2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search Media Kit
The Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS), a program of the Society for Science for 82 years, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition. Started in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, the Regeneron STS recognizes and empowers our nation’s most promising young scientists who are developing ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges. Each year, nearly 1,900 students enter the Regeneron STS, submitting original research in critically important scientific fields of study. Unique among high school competitions, the Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the most promising scientists among the nation’s high school seniors.
- Top 3 Award Winners photo,
(Please credit Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) - Regeneron STS Logo
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- Photos labeled CA or KR: Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography
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2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search top award winner photos and videos
Neel Moudgal, First Place $250,000 award
Project Title: Using Unassigned NMR Chemical Shifts To Model RNA Secondary Structure
Neel Moudgal, 17, of Saline, MI, developed a computer model that can more easily predict the structure of RNA molecules than current methods that require expensive equipment and a lot of computer power. Neel simplified the process by creating a library of possible structures for a given RNA molecule. This allowed him to rapidly and reliably predict the structure of various RNA molecules using only easily accessible data. He hopes his work will make the diagnosis and treatment of diseases easier in the future.
Emily Ocasio, Second Place $175,000 Award
Project Title: Demographic Correlates of Humanizing Language in Media Coverage of Crime: Evidence From The Boston Globe, 1976-84
Emily Ocasio, 18, of Falls Church, VA, tracked homicide victims’ demographics (race, gender and age) in press coverage by The Boston Globe. She examined FBI homicide records between 1976 and 1984 and matched the victims with their corresponding newspaper articles. Then, using an AI program, she assessed each article to measure the amount of humanizing language used to describe the victim. She found the newspaper reported fewer humanizing details for Black male and young Black female murder victims than for whites.
Ellen Xu, Third Place $150,000 Award
Project Title: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Kawasaki Disease Diagnosis
Ellen Xu, 17, of San Diego, CA, developed a computational model that uses deep learning to improve diagnosis of Kawasaki disease (KD), the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children one to five. KD diagnosis is based on five visual signs easily confused for other diseases. Using images of patients with either KD or look-alike diseases, Ellen pre-trained her model and created a neural network that can evaluate a smartphone photo of a child and predict, with 85% specificity, the probability of the child having Kawasaki disease.
Max Misterka, Fourth Place $100,000 Award
Project Title: A Generalization of q-Calculus Using Formal Group Laws
Max Misterka, 16, of Harrisonburg, VA, studied q-calculus, a version of traditional calculus, and generalized it to what he calls s-calculus. Initially, Max set out to prove properties about a related topic concerning F-de Rham complexes but had a key insight and introduced a new tool that he called the s-derivative. With his generalization, Max was able to prove many things about s-calculus which are analogous to known results in calculus and q-calculus. He hopes his new tools will prove useful in quantum physics.
Linden James, Fifth Place $90,000 Award
Project Title: Thyroid Hormone Treatment of Neurological Trauma Using the Model Galleria mellonella
Linden Chi James, 17, of Durham, NC, conducted research to see if a thyroid hormone, T3, could potentially be used to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI). They used the wax moth caterpillar as their model because it shares neurological similarities with humans and has a version of human T3 called juvenile hormone (JH). Linden inflicted caterpillars with TBI and treated them with either JH or a control substance. Based on caterpillar agility tests before and after treatment, they believe T3 may be a promising treatment for TBI.
Ambika Grover, Sixth Place $80,000 Award
Project Title: Design of a Novel, Dual-Functioning, Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Factor XI-Inhibiting Anticoagulant Therapeutic for Rapid Ischemic Stroke Treatment
Ambika Grover, 17, of Riverside, CT, created a targeted injectable microbubble designed to break up blood clots in the brains of stroke victims and restore blood flow. Ambika used magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, which are so small they can only be seen with a special microscope, coated with a layer of a drug that breaks up clots and a layer of a drug that prevents new clots from forming. Then she enclosed the nanoparticles in a shell to create a microbubble and coated it with proteins called peptides, which are attracted to blood clots.
Ethan Zhou, Seventh Place $70,000 Award
Project Title: Online Learning of Smooth Functions
Ethan Zhou, 18, of Vienna, VA, studied the mathematical theory behind a type of machine learning in which the program receives training data gradually. His work should be especially useful for algorithms that predict events that are naturally revealed over time, such as weather. For example, the program may be tasked with predicting Tuesday’s weather and then Wednesday’s weather after it learns if Tuesday’s forecast was correct. Ethan investigated how well these algorithms do when confronted with something very unpredictable.
