January 7, 2022

Five talented Plano ISD students were named as "Top 300" scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Congratulations to:

• Sidhya Peddinti, Plano East Senior High School, Project Title: Parkinsensor: Computer Vision and Ensemble Machine Learning-Based Incipient Diagnosis for Parkinson’s Disease Using Neuromuscular Biomarkers
• Harshal Bharatia, Plano Senior High School, Project Title: Autonomous Learning With Automatically Created Models and a Novel Model Selection
• Navya Ramakrishnan, Plano Senior High School, Project Title: An Intelligent System for the Prediction of Epileptic Seizures Using Machine Learning Algorithms
• Rithvik Ganesh, Plano West Senior High School, Project Title: Tackling Tau: Identification of a Novel Inhibitor for the MSUT-2 Protein Using Quantum Machine Learning for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Sophie Reese Krajmalnik, Plano West Senior High School, Project Title: Optimizing Automotive Seating Position to Reduce Injury Severity in Short-Statured Drivers

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,804 applications received from 603 high schools across 46 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and eight countries. Scholars were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists.  

The Regeneron Science Talent Search provides students a national stage to present original research and celebrates the hard work and novel discoveries of young scientists who are bringing a fresh perspective to significant global challenges. This year, research projects cover topics from medicine and health to environmental science.

"Amid an unprecedented and ongoing global health crisis, we are incredibly inspired to see such an extraordinary group of young leaders who are using the power of STEM to solve the world’s most intractable challenges," said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science, Publisher of Science News and 1985 Science Talent Search alum. “The ingenuity and creativity that each one of these scholars possesses has shown just how much intellectual curiosity and passion can thrive, even in difficult times." 

On January 20, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. The finalists will then compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a week-long competition taking place March 10-16.  

About the Regeneron Science Talent Search

The Regeneron Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science & the Public since 1942, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Each year, around 2,000 student entrants submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study and are judged by leading experts in their fields. Unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and around the world, the Regeneron Science Talent Search focuses on identifying, inspiring and engaging the nation’s most promising young scientists who are creating the ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.

In 2017, Regeneron became only the third sponsor of the Science Talent Search as a way to help reward and celebrate the best and brightest young minds and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM as a way to positively impact the world. Through its 10-year, $100 million commitment, Regeneron nearly doubled the overall award distribution to $3.1 million annually, increasing the top award to $250,000 and doubling the awards for the top 300 scholars and their schools to $2,000 each to inspire more young people to engage in science.

Program alumni include recipients of the world’s most coveted science and math honors, including 13 Nobel Prizes, 11 National Medals of Science, six Breakthrough Prizes, 22 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and two Fields Medals.