“We’re working on a bunch of hardware projects,” David told the finalists, describing experiments involving sensors, lasers and large-scale machines. “We have a lot of really weird projects.”

Those plans have since started coming into focus. This summer, Midjourney with an experimental full-body ultrasound scanner intended to create detailed three-dimensional maps of the body. The company is also planning a that would combine the scanners with baths, saunas and other wellness amenities.

The unexpected venture is the latest chapter in a scientific journey that began long before Midjourney. David was named to the . But before all of that, he competed at ISEF in 2006. He returned two decades later as the founder and CEO of Midjourney, which also sponsors the Technology Enhances the Arts (TECA) category at Regeneron ISEF, and as a member of the 91”Œșœ Board of Trustees for a conversation with Society President and CEO Maya Ajmera.

From ISEF to an entrepreneurial career

David described himself as “just a random kid in Florida” who did not grow up surrounded by scientists. He said every adult who “cared and listened and encouraged” had “a bigger effect than you’d think.”

His 2006 ISEF project focused on locating and tracking sounds in three dimensions using microphones. “My board had a bunch of microphones built into it and the wires going into a computer,” David recalled. “As we would walk around the board and talk about the project, it would show in 3D where we were based off our voices.”

The project reflected an early interest in sensors and spatial tracking that later carried into Leap Motion, the advanced hand-tracking technology company he co-founded. “I was really into sensors and tracking and understanding things, and that ended up going into my first company, which was Leap Motion,” David said.

David left his Ph.D. program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to launch the company. He had originally imagined a more traditional career path: completing his doctorate, working at NASA and eventually running his own lab. Then he began to wonder whether he needed to wait.

“What if I just skip a lot of those steps and go straight to trying to make my own thing?” he recalled asking himself. “So I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going to take six months, 12 months, see what I can do.’ And never came back.”

That independent streak also shaped how David built Midjourney, which became profitable without outside investors. For David, earning revenue directly from customers was an important test of whether the product was genuinely liked by customers. “Raising money is very different than having a product that people are willing to pay for,” he said. “In some ways, if people aren’t willing to pay for it, is it really adding value?”

How should young people approach AI?

David offered the finalists a memorable way to think about generative AI: Treat it like “a friend that thinks they know everything, but they often don’t.”

AI systems can recognize patterns, generate possibilities and help people work more quickly, but they may not recognize gaps or biases within the information on which they rely. That makes human judgment, fact checking and verification essential.

David also encouraged students to distinguish between problems that require combining existing knowledge and those that demand genuinely new thinking. AI is particularly capable when it can blend concepts it has encountered before. Moving beyond those boundaries is much harder.

“Sometimes you have to rethink the whole world from scratch,” he said. “There are a lot of ways that new ideas can form, and that’s really where a lot of the opportunity is.”

Students who are comfortable pursuing “fuzzy, vague, not well-defined problems,” he suggested, possess an increasingly valuable skill.

“The second the numbers are gone, most people feel lost,” David says. “It’s a rare skill to be able to work on something that’s not particularly well-defined.”

Will AI replace human creativity?

David founded Midjourney in 2021 to explore the creative process itself: how people imagine new possibilities and how technology might help bring those possibilities to life.

“The most interesting question is not so much, ‘What do we want to build?’” he said. “The more interesting question is, ‘What do we want to become?’”

He compared working with generative AI to growing a garden. A person helps cultivate the result, but many influences contribute to what eventually emerges. “Did you make that tomato plant? I don’t know. I guess you grew that tomato plant,” David said. “That tomato plant is a reflection of yourself in some ways, but it’s also a reflection of every tomato plant that’s ever existed.”

Rather than using AI to avoid creative work, David believes people should use it to attempt more ambitious work. An artist might rapidly test ideas, experiment with color and composition, or pursue a project that would otherwise require prohibitive amounts of time.

“I think ideally we use these tools to make ourselves more ambitious and more confident,” he said. “We use these things to do bigger work that we wish we could do.”

His advice extended beyond AI. Looking back, David said many of his missed opportunities resulted from judging an unfamiliar idea too quickly instead of investigating what it might offer.

“Life isn’t necessarily about giving you answers as much as it is about giving you inspiration,” he said. “The more that you can take anything that comes at you, whether it’s good or bad or right or wrong, and say, ‘What kind of inspiration for new ideas can I draw out of this?’ everything just works better.”

Watch the .

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The newest class of Rhodes Scholars includes five extraordinary 91”Œșœ alumni whose journeys began, in part, at science fair.

Aruna Balasubramanian, Sydney Barta, Vivian Chinoda, Julie Sieg and Sophia Wang participated in Society competitions as middle and high school students. This fall, all of these young women will head to the University of Oxford, where they plan to pursue research spanning the sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Though their interests have evolved in different directions, they each say their science fair experiences helped them learn how to conduct research, communicate complex ideas and see themselves as part of a global community of young innovators.

: Exploring how art can transform communities

When Aruna Balasubramanian began conducting science projects as an elementary school student, she had no idea that the experience would eventually help shape her interests in language, culture and the arts.

Aruna credits Valerie Denny, her science teacher at the French International School of Philadelphia, with introducing generations of students to scientific research. With Denny’s encouragement, Aruna earned best-of-show honors at the Delaware Valley Science Fairs in both seventh and eighth grade and participated in the 2018 Broadcom MASTERS, now the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.

Her projects examined the complexity of human language and the grammar of birdsong.

