The 2026 Regeneron STS Top 40 are brilliant, talented and excelling beyond science
Congratulations to the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 finalists! These young scientists should be proud of the journey that brought them here. Scientific research is only a fraction of what they do. Here are a few fun facts that make them stars, both in and out of the lab!
Giving back to the community:
- One finalist volunteers with their local Ambulance Corps.
- Another finalist is a camp counselor for a summer camp for children experiencing homelessness.
- Another co-founded a nonprofit, which teaches kids about electronic engineering.
- Another finalist co-leads the Junior Computer Program, teaching beginner programming courses to local elementary and middle school students.
Creative streaks:
- One of this year’s finalists is a Swiftie who knows the lyrics to more than 200 Taylor Swift songs.
- Another plays blues guitar.
- Another finalist is an actor who appeared in productions of “Matilda the Musical” and “The Sound of Music.”
- A literal rockstar, one finalist plays electric guitar in a rock band.
Other stand out fun facts:
- One finalist is the co-captain of his school’s debate team.
- Another organizes free cancer screenings and conversational English classes for immigrants.
- Another has volunteered at a local guinea pig rescue for five years, and even fostered eight guinea pigs and has had four of their own.
- Another has visited nearly every single national park in the United States, with Great Sand Dunes National Park as their favorite.
Below is a look at the finalists’ top activities, project categories and where their research was conducted:
