Young Scientists on the Rise

Upper School students (from left) Anand George ’26, Eashan Anne ’26, Eliana Igwike ’26, and Angela Wang ’26 participated in the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, Ohio, competing against 1,700 young scientists representing more than 60 countries, regions, and territories across the world. 

George earned Third Award in Biomedical and Health Sciences at ISEF for his project titled “Combining Single Cell RNA Sequencing with Functional Analysis: An Analytical Pipeline to Optimize Selection of CAR T-Cell Therapy vs BITEs.”

In addition, George competed at the 63rd National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in April in Virginia, presenting the same research project. He joined 245 high school students who qualified for the national competition by submitting and presenting original scientific research papers at JSHS regional competitions, held at various locations throughout the country.

A team of Middle School students won the Red Lobster Ocean Sustainability Challenge in May, in which middle school students from around the country were challenged to demonstrate how they would use science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to create a solution to protect and restore oceans. 

Ben Raphael ’30, Sam Yuan ’29, Viraj Kamath ’29, and Sophie Kouklin ’29 (pictured, from left) entered the competition with the eco-friendly sunscreen they developed earlier in the year as part of the FIRST LEGO League Challenge. The sunscreen is made of all-natural ingredients and does not damage coral reefs. After competing in FIRST LEGO League regionals and sectionals, and winning the state championships, the team advanced to the world competition in April, where they won the “Gracious Professionalism” award.

Each member of the grand prize-winning team will receive an all-expenses-paid, three-day trip to Los Angeles to meet leading ocean innovators at AltaSea; free team registration to the 2025-26 FIRST LEGO competition season; and a STEAM kit for hands-on learning. In addition, USM will receive $1,000 for the purchase of science supplies.