Samantha Milewicz, Eighth Place $60,000 Award
Project Title: Selective Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Attenuates Traumatic Brain Injury Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in a Novel Dynamic in vitro Model
Samantha Maya Milewicz, 17, of Armonk, NY, studied how the body’s immune reaction to traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to secondary injury by causing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which protects the brain from toxins, to leak. Using a new 3D model of the BBB, Samantha found that after a TBI, the brain overproduces an enzyme, which degrades the proteins that bind together the cells lining the BBB. Reducing the production of that enzyme stopped the leakage, allowing the BBB to function normally.
Siddhu Pachipala, Ninth Place $50,000 Award
Project Title: SuiSensor: A Novel, Low-Cost Machine Learning System for Real-Time Suicide Risk Identification and Treatment Optimization via Computational Linguistics
Siddhu Pachipala, 18, of The Woodlands, TX, aimed to develop a machine learning tool that assesses suicide risk and best course of treatment based on patients’ diary entries. Based on his models, correlations between semantics (meaning), suicide risk and course of treatment were more accurate than correlations between syntax (grammar), risk and course of treatment. He believes using semantics to gauge psychological health is worth future study, as current measures have led to under-detection of suicide risk.
Thaddaeus Kiker, Tenth Place $40,000 Award
Project Title: QPOML: Leveraging Machine Learning and Game Theory To Detect and Characterize Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in X-Ray Binaries
Thaddaeus Kiker, 18, of Fullerton, CA, predicted the presence and properties of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) – a mysterious harmonic flickering in the x-ray radiation from black holes. Although QPOs have been observed for decades, scientists have not yet agreed on a definitive explanation for them. Using 16 years of data from two black holes, Thaddaeus trained new machine-learning models to predict the presence and properties of their QPOs. He hopes his work will help solve some of the mysteries that remain.
Siddhu Pachipala, Seaborg Award winner
Learn about Regeneron STS 2023 Host: Soledad O'Brien
Media Speaker, Award-Winning Journalist, Entrepreneur and Anchor of the Weekly Syndicated Political Show Matter of Fact
Through the power of storytelling, Soledad O’Brien brings a fresh perspective on diverse and contemporary issues to foster change in your own community or organization.
As the anchor of the Sunday morning syndicated political show, Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, Soledad has established herself as one of the most recognized names in broadcasting by telling the stories behind the most important issues, people and events of the day. A champion of diversity, she gives voice to the underserved and disenfranchised through her Emmy-winning reporting and acclaimed documentary series, Black in America and Latino in America. While also the contributing editor, reporting in-depth news magazine pieces for PBS NewsHour and correspondent for HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. A prominent philanthropist, Soledad is the founder of PowHERful, a foundation that mentors and funds college tuition and expenses for young women.
Interview Christina Chan, Senior VP, Corporate Communications and Citizenship
We invite you to interview Christina Chan, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Citizenship about this year’s competition and winners. Christina joined Regeneron in 2021 and leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for external & internal communications, patient advocacy, corporate responsibility as well as social impact. Christina holds an MBA in finance and strategy from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a B.A. in international relations and Chinese from Tufts University.
“Through our partnership with the Society for Science, it is our goal that the Regeneron Science Talent Search elevates young scientists and underscores the significance of STEM in solving society’s biggest challenges. We commend the scholars’ inspirational and thought-provoking projects and look forward to what the future has in store for each of these budding innovators.”
Interview Maya Ajmera, President & CEO of the Society for Science
We invite you to interview the President & CEO of the Society for Science, Maya Ajmera, to learn more about Regeneron Science Talent Search and this year’s winners. Please email communications@societyforscience.org for assistance.
- Maya headshot
- About Maya
- Quote from Maya about Science Talent Search 2023: “Congratulations to the winners of the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News. “These young leaders are the stewards of our future. I am in awe of their creativity and conviction.”
George Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Cofounder, President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron
We invite you to interview George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Cofounder, President and Chief Scientific Officer at Regeneron to learn more about this year’s winners of the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Please email Joseph Brown at joseph.brown2@regeneron.com for assistance.
- About George
- Quote from George about Science Talent Search 2023: “Congratulations to the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023 winners, and to all our impressive finalists,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron, and a 1976 Science Talent Search finalist and top winner. “My experiences participating in the Science Talent Search changed my life, helping convince me to devote my life to trying to use science to cure disease. I can only hope this year’s students will be similarly inspired to become the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators that will develop and advance solutions for the world’s greatest challenges.”