High School Seniors Awarded Over $1.8 Million in Innovative STEM Research at Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025
The Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025 celebrated its 84th year by awarding a staggering total of over $1.8 million in prizes to talented high school seniors. This prestigious science and math competition, often referred to as the oldest in the United States, emphasizes the innovative research and groundbreaking solutions proposed by young scientists in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Among the award winners was Matteo Paz, an 18-year-old from Pasadena, California, who took home the top prize of $250,000. Matteo's project, which utilized machine-learning algorithms, sifted through an astonishing 200 billion entries of infrared data captured by the NEOWISE satellite. By analyzing subtle variations in infrared radiation, he was able to classify astronomical objects into ten distinct categories and subsequently identified 1.5 million new potential celestial bodies, a significant contribution to the field of astronomy.
The second place, worth $175,000, was awarded to Ava Grace Cummings of Smithfield, North Carolina. Her innovative approach involved creating a fruit fly model to study STAC3 disorder, a rare genetic muscle disease. She discovered that common nettle herb and an experimental drug, Tirasemtiv, significantly enhanced movement in both adult fruit flies and larvae, showing promise for potential treatments in muscle disease.
Owen Jianwen Zhang from Bellevue, Washington, secured third place with a $150,000 award for solving a longstanding problem in mathematics related to 3-uniform hypergraphs. His research has broader applications in computer science, providing insights into the relationships among complex objects and their connections.
At the award ceremony held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., the finalists were recognized not only for their scientific acumen but also for their critical thinking and leadership skills across various STEM fields. Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science, remarked, "The remarkable creativity and dedication of these students bring renewed hope for our future. These young scientists are developing groundbreaking solutions that have the potential to transform our world."
In addition to the top three winners, several other exceptional projects were awarded. Logan Lee from Honolulu, Hawaii, received a $100,000 award for his research on improving the survival rate of sterile male mosquitoes, critical for controlling mosquito populations. Rivka Lipkovitz, from San Francisco, California, earned $90,000 for her statistical modeling research on voter ID laws, revealing significant insights into voter turnout trends.
Melody Heeju Hong, from Wantagh, New York, was awarded $80,000 for developing a statistical model linking genetics and environmental factors in diseases—a crucial step towards reconciling the complexities of genomics.
Each student finalist received a minimum of $25,000. Their projects not only highlight individual brilliance and innovation but also represent a commitment to solving real-world issues via scientific inquiry and research. This year, a total of $3.1 million has been earmarked for prizes, further emphasizing Regeneron's commitment to promoting STEM education.
As the event concluded, the finalists joined a legacy of alumni from the Science Talent Search, many of whom have pioneered advancements and received prestigious accolades such as the Nobel Prize and National Medal of Science. This year’s finalists embody the spirit of inquiry that has defined this competition for over eight decades, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in STEM and beyond. For more details on the finalists and their research projects, visit Society for Science.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search not only recognizes and rewards outstanding scientific talent but also serves as a crucial platform for young innovators who are poised to lead the next wave of scientific breakthroughs. As we look forward to the future of STEM, the contributions from these bright minds give us every reason to be hopeful for what is yet to come.
Among the award winners was Matteo Paz, an 18-year-old from Pasadena, California, who took home the top prize of $250,000. Matteo's project, which utilized machine-learning algorithms, sifted through an astonishing 200 billion entries of infrared data captured by the NEOWISE satellite. By analyzing subtle variations in infrared radiation, he was able to classify astronomical objects into ten distinct categories and subsequently identified 1.5 million new potential celestial bodies, a significant contribution to the field of astronomy.
The second place, worth $175,000, was awarded to Ava Grace Cummings of Smithfield, North Carolina. Her innovative approach involved creating a fruit fly model to study STAC3 disorder, a rare genetic muscle disease. She discovered that common nettle herb and an experimental drug, Tirasemtiv, significantly enhanced movement in both adult fruit flies and larvae, showing promise for potential treatments in muscle disease.
Owen Jianwen Zhang from Bellevue, Washington, secured third place with a $150,000 award for solving a longstanding problem in mathematics related to 3-uniform hypergraphs. His research has broader applications in computer science, providing insights into the relationships among complex objects and their connections.
At the award ceremony held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., the finalists were recognized not only for their scientific acumen but also for their critical thinking and leadership skills across various STEM fields. Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science, remarked, "The remarkable creativity and dedication of these students bring renewed hope for our future. These young scientists are developing groundbreaking solutions that have the potential to transform our world."
In addition to the top three winners, several other exceptional projects were awarded. Logan Lee from Honolulu, Hawaii, received a $100,000 award for his research on improving the survival rate of sterile male mosquitoes, critical for controlling mosquito populations. Rivka Lipkovitz, from San Francisco, California, earned $90,000 for her statistical modeling research on voter ID laws, revealing significant insights into voter turnout trends.
Melody Heeju Hong, from Wantagh, New York, was awarded $80,000 for developing a statistical model linking genetics and environmental factors in diseases—a crucial step towards reconciling the complexities of genomics.
Each student finalist received a minimum of $25,000. Their projects not only highlight individual brilliance and innovation but also represent a commitment to solving real-world issues via scientific inquiry and research. This year, a total of $3.1 million has been earmarked for prizes, further emphasizing Regeneron's commitment to promoting STEM education.
As the event concluded, the finalists joined a legacy of alumni from the Science Talent Search, many of whom have pioneered advancements and received prestigious accolades such as the Nobel Prize and National Medal of Science. This year’s finalists embody the spirit of inquiry that has defined this competition for over eight decades, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in STEM and beyond. For more details on the finalists and their research projects, visit Society for Science.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search not only recognizes and rewards outstanding scientific talent but also serves as a crucial platform for young innovators who are poised to lead the next wave of scientific breakthroughs. As we look forward to the future of STEM, the contributions from these bright minds give us every reason to be hopeful for what is yet to come.
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