This is a significant��milestone��for the country, where��91���� education��is a growing priority for students.����

Holly Young,��Senior Advisor Communications & Strategic Events��at��,��reflects on the��process��of bringing��the affiliated fair to��fruition.����

Royal Society Te Apārangi is a nonprofit organization that advances and promotes science, technology and the humanities and serves as New Zealand’s national academy of scholars and researchers.����

The New Zealand science and technology fair scene is driven by passionate volunteers and young students who “follow their curiosity”, Holly says. Regional fairs and STEAM academies have been running for over 50 years. However, there has been no national fair since 2014, leaving some programs unsupported and ultimately shut down. ��

“Te��Apārangi��has become an affiliate and will use this as a springboard to support the regional fairs, to foster scientific integrity��and to inspire students and fair��organizers��to take their love of STEAM to the next level,”��Holly says.����

With this new affiliated fair, Holly says��teachers and students��may feel��inspired to attend an international competition.��This��national fair��hopes that more students are motivated to explore and complete��projects.����

“We hope��to��increase opportunities to engage with diverse communities and our Indigenous Māori and Pacific students who are traditionally underrepresented in these activities,” Holly says.����

Last year, in May 2025,����placed in their categories��representing��New Zealand in the Australian Delegation.����

Isabelle says her experience felt surreal.����

“Imagine being surrounded by��nearly 2,000��students from all over the world, each with projects that could genuinely change lives. It was overwhelming at first, but also incredibly inspiring,” Isabelle says. “I loved��the energy.��Everyone was so passionate,��curious��and eager to share ideas. I came away with new friends, new perspectives��and deep joy and confidence in what young people can achieve.”��

Isabelle placed third in the chemistry category for her project:��.����

“When they called my name, I froze for a second. I��couldn’t��believe it,” Isabelle says. “I felt incredibly grateful for the support I had received from mentors, my family��and everyone who encouraged me along the way.��Representing��New Zealand on an international platform was an��honor��that I��wouldn’t��have been able to achieve without an amazing community backing me.”��

Jesse Rumball-Smith��will return for , representing New Zealand and its new delegation.����

“ISEF 2025 blew me away,” Jesse says. “The most special part was meeting others who are passionate, diverse and far smarter than me, from across the globe. They were what made ISEF truly mind-blowing. I still talk to my ISEF friends to this day and would never have ended up at ISEF if it wasn’t for such passionate advocates.”����

Jesse’s��ISEF��story��began��in 2023.��

“I��reached out to��the����(TISF) and convinced them to��allow��New Zealand��to return after a��five-year��hiatus��due to funding challenges,” Jesse says.����

After numerous emails and LinkedIn direct messages, Jesse secured enough funding to make the trip to the Taiwan International Science Fair. He ended up serving as the Head of Delegation, Chaperone, and competitor all at once.��

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made my journey possible,” Jesse says. “I’m stoked to have helped get the ball rolling for future Kiwis to have a far easier ISEF qualification.”��

Both Jesse and��Isabelle share similar advice when it comes to��representing��New Zealand at ISEF.��Pick a project that one��truly cares��about.����

“I��don’t��think the��only��goal should ever be to��win a medal��or a prize.��The core of ISEF, I believe, is to disperse curiosity, passion��and good through the sharing of ideas and��meeting��people,” Jesse says.����

“Explore what excites you enough to spend late nights researching and testing. Additionally,��don’t��be afraid to ask for help. Mentors,��teachers��and peers can give you insights that make your project stronger,” Isabelle says.����

You can learn more about their time at ISEF in this��.����

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The panelists were the following:

• Nobel laureate, , is University Professor and former chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University. In 2008, he shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for introducing Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) as a biological marker.
• Distinguished University Professor ��has been in the Department of Microbiology at Ohio State University since 1995. Henkin’s discoveries with RNA molecules have helped expand the study of gene regulation in bacteria.
• is a Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The Ohio State University. Her current research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis and electro-catalysis.
• CK is a Professor and Distinguished University Scholar in the Division of Geodetic Science and School of Earth Sciences at The Ohio State University. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and a Fellow of the International Association of Geodesy.

Finalists asked questions on a range of topics, from artificial intelligence, advancements across 91���� fields and how to overcome scientific challenges anticipated in the coming decade.

Below are some insights from the conversation.

We are seeing an increased need for GPS and satellite technology for climate monitoring. What are the biggest challenges in geodetic science today, and what do you recommend for young scientists to help solve these challenges?

CK Shum: The GPS is not only for navigation, but it can also sense climate change. There’s a whole lot of work being done. Let me give you an example of the radar signal. The radar signal could bounce off some ocean, some soil, and then, if you correct it, the signal is very weak. It’s called a signal of opportunity, meaning that you don’t have to pay for it. And if you can gather it, you can interpret the earth, the flood, the drought, and so on.

Given your work in understanding bacterial RNA, what advancements do you believe are most likely to revolutionize the current approach to antibiotic resistance in the near future?

Tina Henkin: There are two major pathways that we need to pursue to identify new antibiotics. Historically, most antibiotics have been isolated as natural products from organisms. A big limitation is that we can only grow about 1% of the microbial organisms that exist. The second major pathway involves identifying new targets. So instead of relying solely on whatever Mother Nature has identified as places that antibiotics can be directed to, we can use structural and molecular information about organisms generated from basic science research. With today’s modeling tools, we can design chemicals that interact with those structures and potentially develop entirely new antibiotics.

What inspired you to begin pursuing a career in science and technology, and what drives you to continue moving forward in this career?

