Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026 Awards Over $1.8 Million to Young Innovators

Mar 12, 2026, 2:51 AM

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The 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), the oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors in the US, has recognized exceptional young scientists by awarding over $1.8 million in prizes. This year marks the 85th anniversary of the competition and the tenth year of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals as the title sponsor, a commitment that has now been extended through 2036 with an additional $150 million investment to support future science leaders.

Connor Hill, a 17-year-old from State College, Pennsylvania, took home the top prize of $250,000 for his groundbreaking work in computational mathematics. Hill developed a computer program to identify all possible "noble polyhedra," which are highly symmetric shapes with flat sides. His research proved there are two infinite families of such polyhedra, along with 146 isolated examples, showcasing his significant analytical skills and innovative thinking.

Following Hill, Edward Kang from Hackensack, New Jersey, secured the second-place award of $175,000. His project focused on using retinal images to train AI models on patterns linked to autism and ADHD, leading to the creation of a screening tool named RetinaMind. He also investigated genetic changes in retinal cell models that may help explain these patterns, reflecting the intersection of technology and neuroscience in his work.

Iris Shen, 17, from The Woodlands, Texas, won third place and $150,000 for her research on a potential blood cancer treatment. She tested a drug in clams to determine if they could serve as an animal model for drug discovery. The drug exhibited effects similar to those observed in human cells, and she also tested various other drugs that successfully slowed tumor growth in clams. This innovative approach underlines the potential for using alternative models in medical research.

The competition also recognized several other remarkable projects. Rachel Chen, 18, of Los Angeles, received fourth place and $100,000 for developing diagrams to visualize quantum particle systems. Jerry Xu, 17, of Lexington, Massachusetts, took fifth place with a program that compresses protein structure data, which could accelerate genetic research and drug discovery efforts. Leanne Fan, 18, of San Diego, built a device to simulate microgravity for studying wound healing, finding that red light treatment significantly sped up tissue regeneration in flatworms and human models.

George D. Yancopoulos, co-founder of Regeneron and a former Science Talent Search winner, emphasized the transformative impact of the competition in fostering scientific talent. He stated, "From my own experience as a Science Talent Search winner, I know the transformative power of this competition" and highlighted Regeneron's commitment to nurturing future innovators through ongoing investments in science education and research.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search continues to provide a vital platform for high school seniors to showcase their innovative research and propose solutions to pressing global challenges. Each finalist is evaluated based on scientific rigor, originality, and leadership potential, demonstrating their commitment to making a meaningful impact in STEM fields.

In total, the 2026 event awarded $3.1 million, including $2,000 to each participating scholar and their schools. The ongoing sponsorship by Regeneron has engaged over 20,000 young scientists since 2017, recognizing 3,000 as Regeneron scholars and distributing more than $31 million in prizes throughout its tenure.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search not only highlights the exceptional capabilities of young scientists but also reinforces the importance of investing in future generations to tackle the world's most significant challenges in science and technology.

As this year's finalists demonstrate extraordinary talent, they stand as a testament to the potential that lies within the next generation of scientific leaders, ready to drive innovation and progress in their respective fields.

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