Three MCPS Students Named as Finalists in Regeneron Science Talent Search

Three Montgomery Blair Students Named as Finalists in National Science Talent Search

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Society for Science & the Public today named 40 finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest science and math competition for high school seniors.

Three Montgomery County Public Schools students are among the top 40 finalists announced Wednesday. They are:

• Grace Cai, Montgomery Blair High School
  • Project Summary: Grace studied the algorithms guiding swarming robots, each of which must perform individually, yet together, in ways that are similar to the flocking behavior and formations of birds in flight. Her algorithm improves the ability of the swarm to decide between speed and accuracy in urgent situations.
• Kevin Qian, Montgomery Blair High School
  • Project Summary: Kevin’s physics project generalized results about taking extremely accurate measurements of fields using quantum networks. Fields are everywhere in physics, including the Earth’s gravitational or electromagnetic fields.
• Daniel Schäffer, Montgomery Blair High School
  • Project Summary:Daniel’s research into the genetics of intracellular calcium regulation provides new insight into the evolution of this important process. His findings may someday aid the treatment of the rare genetic illness Wolfram syndrome.

Finalists were selected from a pool of nearly 2,000 highly qualified entrants, all of whom completed an original research project and extensive application process. Earlier this month, the Society and Regeneron named the top 300 scholars. The finalists, who were selected based on their projects’ scientific rigor and their potential to become world-changing scientists, were selected from that pool.

Science Talent Search is designed to engage and inspire the next generation of scientific leaders. Alumni have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, found successful companies and invent groundbreaking medical treatments.

The finalists will travel to Washington, D.C. from March 7-13, where they will undergo a scrupulous judging process and compete for more than $1.8 million in awards. They will also have the opportunity to interact with leading scientists, meet with members of Congress and display their projects to the public at the National Geographic Society on March 10.

The finalists are each awarded at least $25,000, and the top 10 awards range from $40,000 to $250,000. The top 10 Regeneron Science Talent Search 2019 winners will be announced at an ceremony at the National Building Museum on March 12. In total, more than $3 million in awards will be distributed throughout the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Previously, each of the top 300 scholars received $2,000 with an additional $2,000 going to their school.

About Michelle Queen

View all posts by Michelle Queen