Umit Ozkan: I grew up as the youngest daughter in a middle-class family in Turkey. I loved math, chemistry and science. Chemistry and chemical engineering seemed like a good way to combine my interests.

I also wanted to teach. I wanted to do research and discover new things. What drives me is working with incredibly talented young men and women, like Regeneron ISEF finalists, every day, who are in my classes and laboratories. They motivate me; they inspire me; they keep me on my toes; they challenge me; and I keep learning every day.

2025 ISEF finalist, Nachammai Annamalai, 17, asking a question for the panelists.

If I ask ChatGPT or any other generative AI to write a research paper, it’ll do so in less than a minute. How can we distinguish this AI-manufactured research from real, genuine, meaningful research?

Martin Chalfie: One good thing about all this talk about AI is it gives a second opinion. It gives another way of thinking, but you must decide on what that is. You also have to fact-check. The problem as I see it with AI is that if people believe it without thinking about it, there can be real danger.

Umit Ozkan: I think it speaks to an even broader issue, not just checking what ChatGPT is offering us, but fact-checking everything that we see on social media, for example. If we all started questioning things, I think we would be much better as a society. I think accepting things at face value, whether it is something we see on social media or ChatGPT offers something, I think that’s where we are hurting ourselves. So that’s very important and question everything.

Advancing science often requires collaboration across disciplines. How can young researchers effectively build cross-disciplinary networks to enhance their work?

Tina Henkin: Don’t be afraid to cold email random people who publish something, write something or speak at a meeting you go to. We love to hear from students. One of the things that’s common that I hear among scientists and all faculty members is that if a student contacts them, they’re going to get a response faster than if another professional scientist contacts them. This is why we’re in academia—we love to interact with students, So, don’t be shy.

In your view, what is the single most pressing challenge that interdisciplinary science must address in the next decade, and how can emerging scientists contribute to this effort?

CK Shum: Don’t limit what you want to do. We mention all these big problems facing us; however, there are many other problems that you could look at. Sometimes, unexpectedly solving one of these problems that you don’t think is related could have large consequences. Look at entrepreneurs, scientists, Nobel Prize winners— what have they invented? You can think well, this is science, this is not practical. But in the end, it could benefit people that you don’t know many years from now. For example, quantum theory was far behind, but now we are using it to build computers and sensors that can do something we didn’t know how to do before. Today, we are measuring very small, detailed phenomena that could help us understand energy or even mitigate climate change.

You can watch the in its entirety on our YouTube channel!

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Finalists from around the world bring a small token of home, often in the form of an enamel pin to collect and attach to their lanyards.

The ballroom where the event was held buzzed with a mix of languages and expressions as finalists eagerly awaited the start of ISEF festivities. For some, this was their first pin exchange; for others, like Norah Ahmed from Newburgh, Indiana, this marked her second ISEF.

Indiana’s pin features a robot inside the outline of the state, with ISEF rimmed on top and the year 2025 centered.

“Our team is very put together; we’re unified as a team,” Norah says. “We all chose this pin together and I love feeling that sense of connection with them.”

Another second-year returner, Elle Sugimoto from Honolulu, Hawaii, didn’t just bring pins, but she also brought a sweet pineapple gummy treat. “These are one of the candies made by the Dole factory here, which is from one of the plantations,” Elle says. She also adds that the pin exchange is great for meeting all these people from different parts of the world and sharing the love of science.

With over 1,700 young scientists from 49 U.S. states and more than 60 countries, regions, and territories, the pins they exchanged are unique to each student, yet all share a common passion for 91����.

Adrian Hernandez Vega, from Lakeland, Florida, shared that he’s fascinated by the math projects he’s learning about from his fellow finalists. “I did a math project in geometry, and I like seeing other math topics students are pursuing,” Adrian says.

First-time finalist, Faisal Al-Muhannadi, from Doha, Qatar, was also ecstatic to meet fellow young engineers and scientists. “We’re exchanging our cultures and knowledge,” Faisal says. “I think it’s important that we meet each other and we understand each other. It’s a fun experience, and I recommend it to everyone.”

This year’s Pin Exchange was sponsored by the Adam R. Scripps Foundation. Follow the events at ISEF 2025 through the Society’s , and channels.

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This multimedia collection includes interactive digital stories, classroom posters and teaching guides that showcase pathways and possibilities in 91���� careers. The collection debuts on February 11, 2025, coinciding with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, highlighting the crucial role of representation in inspiring the next generation of scientists.

The collection, which can be viewed in full , features four ISEF alumni:

• (ISEF 2011), game developer
• (ISEF 2001), immersive designer
• (ISEF 2006-2008), gut microbiologist
• (ISEF 2016), applied data scientist

Launched in 2020, I Am A Scientist was developed through extensive research and educator collaboration ��to challenge stereotypes and reimagine how students engage with 91���� careers. By bringing real stories into classrooms nationwide, the initiative now reaches more than 1 million students annually, showing the diverse faces and pathways of modern science.

The free collection includes:

• Interactive digital portals featuring scientists’ personal stories and career paths
• Downloadable classroom posters highlighting scientists’ unique interests and pursuits
• Comprehensive teaching resources for educators
• Profiles of diverse 91���� professionals who combine science with interests like ballroom dancing, gardening, linguistics and running

This initiative builds on 91����’s long legacy of championing science education and The Plenary, Co.’s mission to democratize knowledge and imagination. Drawing from 91����’s prestigious ISEF, which brings together students from over 60 countries annually, the collection highlights the intersection of creativity and personal interests with scientific careers—challenging traditional stereotypes about who can be a scientist.