“From my projects, I learned research methods that later inspired me in college as I studied the geometry of Indian musical scales,” Aruna said. “The poster sessions at the science fairs also developed my public speaking skills, which amplified over time.”

Aruna, now 21, is completing majors in anthropology and history at Yale. Her senior thesis is a historical ethnography of Naoshima, a small Japanese island that has used museums and art galleries to support its local economy.

At Oxford, Aruna hopes to pursue an MPhil in Social Anthropology and continue examining the role creative economies can play in the social and economic development of small towns across different global contexts. An oil painter and musician, Aruna also hopes to pursue nonfiction writing while at Oxford.

“I care about the democratization of knowledge and the public dissemination of scholarship,” she said. “Combining these passions, I want to pursue nonfiction writing at Oxford with the goal of contributing to popular journals and news outlets.”

: Harnessing data for social impact

For Vivian Chinoda, participating in ISEF revealed just how vast and interconnected the scientific world could be. Representing Zimbabwe, she competed in Intel ISEF in 2019 and Regeneron ISEF in 2020 and 2021. Before her first ISEF, she had never traveled beyond Southern Africa.

“The most memorable part of that experience for me was walking around different booths, learning about other young people’s projects and motivations,” Vivian said.

Meeting students from across the world changed the way Vivian thought about both science and its power to connect people. “It was during my first ISEF that I began to clearly see science as more than just what I was learning in class, or even my own project and its impact,” she said. Instead, she came to view science as “a much greater medium for the global village to come together, share ideas and progress.”

Vivian, 24, graduated from MIT with a degree in business analytics. She has since worked at the intersection of business, technology and social impact, including co-founding the African Students’ Association Social Impact Fund, which supports student-led development projects across Africa.

At Oxford, she plans to pursue an MSc in Social Data Science through the Oxford Internet Institute. She is also considering a DPhil in Social Data Science or another graduate degree focused on public policy.

“It feels surreal to see myself in the position I once dreamt of,” Vivian said. “More than that, it is a privilege to be a Rhodes Scholar. My deepest thought is centered on how I can best steward my talents, interests and the access that I have to add value to the fields and societies closest to my heart,” she said.

: Building a stronger relationship between science and society

Sophia competed at ISEF from 2018 through 2020 and was named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar in 2020. Her research focused on developing a real-time system that combined civil engineering, internet-connected sensors and AI to detect sinkholes.

Sophia remembers the Society’s competitions not only for the research, but also for the community she found there.

“The most memorable part was meeting other young people who were serious about and independently driven toward science,” she said. “My peers were, in many cases, even more curious, focused and scrappy than myself. Being surrounded by that level of earnestness was important for me at that age and remains important to me now.”

The competitions also taught her that research must be communicated clearly for others to understand your work. Ìę“The fair was where I first learned the importance of articulation, particularly in the sciences,” Sophia said.

After earning a bachelor’s in aeronautics and astronautics engineering from MIT, Sophia began working across engineering, sustainability and public policy. Her work has included leading a sustainability policy task force in Bhutan, conducting research at a lab in Japan and working with a venture capital fund focused on space technologies.

At Oxford, Sophia plans to pursue an MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics followed by an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy. She hopes to examine not only what science can accomplish, but also how scientific progress should serve society.

“I’m most excited to engage in these discussions with my peers in a global cohort,” she said. A dedicated cyclist, Sophia is also looking forward to exploring the United Kingdom and nearby parts of Europe by bike, an activity she describes as both reflective and peaceful.

: Advancing ecological research in a changing climate

Julie Sieg participated in Regeneron ISEF in 2022, presenting research on how increasing ocean temperatures affect phytoplankton communities. Her project received a Fourth Award in the Earth and Environmental Sciences category.

“It was one of the first opportunities I had to present my research and get valuable feedback from professionals,” Julie said. “It was an amazing learning experience that really shaped my science communication skills and solidified my interest in scientific research.”

Now 21, Julie is studying biology at the University of British Columbia. Her research has addressed some of the most urgent ecological questions of a changing climate, from the decline of western monarch butterflies to the effects of temperature on the feeding behavior of shore crabs.

At Oxford, Julie plans to pursue a master’s degree in biology, with a focus on community ecology. “I am so honored to have been chosen as a Rhodes Scholar,” she said. “I am really looking forward to doing research under amazing professors.”

Julie also trained at Canada’s National Ballet School. Alongside her scientific work, she hopes to continue dancing and take a variety of ballet classes during her time at Oxford.

: Connecting biomechanics, athletics and medicine

Sydney Barta who hails originally from Arlington, Virginia, participated in the 2018 Broadcom MASTERS. At Stanford, she studied bioengineering, was an elite sprinter and a member of the U.S. Paralympic National Team.

Sydney is the first Paralympian to compete on Stanford University’s track and field team. She is a five-time U.S. Paralympic Track and Field national champion, a two-time Parapan American champion and a two-time World Para Athletics medalist. She also represented the United States at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

At Stanford, Sydney brought her experiences as an athlete into the lab. Her honors research examined how athletic training influences postural control during jump landings, part of her broader interest in biomechanics, balance and injury prevention.

She has also served in national leadership roles representing athletes, including on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s Collegiate Athlete Advisory Council and the Team USA Athletes’ Commission.

At Oxford, Sydney hopes to complete graduate research in musculoskeletal sciences. She ultimately hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon and bring together her understanding of medicine, biomechanics and the experiences of athletes with disabilities.

