Congratulations to our Texas Students who participated at ISEF 2025. As a whole, they won $221,800 in prizes.
Regeneron ISEF Top Award Winners
NeuroFlex: A Cost-Effective, Non-Invasive EEG-Controlled Bionic Prosthesis for Transfemoral Amputees, received the $50,000 Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations, for creating a brain-controlled bionic prosthetic leg. Current robotic limbs are expensive and can make movements feel unnatural. The team started by measuring the walking motion of their classmate, Aiden, with his usual prosthetic leg. They saw that the prosthetic’s stiffness forced the remaining part of his amputated leg to work much harder than his other leg. They designed their prosthetic leg, Neuroflex, to read the wearer’s brain signals through an EEG headband. The signals tell Neuroflex how the wearer wants to move, and Neuroflex uses its motors to support that movement. They also designed an ankle with more realistic joints. When the team tested their prototype on Aiden, it guessed the right movement 98% of the time. Their adaptable model could also relieve some of the cost burden of prosthetic limbs.
Paving the Path to the Impossible: Regenerating Neurons Using Prostaglandin E2 Regulation as a Therapeutic Strategy, received the $10,000 Mary Sue Coleman Award for Life Science Innovation & Impact for research on regenerating nerve cells. The neurons making up the human brain are powerful but fragile. Disease and injury can damage neurons and scientists have not yet found a way to regrow them. The student studied the effects of an important hormone-like compound called PGE2 on damaged brain cells. She used advanced techniques to study how PGE2 treatment affects these broken neurons in the lab. The student hopes this work will help researchers find better treatments for brain diseases and traumatic brain injuries.
Examining the Synergistic Effects of Hydrotropism, Magnetotropism, and Simulated Microgravity on Allium fistulosum Morphology Using a Novel 3D Clinostat won the Dudley R. Herschbach SIYSS Award, which provides finalists an all-expense-paid trip to attend the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar during Nobel Week in Stockholm, Sweden.
First Award Winners
The following lists the First Award winners for each of the 22 categories, from which the Top Awards were chosen:
Biomedical and Health Sciences, sponsored by Regeneron
- Paving the Path to the Impossible: Regenerating Neurons Using Prostaglandin E2 Regulation as a Therapeutic Strategy
Biomedical Engineering, sponsored by Regeneron
- NeuroFlex: A Cost-Effective, Non-Invasive EEG-Controlled Bionic Prosthesis for Transfemoral Amputees
Plant Sciences, sponsored by Society for Science
- Examining the Synergistic Effects of Hydrotropism, Magnetotropism, and Simulated Microgravity on Allium fistulosum Morphology Using a Novel 3D Clinostat
Additional Award Winners in each of the 22 categories
Animal Sciences – Third Place
- Utilizing Ants to Mitigate MSW Landfill-Generated Methane Production Through Novel Aerobic Digester System for Anthropogenic Food Waste Decomposition
Animal Sciences – Fourth Place
- Year II: Assessing Marine Bivalves as Novel Invertebrate Models for Targeting Anti-apoptotic BCL-2 Family Proteins in Blood Cancer: The in vivo Effects of Ursolic Acid and Gossypol Acetic Acid on Tumor Cells in Mercenaria mercenaria
Behavioral and Social Sciences – Third Place
- A Children’s Book About the Union-Closed Sets Conjecture
Biochemistry – Third Place
- One Blood Drop to New Hope: A Novel Test Method to Improve Fertility Assessment
Biomedical and Health Sciences – Second Place
- Assembling Multifunctional Drug Capsules from Safe and Accessible Materials for Selective Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis: Synergizing Fluorescent and Iron-Based Magnetic Therapy.