The post The Plenary, Co. and 91���� launch new 91���� educational resources to inspire the next generation of scientists appeared first on 91����.

Moore was the first to observe what later became known as Moore’s Law, the prediction that computers would become much more powerful in the future because of tiny electronic components that would allow them to do more and more with each passing year. Moore foresaw that these components, called transistors, would be doubled in number on a silicon chip at regular intervals, resulting in a rapid increase in the speed and efficiency of computers.

Moore, who co-founded Intel Corporation in 1968 with Robert Noyce, had a long-standing affiliation with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which was sponsored by Intel for many years prior to its current title sponsorship by Regeneron.

He was a visionary thinker who cared deeply about nurturing the next generation of problem-solvers and 91���� leaders. His commitment to supporting young scientists led to the establishment of the Gordon E. Moore Award, one of the most prestigious awards at ISEF. Today, the Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations continues to recognize Regeneron ISEF finalists who demonstrate a deep commitment to making a lasting difference for future generations through their rigorous scientific inquiry, and passion for discovery and invention, thereby honoring Moore’s legacy. The award is generously supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

In addition to sponsoring this annual $50,000 award for a top Regeneron ISEF winner, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation also supports the Regeneron ISEF Equitable Access Fund for Affiliated Science Fairs, which helps ensure that students throughout the 400 affiliated fairs of ISEF have enhanced research opportunities the world over. In total the Foundation has committed to giving $866,000 over five years in support of global 91���� research education.

Moore remains a beacon of inspiration for all who follow in his footsteps. Below, you can read some heartwarming tributes from recipients of the Gordon E. Moore Award over the last decade, arranged chronologically according to the year in which they won.

2010

Amy Chyao (Richardon, Texas, USA)
ISEF Project Title: Lights, Quantum Dots, Action!
Job Title:

Amy was the first recipient of the Gordon E. Moore Award, established in 2010, when she was just sixteen years old. Since then, she has gone on to graduate from Harvard Law School in 2019 and has worked in litigation roles in both the private and public sectors, where her science research background has proven to be an asset.

Reflecting on his recent passing on her birthday, Amy said, “Gordon Moore left an exceptional legacy on science and the world. In building my career and life, I have often reflected on the weight of receiving an honor bearing his name. I feel a kinship with him in many respects—whether an interest in chemistry since childhood, or a love of nature shared with a spouse, or even some similar personality traits. Gordon Moore expressed through his life’s work an abiding belief in humanity’s progress and betterment. This was, in a way, implicit in Moore’s Law itself, but most evident through his significant philanthropic contributions—in fact, today, the full name of the Gordon E. Moore Award is the Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations. Gordon Moore’s life is a continual source of inspiration to me, and it remains the honor of my lifetime to have received his namesake award. I hope future generations will continue to draw inspiration from his life and legacy.”

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2011

Blake Marggraff (Lafayette, California, USA)
Project Title: Treatment of Simulated Cancer Cells with Compton Scattering-Produced Secondary Radiation
Job Title:

How old were you when you won the Gordon E. Moore Award, and what have you been up to since then?

I received the Gordon E. Moore Award in 2011, along with Matthew Feddersen, when I was 18 years old for research on low-cost enhancements to radiation oncology treatments using tin microparticles and novel cell death quantification techniques. Subsequently, I attended Washington University in St. Louis where I studied biology on a pre-medicine track. Almost accidentally, however, I discovered and became passionate about mission-driven entrepreneurship via a mentor I met during ISEF. While finishing my undergraduate degree, I co-founded and grew a 91���� education and technology business. After graduating, I started a venture-backed healthcare technology company which was acquired in late 2021.

How did winning the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF impact your life and career goals?

The research behind my project took place completely in the back of a public high school classroom with about $200 of materials that my inspiring A.P. Biology teacher, Jay Chugh, helped source. To say I felt dwarfed by the sophistication of my brilliant peers’ work at the first major science fair I had ever attended would be an understatement. However, as I have been privileged to learn from mentors, investors and collaborators, many of whom I met as a result of my ISEF experience, grit and vision can be force multipliers in every part of life. My ISEF journey also deepened my conviction in the importance of evidence when developing any new technology. My digital health company, for example, began by collaborating with dozens of world-class researchers to achieve independent validation of clinical impact. At the time, this type of approach was nearly unprecedented in the startup world but has since become a requisite in the industry. Strong research and validation, in my view, is neither a luxury or a burden, but instead a necessity to most effectively refine and advance innovations.

How do you believe you are living up to Gordon E. Moore’s legacy and ideals in your current work or studies?

Winning this award is uniquely humbling. I have reflected deeply on a central mission for myself that might approach the monumental and positive impact of Gordon Moore’s inventions and leadership. In my lifetime, I intend to create companies and products that result in the addition of one billion healthy, productive years of life (known as Quality Adjusted Life Years, or QALYs) to humanity.

The company that I started in 2015, CareSignal, creates patient monitoring solutions and has served hundreds of thousands of patients across the country with chronic, behavioral health, addiction, social determinants of health and maternal health challenges, improving their healthcare outcomes while reducing cost for the U.S. healthcare system and its hard-working healthcare providers. Through this venture, I strive to live up to Gordon Moore’s leadership in innovation, industry and philanthropy. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that the Regeneron ISEF creates for young scientists and engineers and firmly believe it is among the most effective catalysts for positive impact in the world.

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2015

Raymond Wang (Vancouver, Canada)
Project Title:  Aircraft Cabin Airflow: Curbing Disease Transmission
Job Title:

How old were you when you won the Gordon E. Moore Award, and what have you been up to since then?

