2024 ISEF Winners

Regeneron ISEF 2024 Texas Special Award Winners

Air Force Research Laboratory on behalf of the United States Air Force

The Air Force Research Laboratory is a global technical enterprise, boasting some of the best and brightest leaders in the world. We are Revolutionary, Relevant, and Responsive to the Warfighter. We defend America by unleashing the unconquerable power of scientific and technical innovation. Our mission is leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force.

First Award of $750 in each Regeneron ISEF Category,

• BEHA005 — Mathematical Analysis of Preparatory Neural Activity to Predict Physical Behavior in Motor Sequences | Ria Garg, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Frisco, TX, United States of America

Glass trophy and USAF medal for each recipient

• BEHA005 — Mathematical Analysis of Preparatory Neural Activity to Predict Physical Behavior in Motor Sequences | Ria Garg, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Frisco, TX, United States of America

The University of Texas at Dallas

As one of the nation’s fastest growing research public universities, The University of Texas at Dallas is a Carnegie R1 doctoral classification university of very high research activity established by the founders of Texas Instruments. With nearly 31,000 students from over 100 different countries, UT Dallas offers top-ranked programs in the arts and sciences, engineering and management with a commitment to graduating well-rounded members of the global community whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world.

Scholarship awards of $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years

• PHYS014 — Reinforcement Learning Based Kinematic Controller and Proportional-Integrative-Derivative Based Dynamic Controller for Soft Robots | Anirudh Mazumder, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Euless, TX, United States of America

Air Force Research Laboratory on behalf of the United States Air Force

The Air Force Research Laboratory is a global technical enterprise, boasting some of the best and brightest leaders in the world. We are Revolutionary, Relevant, and Responsive to the Warfighter. We defend America by unleashing the unconquerable power of scientific and technical innovation. Our mission is leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force.

• BEHA005 — Mathematical Analysis of Preparatory Neural Activity to Predict Physical Behavior in Motor Sequences | Ria Garg, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Frisco, TX, United States of America

Glass trophy and USAF medal for each recipient

• BEHA005 — Mathematical Analysis of Preparatory Neural Activity to Predict Physical Behavior in Motor Sequences | Ria Garg, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Frisco, TX, United States of America

American Chemical Society

The American Chemical Society Education Division promotes excellence in science education and science literacy through a number of activities supporting teachers and learners of chemistry. Through its participation in Regeneron ISEF, ACS encourages and supports high school students in their exploration of the chemical sciences through research experiences.

Second Award of $3,000

• CHEM012 — Chemical Modification of Acetaminophen to Decrease Liver Toxicity | Chloe Yehwon Lee, Plano East Senior High School, Murphy, TX, United States of America

American Mathematical Society

The American Mathematical Society was founded in 1888, to further the interests of mathematical research & scholarship, as well as to serve the national/international community through its publications, meetings, advocacy & other programs. Friends and family of the late mathematician, Karl Menger, contribute to a fund in his memory, to be distributed by the AMS for annual awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

Second Award of $1,000

• MATH002 — Symmetry, Fixed Points and Quantum Billiards: A Confluence of Ideas | Anna Oliva, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, TX, United States of America

One-Year Membership to American Mathematical Society to each winner (7 winning projects, up to 3 team members per project)

• MATH002 — Symmetry, Fixed Points and Quantum Billiards: A Confluence of Ideas | Anna Oliva, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, TX, United States of America

Arizona State University ISEF Scholarship (valued at up to $58,000 each)

• ENEV055T — Sensor-Assisted, Noninvasive Monitoring for Operational, Investigative and Predictive Hive Health Management for Honeybee Colonies – Sustainable Bee Keeping | Naithruv Kashyap, Westwood High School, Austin, TX, United States of America | Suchir Kumar, Westwood High School, Austin, TX, United States of America

Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT)

The Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT) is a not-for-profit, corporate member-supported, and volunteer-led global business development association for companies engaged in the Bio/Pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain.