Biomedical and Health Sciences – Fourth Place
- Optimizing Liver Transplant Success: A Data-Driven Approach Incorporating MELD for Accurate Survival Prediction and Equitable Organ Allocation
Biomedical Engineering – Fourth Place
- Wearable, High Sensitivity Bio-Transistor for the Detection of Lactate in Sweat (Year II)
Chemistry – Second Place
- Devising Metal-Organic Framework Technology for Scalable Direct Air Capture of CO₂
Chemistry – Third Place
- Improving Alkaline Electrolyzers: The Role of Forced Convection in Hydrogen Generation
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics – Third Place
- AI-Driven Drug Discovery: Designing Cancer-Inhibiting Molecules with Genetic Algorithms
Computational Biology and Bioinformatics – Fourth Place
- The Utilization of Deep Learning Based Universal Gene Function Prediction to Identify Gene Synergy to Further Predict Drug Synergy
Earth and Environmental Sciences – Fourth Place
- A Novel Approach to Measuring the Impact of Thawing Permafrost on Carbon Emissions Using Remote Sensing
Embedded Systems – Third Place
- SubArc: An Inexpensive, High Resolution, Open Source, Absolute Magnetic Rotary Encoder
Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics – Third Place
- ASCEND: Autonomous Structure Construction With Novel Agent Swarms
- SubArc: An Inexpensive, High Resolution, Open Source, Absolute Magnetic Rotary Encoder
Microbiology – Second Place
- Paracoccus for Bioremediation: Optimizing Formate Dehydrogenase in Paracoccus denitrificans for Development of a Non-toxic Bioremediation Strategy for Toxic C1 Compounds in Water
Physics & Astronomy – Second Place
- The Power of a Star in a Jar: Using Nuclear Fusion for Medical Radioisotope Production.
Plant Sciences – Fourth Place
- A Green Alliance: Evaluating the Synergistic Dynamics of PETase Expression and Plant-Microbe Interactions in Enhancing Microplastic Degradation Pathways in S. alterniflora
Robotics and Intelligent Machines – Third Place
- GaitGuardian: Real-Time Freezing of Gait Prediction and Optical Monitoring for Parkinson’s Disease (II)
- Soft Robotics in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Engineering a Novel Hydraulic Colonoscope to Minimize Risks and Enhance Usability
Robotics and Intelligent Machines – Fourth Place
- AutoMates: Automating With Self-Learning Intelligent Agents
Systems Software – Fourth Place
- AssemblyComplete: 3D Combinatorial Construction with Deep Reinforcement Learning
Technology Enhances the Arts – Second Place
- Unobstructing voice for the deaf: A real-time centered sign language recognition system
Regeneron ISEF 2025 Texas Special Award Winners
Adam R. Scripps Foundation – $10,000 award
- Revolutionizing Rocket Propulsion: Development of a 3D-Printed Regeneratively Cooled Aerospike Nozzle for Extended Burn Propulsion
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,
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: A Children’s Book About the Union-Closed Sets Conjecture
- Environmental Engineering: Tackling “Forever Chemicals PFAS” for Environmental Stewardship
- Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics: ASCEND: Autonomous Structure Construction With Novel Agent Swarms
- Robotics and Intelligent Machines: Soft Robotics in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Engineering a Novel Hydraulic Colonoscope to Minimize Risks and Enhance Usability
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.
Third Award of $2,000
- Chemistry: 2-Phenylalkynylsilyl Acetaminophen as a Less Toxic and More Effective Pain Medication
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.
Third Award of $500
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: A Children’s Book About the Union-Closed Sets Conjecture
One-Year Membership to American Mathematical Society to each winner (7 winning projects, up to 3 team members per project)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: A Children’s Book About the Union-Closed Sets Conjecture
Arizona State University ISEF Scholarship (valued at up to $32,000 each)
Arizona State University is pleased to offer a scholarship combining a monetary award and an environment focusing on knowledge, learning and research. The New American University ISEF Scholarship is renewable for four years. Individuals and teams will be considered for these awards.
- Chemistry: Platinum Electrode for Green Hydrogen Production via Electrocatalytic Conversion of Ion-Rich Agricultural Fertilizer Runoff
- Materials Science: From Trash to Nano-Treasure: Engineering Sustainable, Safe, and Biodegradable Quantum Dots for Use in Bioimaging, Medicine, and Agriculture
Association for Computing Machinery
Association for Computing Machinery is widely recognized as the premier membership organization for computing professionals, delivering resources that advance computing as a science and a profession; enable professional development; and promote policies and research that benefit society. ACM hosts the computing industry’s leading Digital Library and serves its global members and the computing profession with journals and magazines, conferences, workshops, electronic forums, and Learning Center.