The next chapter

The five scholars’ paths demonstrate that early scientific research can lead almost anywhere. Their work at Oxford will take them in very different directions. But for all five of these young women, participating in Society competitions was an early chapter in a much larger intellectual journey.

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For the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors, this final summer before college has been anything but ordinary. Some are continuing the research that brought them to the national stage. Others are teaching younger students, exploring new cultures, reconnecting with family or simply taking time to slow down after an extraordinary senior year.

We caught up with several finalists to learn how they’re spending this brief pause between high school and college, and what they’re most excited to discover next.

Alyssa Yu
Poolesville, Maryland →MIT

One conversation during the Regeneron Science Talent Search changed Alyssa Yu’s summer.

After connecting with a senior epidemiologist during a finalist event, Alyssa began a computational epidemiology research project at the National Institutes of Health. The experience allowed her to expand beyond the theoretical epidemiology research she conducted for the Science Talent Search and explore a more applied, data-driven side of the field.

“Because I am just fresh out of high school, I think it’s really important for me to explore as much as possible,” she says.

This fall, Alyssa is looking forward to more than just classes. She’s excited to meet people with different perspectives, build lasting friendships and continue asking big questions through research.

“I’d like to understand wildly new perspectives, hear about the cool things that other people are building, and share my own journeys with them as well,” she says. “College is a great time to break out of my comfort zone and find new hobbies and passions.”

Linus Chen-Plotkin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania →Princeton University

Linus Chen-Plotkin’s summer has taken him from the Indian Himalayas to Tokyo and Italy, but his curiosity hasn’t taken a vacation.

Between international travels, Linus collaborated with an English professor at Johns Hopkins University on a computational analysis of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Middle English. He also submitted his Regeneron Science Talent Search physics paper to a scientific journal and is now revising it in response to peer review.

“I’ve gotten to relax, spend time with friends and family, and indulge my academic interests,” he says.

At Princeton, Linus is especially eager to take his first proof-based mathematics course, one he expects will challenge him while introducing entirely new ways of thinking.

Uma Sthanu
Austin, Texas →Stanford University

Uma Sthanu intentionally designed her summer around three passions she hopes will shape her future: research, mentorship and entrepreneurship.

She joined Regeneron’s Neurotherapeutics group, applying machine learning to behavioral data. She also returned to MIT’s prestigious Research Science Institute, this time as a teaching assistant in data science, statistics and research methodology. She also attended Y Combinator’s Startup School to learn how scientific discoveries can become real-world innovations.

Together, those experiences, she says, helped clarify the impact she hopes to make. “My goal is to contribute to meaningful research while also helping build the next generation of curious, capable and ambitious young scientists.”

At Stanford, Uma hopes to continue pursuing groundbreaking research while expanding opportunities for younger students to discover science for themselves.

Khushi Karthikeyan
Ardsley, New York →University of Chicago

Teaching, research and family have defined Khushi’s final summer before college. They spent part of the summer teaching coding at a summer camp, gaining valuable work experience while helping younger students develop new skills. At the same time, Khushi’s been preparing their Regeneron Science Talent Search research for journal submission, hoping to arrive on campus with a publication already underway.

Just as important has been spending time with their parents and sister. “My time at home with them is limited,” they say, “and I want to make good use of what I have left.”

This fall, Khushi looks forward to challenging themselves academically, finding a community of equally passionate students and continuing research in astrophysics, a field that has always captivated them.

Khushi says, “One of the things that excites me most about starting college this fall is the range of new, interesting classes I can take. I deeply enjoy expanding my mind, and I always love learning more about things that fascinate me.”

Finnegan McGill
Tucson, Arizona→University of Arizona Honors College

After a whirlwind senior year, Finnegan McGill made the most of a summer that balanced adventure, family and science.

He traveled to Germany to visit his grandparents, saw Bruno Mars perform at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium and spent time waterskiing with family in Virginia. But for the Regeneron Science Talent Search finalist known as the “bird guy,” summer also meant sending his A-BiRD device back into the Arizona desert to collect additional data.

“If you know me as the ‘bird guy’ from STS, you’ll be happy to know that my A-BiRD device spent part of the summer back out in the Arizona desert collecting additional data!” he says. “It was nice to finally have a summer to relax before college.”

This fall, Finnegan will join the W.A. Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, where he plans to study molecular and cellular biology on the pre-med track. He’ll also return to his former cancer research lab to help complete experiments for a publication and hopes to shadow physicians as he begins college.

“As I prepare to begin college, I’m most excited to explore… everything!” he says. “I can’t wait to meet new people and take advantage of all the opportunities the university has to offer. I’m also hoping to play intramural soccer—if I make it through the tryouts. Wish me luck, and Bear Down!”

Natalie Muro
Colorado Springs, Colorado →Colorado State University

After the fast pace of senior year, Natalie made a conscious decision to slow down. She’s spent the summer paddleboarding, running, catching up on favorite television shows and making memories with friends and family before leaving for college.

“It has been wonderful to have the opportunity to slow down a little,” she says.

Natalie plans to continue the research she submitted to the Regeneron Science Talent Search while exploring new biomedical engineering ideas, joining Formula SAE and discovering all that college life has to offer, including, she jokes, finding her favorite coffee shop!

Sophia Liang
Ellicott City, Maryland →Brown University

For Sophia Liang, this summer became an opportunity to reconnect with family and with a part of her own story. She spent five weeks traveling throughout China, visiting relatives she hadn’t seen in nearly a decade and immersing herself in experiences that broadened her understanding of culture and identity.