DCAT First Prize

• BMED006 — Preclinical Investigation to Develop Anti-Platelet and Cholesterol-Lowering Agent for Prevention and Treatment of Stroke | Sharmada Palakurthi, W.B. Ray High School, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America

Long Island University

Long Island University, with two campuses in Brooklyn and Brookville, NY, is in the top 7% of universities with high research activity nationally recognized by the Carnegie Classification. Dassault Systemes designated LIU as the world’s first Center of Excellence in Life Sciences & Research with high societal impact in the fields of precision medicine, pharmaceutical sciences and health care in the digital age. LIU offers majors like Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Veterinary Technology, Biomedical Science, Health Care Administration, Nursing, and more. For more information, visit liu.edu.

Presidential Scholarships

• ANIM008 — Why Is the Mare Acting Like a Stallion?: Novel Test to Diagnose Granulosa Cell Tumor | Melina Esha Kumar, Clear Lake High School, Houston, TX, United States of America
• LNT031 — Aqua-Arsenic Remediation: Analysis of the Oryza sativa metagenome and Wet-Lab Approach to increase O. sativa Tolerance to Drought and Arsenic Through Hyper Expression of Aquaporin OsNIP2;1, OsNIP3;2, OsPIP2;2 genes (Year IV) | Prisha Bhat, Plano East Senior High School, Richardson, TX, United States of America
• TMED042 — An Investigation of the Combination of Y15 and Metformin for the Treatment of Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer | Isabela Lucero Mendez, Brownsville Early College High School, Brownsville, TX, United States of America

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. Founded in 1958, NASA drives advances in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth. NASA inspires the world through discovery.

3rd Prize

• ETSD008 — Modelling Lunar Drivetrain Technology Through the Design of a Differential Swerve Drive | Sumana Subramanian, Clear Brook High School, Houston, TX, United States of America

Taking the Pulse of the Planet First Award

• EAEV062T — Acoustic Filtration: Harnessing Ultrasonic Technology for the Streamlined Removal of Microplastic Particles From Water Flow | Justin Yizhou Huang, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America | Victoria Ou, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

National Security Agency Research Directorate

The NSA Research Directorate is one of the most established research organizations in the U.S. Intelligence Community. As a world leader in science and technology, Research engages with leading industries, universities, and national laboratories to both advance core competencies and to leverage work in overlapping disciplines. The ISEF Special Awards recognize exceptional research that demonstrates world-class skills in mathematics, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, physics, and neuroscience while promoting research that can assure and protect cyberspace.

First Place Award Material Science

• MATS030T — Engineering a Greener Future: A Novel, Biodegradable, Self-Powered, Chitosan-Based Food Packaging Material | Grace Yuan, College Park High School, Spring, TX, United States of America | Nikita Catherine D’Souza, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Patent and Trademark Office Society

The PTOS is a membership-based organization for Patent and Trademark professionals and other interested individuals. From its inception in 1917, the Society has been dedicated to the improvement and appreciation of the United States Patent and Trademark Systems through promoting the systems’ growth and well-being, as well as promoting the social and intellectual welfare of the Society members.

A flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol will be given to the top winner of this Special Award.

• CHEM012 — Chemical Modification of Acetaminophen to Decrease Liver Toxicity | Chloe Yehwon Lee, Plano East Senior High School, Murphy, TX, United States of America

Top Award of $1,000, and an American flag and a framed copy of the first patent granted in the USA

• CHEM012 — Chemical Modification of Acetaminophen to Decrease Liver Toxicity | Chloe Yehwon Lee, Plano East Senior High School, Murphy, TX, United States of America

Second Award of $500

• PHYS012 — Development and Demonstration of a Low-Cost Strip-PET Scanner Prototype | Samikshya Mahapatra, College Station High School, College Station, TX, United States of America

The University of Texas at Dallas

As one of the nation’s fastest growing research public universities, The University of Texas at Dallas is a Carnegie R1 doctoral classification university of very high research activity established by the founders of Texas Instruments. With nearly 31,000 students from over 100 different countries, UT Dallas offers top-ranked programs in the arts and sciences, engineering and management with a commitment to graduating well-rounded members of the global community whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world.