Third Award of $1,500
- Robotics and Intelligent Machines: Soft Robotics in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Engineering a Hydraulic AI-Assisted Colonoscope to Minimize Patient Risks and Enhance Usability
The Bruno Kessler Foundation
The Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK) is a leading research center in Trento, Italy. WebValley is the FBK Summer School program for interdisciplinary scientific research. A team of enthusiastic and motivated high school students and FBK researchers accepts a project challenge, proposed by a visiting scientist. FBK’s Board of Directors will award several Intel ISEF finalists full fellowships to be part of the WebValley team in June.
Award to participate in summer school “Web Valley”
- SubArc: An Inexpensive, High Resolution, Open Source, Absolute Magnetic Rotary Encoder
Midwest Microelectronics Consortium Award – $3,000
Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC) leads the acceleration of microelectronic technologies and delivers solutions to build a trusted, resilient domestic supply chain. As a premier public-private ecosystem, MMEC engages innovative partners across industry, academia, and government to rapidly advance defense and commercial applications. This unique environment empowers members to discover new technologies, share capabilities, grow a skilled workforce, and launch innovation into scalable commercial production, supporting national security and economic strength.
- SubArc: An Inexpensive, High Resolution, Open Source, Absolute Magnetic Rotary Encoder
The Chief of Naval Research Scholarship Award of $15,000
Office of Naval Research on behalf of the United States Navy and Marine Corps; The Naval Science Awards Program (NSAP) is a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps program that encourages our nation’s students to develop and retain an interest in science and engineering. NSAP recognizes the accomplishments of eligible students at regional and state science and engineering fairs, as well as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in producing and presenting quality science and engineering projects.
- SubArc: An Inexpensive, High Resolution, Open Source, Absolute Magnetic Rotary Encoder
Patent and Trademark Office Society Award
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.
Top Award of $1,000, an American flag and a framed copy of the first patent granted in the USA given to the award winner.
- SubArc: An Inexpensive, High Resolution, Open Source, Absolute Magnetic Rotary Encoder
Second Awards of $500 each
- Chemistry: 2-Phenylalkynylsilyl Acetaminophen as a Less Toxic and More Effective Pain Medication
- Embedded Systems: Giving Robot Hands a Feeling
Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council
The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council, is committed to promoting advancements in research, development, and innovation initiatives locally and globally. QRDI catalyzes progress across various sectors, fostering collaboration and partnerships to address pressing societal issues and promote sustainable growth. The QRDI Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in research and innovation across four distinct categories. Each team will receive a $500 award for their remarkable contributions to research and discovery.
- Paving the Path to the Impossible: Regenerating Neurons Using Prostaglandin E2 Regulation as a Therapeutic Strategy
Ricoh Sustainable Development Award of $10,000
Ricoh USA, Inc., is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services that enable individuals to work smarter from anywhere. With cultivated knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 86-years history, Ricoh is a leading provider of digital services and information management, and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation and optimize business performance. Ricoh has a long-standing environmental mission and commitment to sustainability, bringing corporate, social and environmental responsibilities into balance.
- HeatLeaf: A Small Scale Hybrid Renewable Energy System That Incorporates Biomimicry
Serving Society Through Science
Serving Society Through Science (SSTS) is dedicated to recognizing talented individuals who seek to serve humanity. SSTS awards creative, outstanding projects that have the potential to improve the lives of people or represent a dramatic scientific advancement. Winners receive $500.
- Utilizing Ants to Mitigate MSW Landfill-Generated Methane Production Through Novel Aerobic Digester System for Anthropogenic Food Waste Decomposition
- 2-Phenylalkynylsilyl Acetaminophen as a Less Toxic and More Effective Pain Medication
- Livestock Emissions and Coconut Waste: Analyzing the Inhibitory Potential of Coconut Waste Products in Cattle Manure Methane Emissions
Shanghai Association for the Advancement of Science for Youths
Shanghai Association for the Advancement of Science for Youths (SAASY) is committed to popularizing and disseminating science and technology to young people and the public. As a leading STEM education organization which has a long history, SAASY works with hundreds of researchers and industry experts in STEM field, providing high-quality online and on-site STEM education resources and training programs. Awards are given to recognize outstanding projects in all disciplines.
- Year II: Assessing Marine Bivalves as Novel Invertebrate Models for Targeting Anti-apoptotic BCL-2 Family Proteins in Blood Cancer: The in vivo Effects of Ursolic Acid and Gossypol Acetic Acid on Tumor Cells in Mercenaria mercenaria
Information originally posted and shared from Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
