Notable Alumni

Innovators. Explorers. Scientists.

From Nobel laureates to entrepreneurs and inventors, the Society for Science has an extraordinary community of alumni who embody the principles of science and engineering research, leadership, innovation and global impact in their careers long after competing in our storied science research competitions.

These alumni underscore the critical importance of the Society’s programs — which encourage and celebrate young scientific talent and its potential — and tell the story of our history.

In celebration of the Society’s centennial, these impressive changemakers were selected based on their professional accomplishments and lasting contributions to advancing science and improving the world in which we live. We look forward to adding alumni in the years that follow.

We hope you explore this list, draw inspiration from their journeys and share your story as a past competitor.

If you would like to nominate yourself or another alumna/us to be considered for the website, please email alumni@societyforscience.org with the subject line “Notable Alumni Nomination”.

Please visit our Regeneron ISEFRegeneron Science Talent SearchBroadcom MASTERS and suite of Outreach and Equity programs pages to discover the next generation of innovators.

Meet the Changemakers

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Notable alumni headshot

Patricia Nakache

Science Talent Search
1980's
Notable Alumni Chetan Nayak

Chetan Nayak

Science Talent Search
1980's
Notable alumni headshot

Dianne K. Newman

International Science and Engineering Fair
1980's
MacArthur Fellowship
Notable Alumni - Joan Oates

Joan Oates

Science Talent Search
1940's
Notable alumni headshot

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

International Science and Engineering Fair
2000's
Notable Alumni - David Pensak

David Pensak

Science Talent Search
1960's
Notable alumni headshot Roderic Pettigrew

Roderic Pettigrew

International Science and Engineering Fair
1960's
Notable Alumni Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman

Science Talent Search
1990's
Notable Alumni headshot

Lisa Randall

Science Talent Search
1980's
Notable alumni headshot

Jane Richardson

Science Talent Search
1950's
MacArthur Fellowship
Notable alumni headshot Thomas Rosenbaum

Thomas Rosenbaum

Science Talent Search
1970's
Notable alumni headshot Alvin Roth

Alvin Roth

Science Talent Search
1960's
Nobel Prize

Connect on the Society Alumni Network

Meet fellow alumni, volunteer, share or apply for job and research opportunities, RSVP for events and get the latest updates on Society programs and initiatives.

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2024 Science Talent Search finalist Alexis Li
Finalists work together on a group challenge at Thermo Fisher JIC 2023
When the moon passes in front of the sun, the moon casts its shadow on the Earth, blocking the view of our local star. This is a type of eclipse (seen here in an illustration).

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