:

• This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Science Talent Search and Regeneron鈥檚 10^th year as the title sponsor; Regeneron is extending its title sponsorship through 2036, pledging $150 million to fuel the next generation of science and technology leaders.

• Forty finalists were honored at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., receiving more than $1.8 million in awards recognizing groundbreaking research, exceptional analytical rigor, exceptional problem-solving skills and potential to shape the future of STEM.

• Top Three Winners:
  • Connor Hill, 17, of State College, Pennsylvania won first place and $250,000 for discovering a way to identify all the possible “noble polyhedra,” highly symmetric shapes with flat sides and straight edges. He wrote a computer program to do the computations and proved there are two infinite families of noble polyhedra, as well as 146 isolated examples.

• • Second place and $175,000 went to Edward Kang, 17, of Hackensack, New Jersey for using retinal images to train AI models on subtle patterns linked to autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to create a screening tool called RetinaMind. He also created retinal cell models to study gene changes that may help explain why these differences occur.

• • Third place and $150,000 went to Iris Shen, 17, of The Woodlands, Texas, for testing a potential cancer drug in clams to see if they could serve as an animal model for blood cancer drug discovery. In the clams, the drug had a similar effect to what researchers observe in human cells. She also tested a mix of other potential cancer drugs, which slowed the clams’ tumor growth.

• Media Resources:
  • High-resolution photos, winner bios, project summaries, b-roll, and video interviews are available in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Media Kit: /2026-regeneron-science-talent-search-media-kit

• • Media may also access the full list of 40 finalists and detailed project descriptions at: /regeneron-sts/2026-student-finalists/

• • The Science Talent Search represents a long-term commitment to the next generation of scientific leadership. It supports students鈥� educational pursuits and research while recognizing young scientists whose intellectual rigor and bold thinking position them to shape the future of innovation.

• • Together, all听40听finalists join听a distinguished group of听Science Talent Search alumni, many of whom have gone on to听achieve听world-changing careers in听STEM, including earning听esteemed honors such as 13 Nobel Laureates, 23 MacArthur Fellowships and 14 winners of the National Medal of Science.

“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, 京东影业影视传媒 and Executive Publisher, Science News. 鈥淭heir bold vision and perseverance reveal what the next generation of problem solvers truly looks like鈥攁nd why our future is in capable hands. Their creativity, ambition and courage to confront the world鈥檚 toughest challenges are exactly what this moment demands.鈥�

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is committed to providing a national platform for high school seniors to showcase original, innovative STEM research that proposes novel solutions to real-world issues. Finalists are evaluated for their scientific rigor, originality, critical thinking, leadership potential, and commitment to creating meaningful impact in crucial STEM fields.

鈥淐ongratulations to the winners of the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, and to all the finalists who participated in this year鈥檚 competition. These students represent exactly the kind of extraordinary talent scientific progress depends on,鈥� said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-Founder, Board co-Chairman, President and Chief 京东影业影视传媒 Officer of Regeneron and a 1976 Science Talent Search winner. 鈥淔rom my own experience as a Science Talent Search winner, I know the transformative power of this competition. That鈥檚 why Regeneron is deepening our commitment and extending our title sponsorship for another decade. Through our support of Science Talent Search and our title sponsorship of the Regeneron International Science Fair, the world鈥檚 largest high school science competition, we will invest more than $300 million from 2017 to 2036. We may never know where the next great scientific leader will come from, but we do know it鈥檚 our responsibility to find that talent, fuel it, and give it every chance to change the world.鈥�

Other top honors from the competition include:

• Fourth Place and $100,000: Rachel Chen, 18, of Los Angeles, California for developing a concrete, visual way to describe systems of many quantum particles using Temperley-Lieb diagrams, expanding on a 1997 finding. Rachel illustrated how a magnetic field influences the entire quantum system using these simple point-and-line diagrams.

• Fifth Place and $90,000: Jerry Xu, 17, of Lexington, Massachusetts for building an AI program that compresses the features of protein molecules into strings of numbers. He showed that his model enabled a more efficient comparison of protein structure without the loss of important features. This could speed up genetic research and drug discovery.

• Sixth Place and $80,000: Leanne Fan, 18, of San Diego, California for building a device to simulate microgravity in order to study how wounds heal in space. With the device, she tested red light on injured flatworms and found that it sped up tissue regeneration by 95.2%. She also found that red light treatment speeds up wound repair in human models in normal gravity.

• Seventh Place and $70,000: Claire Jiang, 18, of Wyckoff, New Jersey for developing a cellular model of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). She treated cells used to study rheumatoid arthritis with bone morphogenetic protein 4, a protein linked to JIA joint damage. Her experiments showed they acted like JIA cells in their growth and gene expression.

• Eighth Place and $60,000: Leon Wang, 17, of Stamford, Connecticut, for finding two FDA-approved drugs that may also be effective against Alzheimer’s disease. Both drugs reduce the activity of a cellular signaling pathway linked to an Alzheimer’s gene. In lab-grown brain cells, the drugs reduced signs of damage due to the pathway.

• Ninth Place and $50,000: Jonathan Du, 18, of Mountain View, California for investigating the unrestricted finite factorization property. Factorization breaks down mathematical objects into simpler parts. Jonathan’s work explores complicated algebraic systems where some elements have several factorizations, and others do not factor at all.

• Tenth Place and $40,000: Seth Nabat, 18, of Winnetka, California for building a machine learning program to quickly and accurately track particle collisions without sacrificing accuracy by favoring symmetry. Seth’s program uses an unconstrained network to catch errors, and another network to find patterns in them.

• Colin Jie Chu, 18, of听Palo Alto, California was named the Seaborg Award winner and听selected听to speak on behalf of the Regeneron Science Talent Search Class of听2026. The 40 finalists chose听Colin听as the person who听best听exemplifies their class and the听legacy听of nuclear chemist Glenn T. Seaborg, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1951 and served on the Society鈥檚 Board of Trustees for 30 years.

• The remaining 30 finalists received $25,000 each. In total, Regeneron awarded $3.1 million in awards, including $2,000 to each top scholar and their school. Since the start of Regeneron鈥檚 sponsorship in 2017 through this year鈥檚 competition, Regeneron and the Society have engaged and inspired more than 20,000 of the nation鈥檚 top young scientists, recognized 3,000 as Regeneron scholars, and awarded over $31 million in prizes.

Resources:

• 2026 Winner Media Kit (photos, bios, research summaries, b-roll, video)
• Virtual Project Showcase (All 40 finalist projects)
• Full List of 40 Finalists
• Top 300 Scholars
• Notable STS Alumni

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