“It gave me a very different perspective on not just daily life, but also led to conversations with family on their personal and cultural values that I had never considered before,” she says.

When she arrives at Brown this fall, Sophia is excited to embrace the University’s open curriculum, continue exploring science and discover Providence.

She says, “While I’m certain I’ll continue expanding my knowledge of science, I’m also very open to discovering new interests. I’ve heard Brown offers a wide variety of courses, from Comedy to Meditation, and I’ve been eyeing a club that explores Providence’s cultural scene. I’m excited to see how I’ll grow through these and many other experiences!”

Leanne Fan
San Diego, California → Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Leanne has embraced what she’s heard is one of life’s rarest seasons.

She says, “I know college is going to be a ton of fun but also a ton of work, so I want to take any chance I can get to reconnect with friends around the world and learn about what they’ve been up to. I’m brushing up on some programming skills as well so they can maybe aid me in future research projects.”

At MIT, she hopes to find an academic community where she feels at home, continue her work in biophotonics and learn from classmates whose experiences differ from her own.

“I’ve been told that this summer before college is a rare point in time where we have few expectations and are kind of floating in this blissful state,” she says. “I’m trying to savor it as much as possible.”

Interested in competing? Learn more about applying to the Regeneron Science Talent Search:Ìę

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In his project, Peter investigated whether artificial intelligence image-generation platforms perpetuate stereotypes about scientists. By asking four AI image generators to create images of five different types of scientists, he found that the systems often reinforced gender stereotypes and male bias in science, highlighting how AI tools can reflect limitations and biases in the data they learn from.

We caught up with Peter to learn more about his experience at Finals Week, the friendships he formed and his advice for future applicants.

During Finals Week in Washington, D.C., when did you feel most like yourself, not just as a young scientist, but as a person?

For me, being part of a community with shared interests, collaborating, sharing curiosity with like-minded peers from throughout the nation and seeing that same innate curiosity in others made me feel most like myself.

The simple joy of having fun, of returning to childhood memories of playing with Legos and building contraptions with rubber bands, brings out my true self. I think the challenges we completed during Finals Week reignited that sense of excitement.

If I had to point to one specific moment, it would be during the third team challenge, when my group used Play-Doh to secure wooden blocks while transporting a ball from one side of our table to another team’s. Feeling that excitement and unlocking my curious nature during the challenges made me feel completely like myself.

What’s something another finalist said or did that has stuck with you? Or is there something you learned from a fellow finalist that you’d like to share?

One finalist who had a big impact on me was Miles Wu.

From the first day, Miles always had a huge smile on his face. Even before I got to know him, he struck me as approachable and kind. Once we became friends, I realized my instincts were correct.

The first time I really talked with him was during presentation day. Before the judges arrived, I walked around the room looking at projects and talking with other finalists. When I stopped at Miles’s project, he spoke with enthusiasm and conviction about his work.

Miles taught me the value of maintaining an optimistic mindset and simply “going with the flow.” He reminded me that nobody lacks the qualifications to be a Thermo Fisher JIC finalist.

Later, backstage during the awards ceremony, everyone was eagerly waiting to hear who had won the ASCEND Award. Akhil, Evan, Camila and I were all making guesses. When it was my turn, Miles’ smiling face immediately came to mind.

“I bet it’s Miles,” I said.

And it was.

Miles truly embodies the passion, enthusiasm and kindness that defined the 2025 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists.

If you had unlimited time and resources, how would you take your idea further or in a completely new direction?

I would expand Generations AI into a larger initiative focused on accessible AI education across generations.

Right now, Generations AI is still developing as a community-centered project designed to help people of different ages learn about AI in practical, accessible and ethical ways. The goal is to make AI feel less intimidating and more participatory, allowing families and communities to explore it together.

With more resources, I would expand it into a network of community workshops, multilingual digital resources and collaborative spaces where people could use AI not only to learn about technology, but also to imagine solutions to real-world challenges.

At its core, the project is about AI for good: widening access and helping more people feel empowered to shape the future. I would also love to create my own AI model designed to be representative of the world’s population and less susceptible to bias.

What’s a question you wish adults asked you more often about your research, or about being a young scientist?

I wish adults asked young scientists more often about what they’re curious about.

Curiosity is the starting point for every project. Students need opportunities to explore their questions and receive feedback that helps them develop their ideas further.

I think what students my age need most is reassurance that their questions have a place in the scientific community when pursued with rigor and passion. Simple words of encouragement can become the motors that drive young scientists to push beyond the limits of their imagination.

More than anything, I wish adults asked about the story behind the poster board and the interests that inspired the research. Those conversations often reveal the passion that fuels the science.

Before you applied, what did you think the competition would be like, and what surprised you once you got there?

Last year was my first time competing in a science fair, and I always thought of myself as the underdog.

I was in shock when I received the call announcing that I had been selected as a Thermo Fisher JIC finalist. Before arriving in Washington, D.C., I imagined the competition would be intense. The best comparison I can think of is American Ninja Warrior.

I expected rigorous presentations, ruthless competitors and everyone racing toward the equivalent of the red buzzer: the awards.

What I found instead was a compassionate and welcoming community.

I formed lasting friendships with finalists from across the country, and we still keep in touch through our Thermo Fisher group chat. The experience completely changed my perception of the 91”Œșœ community. What I once imagined as an elite and closed-off group turned out to be a vibrant community of curious, supportive and like-minded people.

I hope our paths cross again someday, whether at ISEF or later in our careers.

