Thirteen Indian American students have been named finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious competition for science and math. Each finalist will be awarded $2,000, with an additional $2,000 being granted to their schools for every enrolled finalist. The finalists’ research covers a diverse range of critical issues, including crop disease detection, species migration, AI-based disease diagnosis, genetic therapies, and low-cost pest treatment solutions.
“We celebrate these exceptional students for their outstanding achievements,” said Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of the Society for Science. “These young innovators represent the future of scientific and technological breakthroughs. By fostering this next generation, we’re helping create a stronger economy and a better future.”
The finalists will engage in a week-long competition from March 6-12, where they will undergo a rigorous judging process and vie for more than $1.8 million in awards. They will also have the chance to interact with leading scientists and share their research with the public on March 9, both in person and virtually. On March 11, the top 10 winners will be announced during an awards ceremony.
The list of Indian American finalists includes:
Laasya Acharya, 17, William Mason High School, OH – Project: Implementing a Novel Multimodal Neural Network Approach Using Dynamic Hyperparameter Selection for Early Detection of Crop Diseases.
Vidya Ambati, 17, Albemarle High School, VA – Project: Haloperidol Inhibits Inflammasome Activation via the Receptor LAMTOR1, Reducing Risk of Rheumatoid and Gouty Arthritides.
Prisha Prakash Bhat, 17, Plano East Senior High School, TX – Project: Genetic Augmentation of Oryza sativa to Increase Drought and Arsenic Tolerance by Overexpressing Aquaporin Genes.
Ishana Chadha, 17, Commack High School, NY – Project: Understanding Neuronal Migration in Brain Development: The Role of Oligophrenin1 in Modulating Radial Migration of Neurons.
Vishwum Kapadia, 17, University School, OH – Project: Change in Dicrotic Notch Index Predicts Outcomes in Mitral Regurgitation Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.
Hrithik Ketineni, 17, Westview High School, OR – Project: Quantum Algorithm for Exact Minimal Exclusive-OR Sum-of-Product Minimization and Reversible Synthesis.
Vivek Malik, 17, Hackley School, NY – Project: Characterization of Plexin D1’s Role in Regulating Macrophage Immune Response.
Atreya Manaswi, 19, Orlando Science Middle/High School, FL – Project: Engineering an IoT Trapping System for Eco-Friendly Honey Bee Pest Treatment.
Siddharth Nirgudkar, 17, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, MA – Project: Contextualized Transfer Learning for Predictive Power in Resource-Limited Settings.
Thanush Patlolla, 17, William G. Enloe High School, NC – Project: Development of a Finite-Nuclear Model Based on Electron Scattering Data.
Yash Ranjith, 18, Westmont High School, CA – Project: Modeling Pollution Spread with Obstructions Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks.
Akilan Sankaran, 17, Albuquerque Academy, NM – Project: Investigating Generalized Pilot-Wave Dynamics from Walking to Tunneling.
Sandeep Sawhney, 18, Herricks High School, NY – Project: Gallium-Mediated DNA Tensegrity Triangle-Based Crystals for Cancer Therapy.
These finalists represent a broad spectrum of research areas, from environmental sustainability to advancements in medical therapies. Their work reflects a commitment to addressing pressing global challenges through scientific innovation.
The competition also provides an opportunity for the finalists to network with renowned scientists, educators, and researchers, positioning them as future leaders in science and technology. The top 10 finalists will be recognized on March 11, 2025, during the awards ceremony.