At 17, receiving the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF opened my eyes to the powerful impact and fulfillment of a career in engineering. Since then, I’ve graduated from Harvard in computer science, picked up a pilot’s license, and in 2020, commercialized my patented ISEF invention to help combat COVID’s spread in air travel. Now 25, I most recently founded AeroVect, a startup deploying autonomous driving for airport ground logistics at some of the busiest hubs in the world. Gordon Moore’s legacy has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on our generation, and I’m excited for the future we’ll continue to create, standing on his shoulders.

How did winning the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF impact your life and career goals?

ISEF was a pivotal moment in my high school journey, where I was fortunate to meet many lifelong friends from around the globe, who continue to inspire me with their burning passions for creation and relentless spirits for perseverance today. It was also ISEF that challenged me to dig deeper into my passions at the intersection of technology and aviation. It is truly an honor to be a small part of this extraordinary movement, and I’m deeply appreciative of Dr. Moore’s enduring legacy, both directly and through Intel, for creating the nurturing environment that ISEF has offered.

How do you believe you are living up to Gordon E.  Moore’s legacy and ideals in your current work or studies?

Undoubtedly, Gordon Moore’s legacy has been a powerful inspiration for many in our generation. His unrelenting perseverance, humble ingenuity and incredible ability to bring together brilliant minds are a constant reminder of the immense global impact that a small group of dedicated individuals can make. In our startup journey at AeroVect, we strive to uphold these ideals every day, aiming to emulate the dynamic and collaborative atmosphere Moore fostered at Intel alongside Andy Grove and Robert Noyce. I am grateful for the tremendous, far-reaching impact that Dr. Moore has had on all of us, and hope to carry these ideals forward as we shape an even brighter future together.

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2016

Austin Wang (Vancouver, Canada)
Project Title: Boosting MFC Biocatalyst Performance: A Novel Gene Identification and Consortia Engineering Approach

How old were you when you won the Gordon E. Moore Award, and what have you been up to since then?

I was 18 years old when I won the Gordon E. Moore Award. I am now 25 years old and two years into a Ph.D. program in computer science at Princeton, where I am doing research on AI and natural language processing (NLP). 

How did winning the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF impact your life and career goals?

It helped prove to myself that anything is possible if you persevere. During college, I decided to pivot from microbiology to computer science. Although I found myself behind and out of my depth on numerous occasions, I pushed through, and now I am doing impactful things that I enjoy. 

How do you believe you are living up to Gordon E.  Moore’s legacy and ideals in your current work or studies?

The way Gordon E. Moore was able to inspire others through this award is something that I try to live up to. Using a portion of the award money, together with the generosity of other alumni donors, I was able to establish a scholarship fund at my high school to offset the cost of student science and community projects. Gordon Moore has also inspired me to give back, not only financially, but also with my time. I have mentored countless high school students since winning the award. For instance, last year, I volunteered to teach an AI and machine learning course in Mysore, India, and this summer I will be teaching NLP to high school students at . With his philanthropy and generosity, Dr. Moore has inspired us to pay it forward, and because of that I truly believe Dr. Moore has made life-changing contributions that extend far beyond those he reached with his award.

+++

2018

Oliver Nicholls (Sydney, Australia)
Project Title: Autonomous Window Cleaning Robot for Commercial High-Rise Buildings
Job Title:

How old were you when you won the Gordon E. Moore Award, and what have you been up to since then?

I was 18 when I won the award in May 2018. Since then, I have completed a Mechatronics Engineering degree with First Class Honors at UNSW Sydney and had my undergraduate thesis published in the Journal of Nuclear Materials. I have also worked at a startup working on window-cleaning robotics (the subject of my ISEF project) for two years before changing jobs to work in embedded software at a medical device company for nearly the last year.

How did winning the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF impact your life and career goals?

With the Gordon E. Moore Award, I was fortunate to have a financial situation where I could focus fully on my university degree, giving it my all every day and allowing me to achieve the results I did. I had been in the process of organizing an international internship in the United States through connections I made with other Gordon E. Moore Award winners along with FIRST Robotics, but unfortunately that fell through because of COVID. The award has also given me publicity and exposure; people could more readily find me online, which helped with a startup I founded and even led to a valuable internship opportunity. Having this award on my resume also helped me get my current job, where I am working on a large complex project.

How do you believe you are living up to Gordon E.  Moore’s legacy and ideals in your current work or studies?

On one level being a Mechatronics and Software engineer is in line with Gordon E. Moore’s legacy in computing. Moore also focused much of his efforts in philanthropy and in making others’ lives better. At ResMed, I work on a team creating software for CPAP and respiratory care devices which drastically improves the lives and health outcomes of those with chronic conditions such as sleep apnea or COPD. This combination I believe is the embodiment of Moore’s legacy, one for which I can be proud.

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2019

Krithik Ramesh (Greenwood Village, Colorado, USA)
Project Title: Utilizing Computer Vision and Machine Learning Systems to Develop a Live Time Navigational and Surgical Aid for Spinal Reconstructions
Job Title: Undergraduate Researcher at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

How old were you when you won the Gordon E. Moore Award, and what have you been up to since then?

I was 16 years old when I won the Gordon E. Moore Award. Now, I attend MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts where I study computer science and molecular biology. Also, since ISEF, I was named to list and Encyclopedia Britannica’s 20 under 40 Change Makers in medicine. I currently work in the Sabeti Lab at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and on computational phylogenetics and CRISPR detection platforms for infectious diseases. I spend my time attempting to better understand biological phenomena through machine learning. I am currently 20 years old and intend to pursue an MD-PhD after graduation.   