What would you say to a student who’s unsure if their project is “good enough” to apply?

To any student who is passionate about science, I would say this: You do not have to be a genius, have extensive 91”Œșœ experience or conduct experiments in a professional laboratory. Curiosity begins at home.

You can use the materials available to you and still accomplish incredible things. Having access to advanced equipment is not a requirement for success. Passion, curiosity and courage (because presenting can be intimidating) are what truly drive innovation.

I don’t come from a 91”Œșœ background. Last year was my first time competing in a science fair. Through that experience, I learned what the 91”Œșœ community truly represents.

The questions I have at home can be welcomed and explored through 91”Œșœ.

Above all, I would share this advice: If I can do it, you can do it too.

Learn more about Peter’s award-winning research exploring bias in artificial intelligence image-generation systems and how technology can shape perceptions of who belongs in science: /jic/2025-student-finalists/peter-fernandez-dulay/

Applications for the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge are open now. Apply here: . Applications close June 10, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The post Five Questions with Peter FernĂĄndez Dulay, winner of the 2025 $10,000 DoW 91”Œșœ Talent Award appeared first on 91”Œșœ.

Camila’s project examined blood samples from Puerto Ricans for antibodies to dengue virus and showed that the virus is endemic to Puerto Rico, helping public health officials better target interventions. Earlier this year, Camila was featured in for her research investigating dengue transmission in Puerto Rico and its implications for public health. She was also the first Puerto Rican student to receive a top award at Thermo Fisher JIC.

We caught up with Camila to learn more about her experience at Finals Week, what she learned from fellow finalists and what advice she has for future applicants.

During Finals Week in Washington, D.C., when did you feel most like yourself, not just as a young scientist, but as a person?

The first time I remember truly having a good time and feeling like myself was when I went out to dinner with the other finalists. Up until then, we had been friendly, but we hadn’t really had the chance to connect on a deeper level. That dinner changed everything.

It was the moment I started forming some of my strongest friendships at Thermo Fisher JIC. Before that night, I had been feeling stressed and focused on proving myself, which made it hard to relax. But being surrounded by people going through the same experience helped me let my guard down. From that point on, I felt more comfortable, more confident and genuinely excited to spend time with the people who quickly became my friends.

What’s something another finalist said or did that stuck with you? Or is there something you learned from a fellow finalist that you’d like to share?

There is so much to learn from 29 different people in a room with you that it’s hard to name only one thing. So I’ll just say that the exchange of different finalists’ points of view and daily lives really stuck with me.

Living in Puerto Rico, I had never really realized how much my day-to-day life differed from a typical American school environment. It helped me expand my worldview and see how differently people live and learn depending on where they are.

If you had unlimited time and resources, how would you take your idea further or in a completely new direction?

Having unlimited time and resources would allow any scientist to expand their research much further than they otherwise could. For me, that would mean growing my participant pool and obtaining an equal number of participants across all categories.

In my opinion, the biggest limitation of my project was the inability to determine dengue infection trends by sex and municipality. That was mainly because I wasn’t able to obtain an equal number of participants from all municipalities and both sexes. Some municipalities had representation in the hundreds, while others had as few as 10 people.

While this was outside of my control, due to time and financial constraints, we were not able to balance the data as originally planned and had to move forward using the information we had rather than waiting for additional data. With more time and resources, expanding the study could have revealed significant findings that were not possible to identify in the current project.

What’s a question you wish adults asked you more often about your research, or about being a young scientist?

Everyone has a part of their project that they enjoyed a little more than the rest, or a part of their research that they found slightly more interesting than everything else. But there comes a point in your presentation when every adult around you asks the same four questions about the same topics over and over again.

When you get back to your room at night and lie down to sleep, you realize, “I never really got to mention that one thing I researched.”

For me, that was the history of dengue epidemics in Puerto Rico. I spent countless hours brushing up on the subject and trying to find papers from as many reputable sources as I could. But at the end of the day, I didn’t really get to elaborate on it as much as I would have liked. Nerves got the better of me, and I focused on the science and accidentally left the story of why the science was important as an afterthought.

Before you applied, what did you think the competition would be like, and what surprised you once you got there?

Before applying, I expected the competition to be friendly, but I also anticipated a highly intense and stressful environment. I spent the weeks leading up to the competition watching videos from previous years and studying to see if there was anything I should be prepared for.

As I began receiving my schedules and counting down the days, my excitement grew, though I quietly worried that others might be overly serious and uninterested in connecting. In reality, while the competition maintained a level of seriousness, it was far more supportive and enjoyable than I had imagined.

Although everyone hoped to win a top prize, there was a shared understanding that outcomes were uncertain, which created a more relaxed and encouraging atmosphere. More than anything, the experience became an opportunity to meet people who shared a passion for science and build friendships that extended beyond the final awards ceremony.

What would you say to a student who’s unsure if their project is “good enough” to apply?

I was once in that position where I believed my project wasn’t good enough.

When I was first nominated for Thermo Fisher JIC, I didn’t really understand the competition that well. So, I started searching online, and when I saw all these amazing inventions, I thought I wasn’t going to win anything. Since my project didn’t invent anything or create a magical solution, I assumed it wasn’t good enough to compete, much less qualify.

I filled out my application and attended the seminars, but to be honest, I expected so little that I hit submit and forgot about it completely. When I first made the Top 300, my mother told me, “You know, Finals Week is at the end of October,” and I ignored her because I thought that was it. Then I made the Top 30 and thought my luck had to have run out by then.