Scholarship awards of $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years

• CELL036 — Tinted Truths: Revealing the Relationship Between Tartrazine and the Dysregulation of Retrotransposons and p53 Expression in Drosophila melanogaster | Manya Gummaraju, Plano East Senior High School, Plano, TX, United States of America
• CHEM012 — Chemical Modification of Acetaminophen to Decrease Liver Toxicity | Chloe Yehwon Lee, Plano East Senior High School, Murphy, TX, United States of America
• EAEV062T — Acoustic Filtration: Harnessing Ultrasonic Technology for the Streamlined Removal of Microplastic Particles From Water Flow | Justin Yizhou Huang, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America | Victoria Ou, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America
• EBED014 — SkyCatcher: An Annular-Structured UAV for Enhanced Grasping and Delivery Solutions | Zijun Xu, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin, TX, United States of America
• MATH002 — Symmetry, Fixed Points and Quantum Billiards: A Confluence of Ideas | Anna Oliva, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, TX, United States of America
• MATS017 — Colorimetric Smart Packaging System: A Carbohydrate-Based Plastic Alternative for Detecting Food Spoilage | Cuauhtemoc Zamora, Veterans Memorial High School, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America
• PHYS011 — Investigating the Use of Parallel Computing With Quantum Computers | Jesse Daniel Miller, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America
• PHYS014 — Reinforcement Learning Based Kinematic Controller and Proportional-Integrative-Derivative Based Dynamic Controller for Soft Robots | Anirudh Mazumder, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Euless, TX, United States of America
• PLNT031 — Aqua-Arsenic Remediation: Analysis of the Oryza sativa metagenome and Wet-Lab Approach to increase O. sativa Tolerance to Drought and Arsenic Through Hyper Expression of Aquaporin OsNIP2;1, OsNIP3;2, OsPIP2;2 genes (Year IV) | Prisha Bhat, Plano East Senior High School, Richardson, TX, United States of America
• ROBO013 — GaitGuardian: Real-Time Freezing of Gait Prediction and Progression Analysis for Parkinson’s Disease | Viren Rayappa Bankapur, Independence High School, Frisco, TX, United States of America
• TMED007 — Utilizing Indocyanine Green and Sodium Alginate With Microsphere Drug Delivery and Infrared Imaging: A Model to Create More Accessible Therapeutic and Diagnostic Tools for Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer | Rashmi Rani Basu, Keystone School, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
• TMED012 — Selection and Preclinical Testing of DNA Aptamers as Targeted Tau Therapies: A Novel Approach to Slow the Progression of Tauopathies | Maya Reddy, Leander High School, Leander, TX, United States of America

U.S. Agency for International Development

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the government agency that helps people create better futures for themselves – no matter what country they live in. USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance. USAID is leveraging the promise of innovation, technology and research to bring about positive change and solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Second Award Education and Youth

• BEHA032 — Prevention of Gun Violence Through the Buffering Effects of Intellectual Humility in Traumatized Psychopaths | Maya Shah, Martin STEM School, Arlington, TX, United States of America

YM American Academy

YM American Academy (YMAA) is a leading education consulting organization, dedicated to help US and Chinese students apply to US universities, graduate schools and high schools. We are focusing on the student’s life growth through our comprehensive service and guidance. YM American Academy (YMAA) is pleased to award outstanding projects that display outstanding creativity, ingenuity in science and engineering, focusing on all areas in chemistry sciences.

Third Award of $500.00

• CHEM012 — Chemical Modification of Acetaminophen to Decrease Liver Toxicity | Chloe Yehwon Lee, Plano East Senior High School, Murphy, TX, United States of America