How did winning the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF impact your life and career goals?

This was one of the most influential moments of my life. ISEF introduced me to top researchers around the world, some of whom I work for now. At times, I still remember when I won this award, reinforcing my commitment to academia and pursuing a career in research. This award has given me the privilege of working with my scientific heroes, and one day I hope to follow in their footsteps and have my own lab that aims to address pressing issues at the intersection of AI and biology.

How do you believe you are living up to Gordon E.  Moore’s legacy and ideals in your current work or studies?

I strive to embody Dr. Moore’s commitment to scientific innovation and technical progress. I hope that the research I do at MIT and for the rest of my career will end up leading to cures for genetic disorders and preventing the next pandemic. 

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2021

John Benedict Estrada (Fresno, California, USA)
Project Title: Development of a Novel AI Drought-Stress Assessment Model in Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Plants Using a Custom-Built Robotic RGB + Infrared Camera
Currently: Senior at Clovis North High School in Fresno, Davidson Fellow

How old were you when you won the Gordon E. Moore Award, and what have you been up to since then?

I was 16 in 2021 and am now 18. I competed and won this award at ISEF 2022. I have also been awarded the Davidson Fellows Scholarship and the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

How did winning the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF impact your life and career goals?

Winning the Gordon E. Moore Award in 2021 solidified my commitment to making a positive impact in the world. I realized those who take initiative are the individuals who create a positive impact on society. I view this award as not an end, but rather a beginning of a lifelong journey to try to change the world for the better.

How do you believe you are living up to Gordon E.  Moore’s legacy and ideals in your current work or studies?

I have been trying my best to live up to my benefactor’s enduring legacy, especially in the field of computer science. After receiving the award in 2021, I continued with my AI Drought Assessment Model development and successfully conducted a field trial on tomato plants where I demonstrated its practical use, potentially saving 26 billion gallons of water in California alone. This project won me not only the first grand award at ISEF 2022 but also a $25,000 Davidson Fellows Scholarship that I can also use for college, as well as the US Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP). I then represented the USA at the Global SJWP in Sweden where I presented my project to the Crown Princess of Sweden, HRH Princess Victoria.

Despite these awards and accolades, I believed my work was not done, so I continued to study hard in high school and was eventually admitted to Gordon E. Moore’s alma mater in my senior year, the University of California, Berkeley. This year is the first time that UC Berkeley is allowing direct admission into their high-demand programs as a freshman. I am proud to be one of their first direct entrants into the Letters and Sciences computer science major. As one of their top applicants, I was also awarded the Regents and Chancellor’s Scholarship – their highest merit scholarship for incoming freshmen. It was during the orientation of this prestigious scholarship that I saw Gordon E. Moore’s name inscribed in one of the buildings on campus, and that moment truly inspired me, and I felt that it was a sign that I am making a step in the right direction in living up to his legacy and ideals.

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2022

Napassorn Litchiowong (Pleng)
Project Title: BiDEx – A Screening System for Rapid Proactive Detection of Patients With Liver Fluke Infection Using a CNN Model To Detect Orphistorchis viverrini Eggs From Microscopic Fecal Images and a NN Model for Infection Risk Assessment
Job Title: Intern at National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC); Co-Founder BiDEx

How old were you when you won the Gordon E. Moore Award, and what have you been up to since then?

I received the award when I was 17 years old. Since then, my passion for helping my community has led me to develop projects like a video call chatbot that utilized AI techniques to detect depression in teenagers. Now, at 18, I am determined to continue creating projects that embody the spirit of the award, striving to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world.

How did winning the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF impact your life and career goals?

It has had a profound impact on my life and the lives of young people around me. Our project “BiDEx”, aimed at assisting with local diseases in our country, sparked a wave of inspiration among my peers. Students in my school began to develop projects addressing local problems across diverse fields like science, medicine, art, and politics, creating positive change within our community.

This award has fueled my own passion to contribute further to society. The award’s identity has become the guiding mission of my life—to help others. This has influenced my career goals as well. No longer solely focused on technology, I am now determined to study public policy and government. My aim is to harness technology’s potential and advocate for its integration into nationwide systems that will alleviate the suffering of countless people.

How do you believe you are living up to Gordon E.  Moore’s legacy and ideals in your current work or studies?

I endeavor to create solutions that address social issues and improve lives. Alongside my projects, I also plan to pursue college majors that enable me to examine the wider implications of technology and find ways to use it for the greater good. I hope to contribute to a lasting, positive impact on society, aligning with Gordon E. Moore’s vision and values.

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2022

Chris Tidtijumreonpon
Project Title: BiDEx – A Screening System for Rapid Proactive Detection of Patients With Liver Fluke Infection Using a CNN Model To Detect Orphistorchis viverrini Eggs From Microscopic Fecal Images and a NN Model for Infection Risk Assessment
Currently: Studying Chinese at the University of Chengdu and, Co-Founder BiDEx

How old were you when you won the Gordon E. Moore Award, and what have you been up to since then? How old are you now?

I was 16 years old when I won the Gordon E. Moore Award and am 17 now. When my team received the Gordon E. Moore Award, we were still in 12th grade, so after the competition we mainly prepared for college admissions. After we graduated near the end of February, (Thailand’s curriculum schedule is a little different from the U.S.) we all went our separate ways. I came to study Chinese in Chengdu University’s language course to prepare to study in a Chinese university. 

How did winning the Gordon E. Moore Award at ISEF impact your life and career goals?