I went to Washington, D.C., hoping for a certificate, an experience and a good time. Then hearing my name called during the awards ceremony was surreal, and it still plays back in my head at least once a week.

The moral of the story is that even if you think you aren’t supposed to be there, the world has funny ways of making things happen.

Applications for the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge are open now. Learn more and apply at . Applications close June 10, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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Cory, 18, of New Rochelle, New York, received the $10,000 Peggy Scripps Award for Science Communication for his project exploring how memory shapes decision-making in the Prisoner’s Dilemma, a classic game theory scenario in which two individuals must decide whether to cooperate or act in their own self-interest. Using computer simulations and mathematical modeling, Cory found that memory can significantly improve outcomes, especially in more complex interactions, and that a mix of altruistic and self-interested behaviors creates the strongest cooperative systems. His findings could help inform the design of smarter artificial intelligence systems and programs that need to effectively interact with humans.

Now headed to the halls of MIT to study applied mathematics, Cory reflects on his Regeneron ISEF experience, his fascination with human cooperation and the sci-fi innovation he’d most like to see become reality.

What did it mean to you to be a top winner at Regeneron ISEF 2025?
It meant the world to me. I love conducting and presenting my research, but being recognized at that level showed me that my work has the potential to create change and help solve real-world problems.

What was your most memorable experience from the competition?
Honestly, the bus ride home. I traveled back with 19 other students from my regional fair, and what started as a group of strangers became a group of close friends in just one week. We spent 10 hours solving Rubik’s Cubes, watching horror movies and laughing about inside jokes from the competition. That sense of connection was unforgettable.

What have you been working on since Regeneron ISEF?
This past summer, I expanded on my previous research by looking not just at player traits, but at environmental conditions that encourage or discourage cooperation. I found that some environments make cooperation much easier, while others actively work against it. I’m excited to keep exploring these questions in college.

If you could see one sci-fi technology become reality today, what would it be?
Psychohistory from Isaac Asimov’s Foundation. My research looks at human behavior in relatively simple interactions, but psychohistory imagines predicting behavior at a massive societal scale. I’d be fascinated to see whether anything like that could ever become possible.

What advice would you give to the next generation of scientists?
Pursue what genuinely interests you. Awards and recognition are wonderful, but curiosity should be the real driver. I always come back to the idea of “knowledge for the sake of knowledge.” Anything that helps us better understand the world has value.

Check out the Society blog for the latest stories, and be sure to tune in to theÌęÌęon Friday, May 15 at 12 p.m. ET!

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By combining electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering methods, Benjamin designed a system that improves efficiency while dramatically lowering costs compared to commercial recycling machines. Since his win, he has continued refining his work, mentoring fellow students and thinking even bigger about the future of sustainable manufacturing.

We caught up with Benjamin to hear more about his experience at Regeneron ISEF, what he’s working on now and the scientific advancements he hopes to see one day become reality.

1. What did it mean to you to be a top winner at Regeneron ISEF 2025?

Being a top winner at Regeneron ISEF 2025 came as such a surprise to me, and the award means so much because I know how many phenomenal projects there were at ISEF. This award has led to so many new opportunities and experiences that I am incredibly grateful for and would not have had otherwise, including presenting at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference and becoming an American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS) fellow.

The recognition also gave me the chance to help other students with their presentations and projects and give back to the science fair community. Most importantly, my research in plastic recycling and extrusion has solidified my future plans to study advanced manufacturing and mechanical or materials engineering in college. It has also motivated me to continue improving my machine and pursue the next iteration of my research in the 2027 science fair cycle.

2. What was your most memorable experience from the competition?

The most memorable moment from the competition was hearing my name announced on stage for the Regeneron Young Scientist Award. But beyond the award itself, the most impactful part of ISEF was meeting students from all over the world.

This was the first time I had attended an event with so many like-minded people who shared my passion for science and engineering. I made friendships and connections that I still have today, and I will never forget the people I met during my time at ISEF.

3. What have you been working on since Regeneron ISEF?

Since ISEF, I have mainly been preparing to continue my research over the summer. I’ve spent countless hours reorganizing my workshop and acquiring new tools and equipment so I can create a better space for research and development.

I’m currently planning the next phase of my work, including improving my extrusion-pultrusion machine to make it even more efficient and commercially viable. I also hope to develop a new machine capable of creating high-temperature composite filaments.

Outside of my own research, I co-founded a club at my school called Tech Forge, where students learn how to use tools, engineer components and complete community service projects. One of our recent projects involved designing, wiring, coding and assembling a fully functional 10-foot conveyor belt inspired by the Polar Express for our school’s annual Santa Shop event.

4. If you could make one sci-fi technology real today, what would it be?

I would love to see teleportation become reality.

While I do not think it would necessarily be the best solution for human transportation because there would inevitably be mistakes and accidents, it could completely transform logistics and manufacturing industries. Teleportation could enable the extraction and movement of resources from almost anywhere, including deep underground or even throughout the solar system. That could dramatically improve access to energy and materials while helping address global resource shortages.

5. What advice would you give to inspire the next generation of scientists?

The most important thing in science and engineering projects is to stay passionate about your research while also maintaining balance in your life.

During parts of my project, I prioritized research over things like sleep and spending time with friends. Since winning, I’ve realized how important it is to take care of your health and wellness while still pursuing your goals.

At the same time, research is something anyone can do, and there are many ways to get involved regardless of experience level. Every student who has the opportunity to pursue research should try it, because the scientific, presentation and problem-solving skills you develop will stay with you for the rest of your life.

