Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Society for Science proudly announced the winners of the 75th Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition. The event brought together nearly 1,700 young innovators from 48 U.S. states and over 60 countries and regions, distributing more than $9 million in awards.
Adam Kovalčík, 19, of Dulovce, Slovakia, earned the top honor — the $100,000 George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award — for a groundbreaking new process to synthesize the antiviral drug galidesivir. His method uses inexpensive materials from corn husk waste to streamline production, reducing the process from 15 to 10 steps and slashing costs from $75 to just $12.50 per gram. He also developed a novel antiviral compound that may outperform galidesivir, promising more accessible treatments for viral infections worldwide.
Other major awards include:
Regeneron Young Scientist Awards ($75,000 each):
- Benjamin Davis, 16, of Wrentham, MA: Created a low-cost, efficient desktop recycling system that turns 3D printer waste into usable filament, outperforming current home systems by 45%.
- Siyaa Poddar, 16, of Chandler, AZ: Developed affordable chemical sensors to detect airborne silica and uranium dust, addressing environmental health issues near abandoned mines in the U.S. Southwest.
Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations ($50,000):
- Samuel Skotnikov (17), Chanyoung Kim (16), and Eeshaan Prashanth (16), all of Texas: Designed Neuroflex, a brain-controlled bionic prosthetic leg. Using EEG signals and realistic joint mechanics, it achieved 98% motion accuracy in tests with a real user.
Other Top Awards ($10,000 each):
- Craig R. Barrett Award for Innovation: XinYan Chen, 17, CA – Invented a mobile detector that neutralizes and monitors formaldehyde indoors.
- H. Robert Horvitz Prize for Fundamental Research: Aleksandra Petkova, 18, Bulgaria – Developed a model to optimize ship speed by analyzing wake patterns.
- Peggy Scripps Award for Science Communication: Cory Seelenfreund, 17, NY – Studied how memory impacts outcomes in the Prisoner’s Dilemma, with implications for AI behavior design.
- Mary Sue Coleman Award for Life Science Innovation & Impact: Uma Sthanu, 17, TX – Explored the role of PGE2 in repairing damaged neurons, contributing to potential therapies for brain injuries and diseases.
International and EU Representation:
- Dudley R. Herschbach SIYSS Award: Pragathi Kasani-Akula (GA), Aarushi Pandey (TX), and Vrishank Chandrasekhar (CA) will attend Nobel Week in Stockholm.
- EU Contest for Young Scientists Award: Ethan Yan (MA) and Abigail Qi (LA) will represent the U.S. at the European competition in Latvia this September.
Category Winners (First Award, $6,000 each):
The competition awarded First Place in 22 categories, including:
- Animal Sciences: Matthew Lo, PA
- Biochemistry: Pragathi Kasani-Akula, GA
- Biomedical Engineering: Kim, Prashanth, and Skotnikov, TX
- Chemistry: Adam Kovalčík, Slovakia
- Engineering Tech (Statics/Dynamics): Benjamin Davis, MA
- Environmental Engineering: XinYan Chen, CA
- Materials Science: Siyaa Poddar, AZ
- Mathematics: Cory Seelenfreund, NY
- Physics and Astronomy: Aleksandra Petkova, Bulgaria
- …and many more across diverse disciplines like robotics, software, plant sciences, and behavioral studies.
Celebrating 75 Years of Innovation
This milestone year marks Regeneron ISEF’s 75th anniversary, celebrating decades of global collaboration and scientific achievement. “Adam’s work on antiviral production is a beacon of hope for global health,” said Maya Ajmera, President of Society for Science. George D. Yancopoulos, co-founder of Regeneron and namesake of the top prize, added, “These students are pushing the boundaries of science, just as I hoped to do when I was their age.”
Since 2020, Regeneron has engaged over 3.2 million students in STEM education — surpassing its initial 2025 goal.
About the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), a program of Society for Science celebrating 75 years, is the world’s largest global science competition for high school students. Through a global network of local, regional and national science fairs, millions of students are encouraged to explore their passion for scientific inquiry. Each spring, a group of these students is selected as finalists and offered the opportunity to compete for approximately U.S. $9 million in awards and scholarships.
In 2019, Regeneron became the title sponsor of ISEF to help reward and celebrate the best and brightest young minds globally and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM to positively impact the world. Regeneron ISEF is supported by a community of additional sponsors, Adam R. Scripps Foundation, Akamai Foundation, Aramco, Arc Institute, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Howmet Aerospace Foundation, HP, Insaco, Intel, Jacobs, Jane Street, Liquid AI, Microsoft, Midjourney, Schattner Foundation, Siemens Energy, The Ohio State University, Battelle, Caltech, Cesco, Cisco, COSI, GoFundMe, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, JobsOhio, Johnson Energy Holdings. Many are entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries. Learn more at https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/.
About Society for Science
Society for Science is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, Society for Science is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM Outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).
About Regeneron
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous approved treatments and product candidates in development, most of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron believes that operating as a good corporate citizen is crucial to delivering on our mission. We approach corporate responsibility with three goals in mind: to improve the lives of people with serious disease, to foster a culture of integrity and excellence and to build sustainable communities. Regeneron is proud to be included on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the Civic 50 list of the most “community-minded” companies in the U.S. Throughout the year, Regeneron empowers and supports employees to give back through our volunteering, pro-bono and matching gift programs. Our most significant philanthropic commitments are in the area of science education, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