Winning the Gordon E. Moore Award opened up many more opportunities for me university-wise. This award gave me more confidence in my ability to learn and do things, knowing that if I try hard enough, I can solve all problems which I face. It also gave me a better understanding about myself to choose the right career path that I am certain will suit me. 

How do you believe you are living up to Gordon E. Moore’s legacy and ideals in your current work or studies?

I am currently working to improve my abilities in order to help the people of the world, similar to the project I made. I know that the world is not perfect, so there will always be problems no matter how much they are solved, but I just wish to solve at least one of these problems whether big or small.

Discover the incredible innovation and scientific brilliance at this year’s Regeneron ISEF in Dallas, Texas! Explore all the finalists’ projects at  and catch the Grand Awards Ceremony on May 19 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT, where the winner of the top awards will be announced, including this year’s Gordon E. Moore Award winner: . Can’t watch live? Catch it on-demand on YouTube. Join us in celebrating the next generation of scientists and engineers as they tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues!

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We had a chance to catch up with Sidney and learn about his experience in the international spotlight and his dreams for his future.

What inspired your project at ISEF?

I enjoyed computer science and biology, so bioinformatics seemed like a natural fit for me. ISEF gave me an avenue to showcase my project in a computational biology and bioinformatics category specifically, as, in my experience, most other science fairs I competed only had computer science or biology categories. My ISEF experience gave me deeper insight into the breadth of research opportunities available and the other research projects my peers had undertaken. In college, I investigated doing research with professors in a variety of different specialties and would remember a similar project of a field being presented at ISEF.

You’ve competed in two large-scale events: ISEF and the 2022 Winter Olympics. Would you say there’s any comparison between the two competitions?

On one hand, the participants at ISEF were so much younger and the fair didn’t last as long as the Olympics. However, there were so many similarities!

In both ISEF and the Olympics, so many people from so many different walks of life come together to celebrate the same thing. In both ISEF and the Olympics, there was a prevailing sense of friendship and unity. Even on judging day, everybody would be super supportive of new friends and “teammates” and interact with the local audience. I remember that ISEF had plenty of fun games and activities for participants (including a digital gaming room if I remember correctly) –– it was cool how the Olympics had that, too! I met so many interesting people and made plenty of new friends at both ISEF and the Olympics!

You faced a serious injury in 2017, what helped you persevere through that and push you toward reaching the Olympics?

My injury in 2017 temporarily set me back from my Olympic dream. I was very lucky to have a coach who experienced a similar injury and had a similar time constraint for recovery; having her as a role model and being able to reach out to her for advice made my recovery smooth. Having a supportive team and social circle really helped me to push through for another four years!

Who inspires you in your pursuit of science and in sports?

Someone who has inspired me in science is , the American virologist! Although it’s almost a cliché answer, his dedication to the wellbeing of humanity and his disregard for personal gain and/or profit, is admirable and inspiring.

In sports, I would say ! He is a five-time Olympic medalist, multiple world and Olympic record breaker, and a surgeon! He showed me that pursuing a career in science and medicine is not mutually exclusive with accomplishing great things in the sporting world.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self, if you could?

Enjoy every moment and don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers from time to time. For a lot of us science “geeks,” it’s easy to get so absorbed into one’s own research and daily agenda that we forget to be present in the moment, meet new friends and have fun!

What are your next steps, in terms of speed skating and scientific research?

Currently waiting to hear back from medical school applications! I am planning on continuing speed skating less competitively and continuing my interests in medicine and public health!

Tune in to the Society’s YouTube page on May 9 to watch the Regeneron ISEF and on May 13 to watch the .

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This Earth Day, we had a chance to catch up with some 91���� alumni who are leading the way towards keeping our planet green.

’s (ISEF 1996) chemistry lab at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor concentrates on renewable energy. His lab focuses on developing robust catalysts capable of transforming solar energy into chemical fuels and making battery material out of more abundant elements like magnesium. We asked Bart what excites him most about renewable energy. He says, “I’m most excited that young scientists of diverse��backgrounds remain passionate and resolute about the need to address renewable energy from every angle — whether it be fundamental research, translating that research to the marketplace and our communities, and/or explaining the importance of pursuing��renewables to society at large.” For more information about renewable energy, Bart recommends ��and , saying they have “amazing descriptions of positive impacts that come at the intersection of energy and climate.”

(STS 2011, ISEF 2011) is the Head of Environmental Justice, Employee Engagement, and Ecosystems at . Bonnie says it’s incredibly important for companies to be transparent about their sustainability journeys. “We recognized that being open was the best way we can help other companies and organizations on their own paths to be more sustainable,” she shared. “I am incredibly excited about the scale of positive impact that is possible by helping direct the skills and resources of a leading company like Microsoft towards the climate crisis.” Bonnie says her curiosity and scientific training from her experience as a conservation biologist fuels her work at Microsoft.

Broadcom MASTERS 2021 alumni, and , kept the environment in mind when working on their research projects. Hailey used her passion for climatology to analyze five different scenarios of carbon dioxide’s effects on oceanic ecosystems. Her model showed that if current trends in carbon dioxide emissions continue, oxygen levels in more than half the world’s oceans could fall to dangerously low levels by the year 2150, worsening ocean acidity levels. In addition to climatology, Hailey is interested in food science. She hopes to study the future of lab-produced meats and the potential impact that can have on climate change.