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Originally from a small village in Slovakia and now studying at Masaryk University in Brno, the second largest university in the Czech Republic, Adam’s work has the potential to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of manufacturing treatments targeting RNA viruses such as COVID-19, Ebola and Zika. His research has drawn international attention, with features in and . By rethinking the chemical synthesis process, Adam demonstrates how innovative thinking can transform both science and industry.

To learn more about Adam’s project, visit:

We caught up with Adam recently to learn more about his experience at Regeneron ISEF, what drives his work and what’s next for him.

What did it mean to you to be a top winner at Regeneron ISEF 2025?
All of the emotions are really hard to describe in words, but it was a huge push forward for me and a sign that it’s still worth it to make scientific discoveries. It taught me not to worry about people who don’t believe in you, because in the end, the people who understand your work will truly appreciate it.

What was your most memorable experience from the competition?
For me, it was the incredible moments after winning, watching the huge crowd applauding and standing at the center of it all. It was truly unforgettable. But, also the inspiring talks we heard from various guests from the industry meant a lot.

What have you been working on or exploring since Regeneron ISEF?
As I said right after winning, my goal is to establish a widely used industrial process for manufacturing various chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, dyes and flavorings, starting from corn cob waste materials.

Since my win, I’ve been working day and night to pursue these goals. Getting the necessary practical data for patents takes time, especially while attending university, but I have big plans for 2026. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I’ll have my process working in industry and be able to document that journey along the way.

If you had unlimited resources, what would you invent or pursue next?
With unlimited resources, I would focus on upgrading mineral and fuel extraction methods so we would no longer need to destroy precious habitats to obtain the resources we need.

What advice would you give to inspire the next generation of scientists?
I would advise them to talk with as many people as possible about science and our advancements. Oftentimes, even a small interaction can push our lives forward in a huge way, so go and spread science.

In just a few weeks, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2026 will convene nearly 2,000 young scientists from around the world, each building on years of research, much like Adam Kovalčík did last year. Regeneron ISEF is made possible by a dedicated network of volunteers, judges and supporters. As Phoenix approaches, there is still time to take part. Learn more about how to get involved.

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Miles says his experience at finals week with his fellow 29 finalists surprised him. What he imagined would be an intense, high-stakes competition week turned out to be collaborative, supportive and fun-filled experiences comprised of late-night conversations, games and shared problem-solving. Whether building Rube Goldberg machines, taking on biomimicry challenges, or coding under pressure, Miles found himself energized by the chance to get creative alongside peers who were just as passionate about science as he is.

That spirit of collaboration he experienced also adds to his perspective on science research. For Miles, science is an ongoing process, where intermediate ideas, failures and explorations are just as valuable as final outcomes. It’s a mindset he hopes more adults recognize when talking to young scientists.

We asked Miles to reflect on his experience, his research and what he sees next in his path.

What’s something another finalist said or did that stuck with you?

One thing that stuck with me was how kind and cooperative my teammates (Arya, Brady, Camila and Evann) were during our group challenges. I was grateful to be in a group where each member lacked ego and competitiveness and helped each other. I appreciated how everyone was able to work calmly and collaboratively under pressure in timed challenges. Working with my fellow finalists reminded me that being a successful team isn’t about individual expertise or skill, but about humility, listening to your teammates, and letting everyone shine.

During finals week, when did you feel most like yourself?

I felt most in my element during the team challenges. I really enjoy problem-solving and building and making things, so the opportunity to work with other students just as interested in science and engineering made team challenges the most fun part of finals week. I loved being able to come up with creative solutions with my teammates, and to learn more about certain topics.

If you had unlimited time and resources, how would you take your idea further?

I would want to spend a year studying with the researchers on the cutting edge of origami engineering to deepen my understanding in the field. First, I might fly to Italy and study in Diego Misseroni’s lab, to learn more about origami metamaterials and structures and how to test them. Then I would spend a semester learning from other origami scientists and engineers, for example studying with Katia Bertoldi, who has worked on origami shelters, or taking Glaucio Paulino’s class on Origami Engineering at Princeton. It would also be an amazing opportunity to learn origami as an art form from the masters: Robert Lang for mathematical approaches to design, Hoang Tien Quyet for wetfolding and shaping, and Satoshi Kamiya for sheer complexity.

ÌęWhat’s a question you wish adults asked you more often about your research?

A lot of times when adults ask students about their research, they assume that the goal must be a tangible product or a patented design. In reality, most student science projects will not directly translate to a perfectly polished real-life product. Intermediary projects, explorations and steppingstones are just as valuable contributions to the field of science. I wish adults asked questions with this understanding that no single science project can ever be fully complete, but there is always more to learn and explore.

What would you say to a student who’s unsure if their project is “good enough” to apply?

“Go for it! You never know. Even a “simple” project can go further than you think. By filling out your application you will gain a better understanding of your own project and your scientific goals and obtain valuable experience for future research. Filling out the application takes time and is a lot of work, but it pushed me to clarify my ideas and deepened my understanding of the scientific method.”

for the Thermo Fisher JIC are now open now. Deadline is June 10, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET. Open your application today!

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As Regeneron ISEF heads to Phoenix, Arizona this spring (May 9-15) we had a chance to catch up with Nicolien Buholzer, Volunteer Manager at 91”Œșœ, about her background and the many ways to get involved. Nicolien oversees the recruitment of thousands of volunteers and interpreters for the fair. She brings more than a decade of experience working in youth-focused spaces. Before joining the Society, Nicolien served as Programs Director at the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, where she ran trauma-informed play programs for children experiencing homelessness in the Washington D.C. metro area.