Joseph measured the toxicity of six different liquids used to clean and maintain vehicles. Using brine shrimp, he tested each liquid at seven concentrations and found that a car wash detergent claiming to be eco-friendly was the most toxic of those tested. This raised concerns since many car washing products drain into storm drains and enter waterways. Joseph enjoys searching for endangered reptiles and removing invasive plant and fish species. He hopes to study venoms and develop an anti-venom to treat bites from various snake species.

and (STS 2022) focused their research projects on improving life for animals and plants.  After watching the documentary, “,” Elijah realized that the effects of climate change on animals was not widely studied. Reading several articles about saltwater acidification, but finding none about freshwater acidification, he was inspired. In his research project, Elijah simulated changing carbon dioxide conditions, then measured the growth rate and respiration of freshwater clams. He found the more acidic the water, the more difficult it was for the clams to build their shells, therefore reducing their body mass. Elijah hopes his findings will highlight the urgent need for more studies of climate change’s effects on freshwater ecosystems.

Krystal’s research aimed to find a solution to harsh fertilizers. She identified bacteria which can produce phosphorous, an essential plant nutrient. As opposed to fertilizers that can get trapped in soil, phosphorous is more naturally available to plants. Isolating several strains of the bacteria, Krystal used genetic sequencing to find which strains were most effective at increasing water-soluble phosphorous, making it usable for plants. Her research could help reduce the need for inorganic phosphorus fertilizers, which can enter and pollute local waters.

If you’re interested in doing more to protect the earth, consider learning about recycling programs where you live, switching to reusable shopping bags, picking up and throwing away litter, or even planting a tree native to your region. You can also read up on the latest Earth news over at .

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Michelle’s winning project was initiated by both her affinity and enthusiasm for computer science, but also her desire to improve her form in a sport she loves — rhythmic gymnastics. Merging elements from gymnastics, dance and calisthenics, rhythmic gymnastics involves intricate moves using apparatus such as hoops, balls or ribbons. To help her train during COVID-19, since in-person coaching was not possible, Michelle and a novel deep learning framework to call her out when her form was off. “Feedback from the app helps users correct their position to prevent any exercise-related injury,” Michelle says.

In the coming year, Michelle plans to continue doing computer science research and applying artificial intelligence to more real-world applications. She says, “As a competitive rhythmic gymnast for nearly ten years, I plan to continue competing and improving in the sport I love. Specifically, I am planning on improving the coaching app that I integrated my action recognition algorithm in.” She would like to add more exercises to her app, expanding her tech to coaching for other sports, including golf swing, pitching and batting in baseball and kicking in soccer. Let’s hear more from Michelle below!

What was the most interesting part of having ISEF be a virtual event?

For me, the most interesting part of having to interact with other finalists! Upon entering Event Farm for the first time, I was excited to see so many people online and interested in learning about each other’s projects!

What was your favorite or most memorable experience from virtual ISEF? And why?

My favorite memory from virtual ISEF was watching the virtual Grand Award Ceremony because all the ISEF finalists from Michigan gathered for the first time in person at a movie theater to watch it. Everyone was extremely supportive of each other. When one of our names was called as an award winner, there would be endless cheering and clapping. I am super glad to be part of such an amazing group of people that went through virtual ISEF this year!

Which sci-fi advancement do you wish we had by now?

I wish that we would have portals to teleport us wherever we would like to go! Ever since I was young, road trips have always been my nightmare. Being cramped in the backseat of the car with no Wi-Fi does not sound like the best start to a vacation — for me at least. But, if portals were invented, in a quick snap of the fingers, we could teleport to any location we wished! Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, portals could reduce the contact that we have with other passengers.

Which scientist – alive or deceased – would you want to solve scientific mysteries with and why?

I would love to work and solve scientific mysteries with Yann LeCun, the first to introduce the idea of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). Since my action recognition algorithm is inspired and based on CNNs, I would love to work with the inventor of CNNs themselves!

What would you invent if you had all the resources in the world?

If I had all the resources in the world, I would want to invent a device that can help recall memories (something like a Pensieve for all the Harry Potter fans out there). From fond memories to long mathematical equations, this memory-storing device can encapsulate anything! Imagine never having to flip through thousands of textbook pages to find the one concept you are looking for; a quick look into your memories could get the job done efficiently and a lot less stressfully!

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Nathan Wang (ISEF 2019), a current first-year student studying biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University, can tell you about his experience doing just that. This past December, Nathan worked to get a bill calling for the creation of high school artificial intelligence (AI) curricula passed. He proposed and helped write this bill which became law as part of the 2021 . Nathan’s ISEF experience motivated him to pursue this process and his efforts caught the attention of his local , and in Albany, New York.

We recently caught up with Nathan to learn more.

Can you briefly recount how the bill you drafted ended up in front of Representative Tonko and how you later collaborated with his legislative team?

During the summer of 2019, I was selected from out of the 20,000 annual Boys State participants to be one of the 100 senators to simulate government in Washington, D.C. for a week. Activities included mock senate sessions, hearing the story of a North Korean refugee and meeting Vice President Mike Pence for a Q&A session. We also had the opportunity to visit our members of Congress. On “Hill Day,” I pitched my bill to Rep. Tonko’s office and have been working with his team since. 

Did you have previous experience writing legislation? Was there anyone who you consulted for help?

This was my first experience writing legislation. Fortunately, all bills introduced in Congress are free to view online. I read several examples involving 91���� education to get a feel for legislative language before starting on my own. I have minimal knowledge of regulations around funding, but my bill was more of a disguised policy proposal. My intent was always to first propose this idea to the Congressman and then work on the finer details with his team. 

Why is AI (or 91���� fields in general) important for K-12 education? What drew you to AI?

For me, the allure of math and science has always been the promise of doing amazing things with them. However, as I took more challenging classes, I didn’t feel any better equipped to tackle real problems. My experience in an AI research lab completely revolutionized my problem-solving perspective. AI was intuitive to learn, incredibly powerful and surprisingly versatile. Creative solutions and thinking require a diverse set of tools, and for a high schooler, no toolbox fills this need better than AI. I hope the curriculum produced through this bill will inspire the next generation of students to not only develop the necessary skills to maintain our country’s innovative edge, but also with an understanding of how advanced science interplays with important technologies. 

Any advice you have for your peers who also want to advocate for expanding 91���� education, but are unsure where they can start?

You can’t successfully advocate for something you picked up overnight. The idea for my bill developed over two years, during which I was actively involved in AI research. While in the process of writing my bill, I met with , one of the earliest originators of the Semantic Web. He had previously advised the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, yet to my surprise, he explained that I likely had a bigger influence on AI education than he did. He explained that “no one cares” if he as a computer scientist were to advocate for AI education, but it would be rare and interesting for a high school student to do so. Because of his advice, I brought my unique perspective as a high school student when contacting Rep. Tonko.

Advocate for something you are knowledgeable in and have identified a need for it. When seeking advice, know that a well-written email will open many doors. Most importantly, remember that if you want people to listen to you, you must have a unique perspective.  

What are your future plans? Would you be interested in pursuing a career in public service?

I believe public service is only meaningful if you can bring expertise in a different field to office, so before I even consider any elected position, my primary focus is on developing a career in research. Specifically, I am excited about uncovering the neural mechanisms that can inspire the next generation of AI algorithms. Neural networks, currently one of the most popular forms of AI, have produced incredible results in virtually every scientific discipline. Over the next three and a half years as a biomedical engineering major at Johns Hopkins, I hope to establish a strong foundation in biology and engineering that will uniquely position me to discover the numerous subtleties that lie at the intersections of these fields. 

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Originally from Nashua, New Hampshire, the 21-year old rising Senior ventured nearly 3,200 miles away from home to pursue her undergraduate degree at Stanford University. During the quarantine, Mary finds herself back again on the east coast with her family. But the drastic move and being confined to her room hasn’t stopped her from taking on new projects. Actually, quite the opposite, Mary is occupied with her work as a Software Development Engineering intern at Amazon and is on calls running her nonprofit, , a mobile web app development organization boasting esteemed clients such as UNICEF, the World Health Organization, World Bank, the Smithsonian Institution and The Nature Conservancy. Albeit, she’s not all work and no play – when there’s down times, Mary enjoys organizing surprise Zoom birthday parties for friends and dances the night away at virtual electronic dance sets. Hear more from Mary below!

How are you keeping busy during the COVID-19 world crisis?

After being sent home from college in March, I initially struggled to find a way to use my free time for something both productive and meaningful. Realizing that many other college students were in a similar position, I cofounded a nonprofit called with a fellow Stanford student, Amay Aggarwal. The organization strives to empower the next generation of student leaders to use technology for social good by developing digital tools pro bono for nonprofit organizations.

We partner with nonprofits in the hopes of eliminating the need for expensive outsourcing and easing the load on in-house development teams. At the same time, we source student volunteers who are driven by a desire to dedicate their tech skills to social good, and are also looking to gain real-world experience in coding and development. For example, some of our student developers are currently developing in-house tools that save our clients over $20,000 a year in subscription fees, while others are improving applications with millions of users across 60+ different countries.

Have you participated in any relief efforts during the pandemic?

We’ve participated in several different COVID-19 relief efforts through Develop for Good. One of our teams of talented student developers is currently creating a mobile app from scratch for the San Diego branch of the Ronald McDonald House Charities. This group serves the families of hospitalized children by providing meals and housing in close proximity to their children at little to no cost. The need for this app is motivated by the devastating effects COVID-19 has had in the area, and will allow for the contactless transfer of resources, information and house check-in functionalities for the over 50,000 families served annually by the organization. 

Are you working on any projects? If so, what are they?

Since entering college, I’ve continued to further refine my STS project, Impact of Carbon Tax Policies on the Global Agricultural Economy: A Computational Spatial Partial Equilibrium Modeling Approach. This research was initially inspired by the policy proposals of 2016 Presidential candidates and the global conversation regarding the Paris Climate Agreement. For this project, I developed a computational model that projects the impacts of carbon taxes on the international agricultural market, spanning 17 countries/regions and 11 commodities. 

Despite everything else that has been going on in the world, climate change has not been put on pause, and is still worsening day by day. The issue of whether to implement stringent carbon emission policies has become especially relevant as the 2020 Presidential Election approaches, with Presidential candidate Joe Biden proposing a $2 trillion plan to combat climate change. The most updated version of my research can be found on the 2019 edition of the Harvard College Economics Review. 

Do you have any tips or suggestions for others who have recently been impacted by the coronavirus?

To high school and college-aged students who are fortunate enough to be comfortably quarantined at home – take this period of excess down time to either explore the breadth of your interests, or to dive as deeply into one as you can possibly go. I’m particularly fond of the following quote by Louis C.K., as being “bored” has been one of the most prevalently shared emotions over the past several months: “‘I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say ‘I’m bored.’”  

How do think the textbooks will describe this point in history?

2020 has undoubtedly been a pivotal year, with impacts felt by individuals all over the world. With a global pandemic, increasing international tensions, protests in the face of racial and social injustice, and a spiraling economy, the year has consisted of a combination of challenges unlike anything experienced in recent history. However, despite the horrors of these difficulties, they have also stimulated initiatives leading to technological innovation, as well as movements resetting social norms and affecting cultural change. I believe the greater things that result from this point in time will be the focus of what will be described in future textbooks. 

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