Below, she shares more about her path and how you can be part of Regeneron ISEF this year.

Last year was your first year at Regeneron ISEF. In your second year at the Society, you serve as the Volunteer Manager for Regeneron ISEF 2026 in Phoenix. Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I have my undergraduate degree in journalism, but after college I spent some years living in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Los Angeles, and found my way into education and youth nonprofit spaces. I found so much fulfillment working with youth, and especially loved finding ways to build and foster community by finding passionate volunteers and helping connect them with fulfilling opportunities.

Historically, I’ve mostly worked in literacy or social services spaces, and joining the Society was a new foray into the competitive 91”Œșœ world. It’s been exciting learning about the 91”Œșœ ecosystem across the country, and connecting with so many passionate, brilliant people since joining the team.

In one or two sentences, why are volunteers and judges essential to making Regeneron ISEF happen?

Truly, Regeneron ISEF couldn’t happen without the support of generous volunteers and judges. Obviously, there is no Grand Awards without the incredible commitment of the hundreds of judges who dedicate a full day to interviewing finalists and reviewing their projects, but there’s also so much that goes on behind the scenes to power this event.

Volunteers welcome finalists and their delegations at registration, coordinate the tools and supplies finalists need to set up their projects, and even serve as interpreters for finalists who don’t speak English, ensuring this international event can stay accessible to brilliant students from all over the world.

What are the main ways someone can get involved this year in Phoenix? What do these volunteer opportunities entail?

There are tons of ways General Volunteers help behind the scenes: they greet finalists and their Official Parties at registration, coordinate the tools and supplies in the Finalist Exhibit Hall and more. General Volunteers get assigned specific roles once they check in on-site, depending on our needs and their interests.

If you meet the qualifications (see below), being a Grand Awards Judge is one of the best ways to get fully immersed in Regeneron ISEF. On Wednesday, May 13, judges will interview a selection of finalists in their category and then caucus with their fellow judges to determine category winners.

Serving as a Display & Safety (D&S) Inspector is one of the best ways as a volunteer to actually meet and interact with finalists. After a brief training, D&S Inspectors review projects to make ensure they meet display and safety guidelines for booth setup, serving as a crucial step in helping finalists get everything ready for judging. To register for this opportunity, sign up as a “general volunteer” through the volunteer registration and add D&S shifts to your schedule during the last phase of your registration.

At Regeneron ISEF judging is centered on a thoughtful exchange between judges and finalists. To ensure language is never a barrier, interpreters are assigned to specific projects to help facilitate clear communication during the question and answer process for finalists who don’t speak English. Interpreters play a critical role in assisting with a fair judging experience during judging on Wednesday, May 13.

Education Outreach Day
The Thursday of Regeneron ISEF week is one of our most exciting days, also known as Intel Education Outreach Day. On this day, we open our doors to hundreds of local schools to participate in a unique 91”Œșœ field trip experience. We’re looking for volunteers, schools and exhibitors to support this amazing day. Note: The deadline for schools and exhibitors to sign up is March 31.

Sponsors or Corporate Teams
Join the exclusive group of forward-thinking corporations, foundations, organizations and individuals that provide support for ISEF. ISEF sponsors and partners are essential to the success of the program and to the future of 91”Œșœ.

What are the requirements to serve as a Grand Award judge?
Regeneron ISEF finalists are putting out work that’s often at a grad student (or even higher!) level, so it takes an incredibly qualified team of individuals to judge their projects. For that reason, our Grand Awards judges must meet one of the following qualifications:

• A minimum of six years of related professional experience beyond receiving their bachelor’s degree, OR
• A Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent (D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., etc.) degree, and related professional experience if the degree was not recently granted, OR
• Be a current graduate student with more than four years of doctoral-level research experience or within one year of doctoral dissertation defense

It’s important to note that, due to the incredible level of research these finalists are bringing to Regeneron ISEF, “professional experience” for our purposes does not include K–12 education experience.

If you meet these qualifications, you’re invited to apply to be a judge in one of our 22 categories. If selected, you’ll be required to volunteer on-site all day on Wednesday, May 13, at the Phoenix Convention Center.

What languages are most needed for interpreters this year?
Our biggest interpretation needs for the 2026 Regeneron ISEF include Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Korean and Portuguese. Of course, that’s not to say those are the only languages we need support in.

A huge thing I want to note is that there is absolutely no requirement that interpreters have prior professional or 91”Œșœ experience. A lot of the most technical language is already in English, and interpreters also get time with their finalists before project judging starts, when they can learn many of the terms the finalist will talk about most.

Which roles are currently most urgent to fill?
With just about two months to go before Regeneron ISEF 2026, our highest current needs are for volunteer Display & Safety Inspectors, judges in life sciences categories (such as plant sciences, animal sciences and more) and interpreters.

What is the time commitment during event week (May 9–15, 2026)?
One of the great things about looking to support Regeneron ISEF is that you can typically find the time commitment that works for you. At minimum, we ask for a four-hour commitment as a general volunteer, while judging can be upwards of 10 hours.

Where should people go to learn more?

The best place to learn more is the Regeneron ISEF page on the 91”Œșœ website! Here, you’ll be able to navigate to dive deeper into any of the topics you’re most interested in. You can also reach out to ISEFvolunteer@societyforscience.org and we can point you in the right direction.

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