13 Indian Americans among Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists

Top 40 high school scientists to compete for $1.8 million in awards celebrating most talented young minds driving innovation and progress

By Arun Kumar

Thirteen Indian American students are among top 40 finalists in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), America’s longest-running science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for high school seniors.

Now in its 84th year, the competition identifies extraordinary young minds who blend scientific talent, curiosity and bold leadership to drive meaningful change for society, according to a Society for Science press release.

READ: Amish Doshi becomes first South Asian civil court judge in Queens (January 24th, 2025) 

The finalists were selected from 300 top scholars and nearly 2,500 total entrants, reflecting the exceptional magnitude and caliber of this year’s competition, and underscoring the importance of nurturing STEM education, along with supporting accessibility for programs that promote scientific literacy and career readiness

This year’s finalists’ research projects span a wide range of critical topics, reflecting their diverse expertise and commitment to tackling society’s most pressing issues.

Research areas include species migration, early detection crop protection, and low-cost pest treatment and management. Other finalists focused on disease diagnosis using tools like AI, and progression analysis, as well as genetic and cancer therapies.

“We celebrate this exceptional group of Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists for their outstanding achievements,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News. “These young people represent the future of innovation. By nurturing the next generation of scientific and engineering leaders, we are investing in a stronger economy and a better tomorrow, fueled by scientific and technological breakthroughs.”

Finalists will participate in a week-long competition from March 6-12, 2025, where they will undergo a rigorous judging process and compete for more than $1.8 million in awards.

They will also have an opportunity to interact with leading scientists and share research with the public on March 9, both in person and virtually. The top 10 Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025 winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on March 11, streamed live from Washington D.C.

More than $3 million in awards will be distributed throughout the Regeneron Science Talent Search in total. Each finalist will be awarded at least $25,000, with the top 10 awards ranging from $40,000 to $250,000. The top 300 scholars, each of whom receive $2,000 and each of whose schools will receive $2,000 to support math and science programs.

Indian American finalists are:

Laasya Acharya, William Mason High School, Mason, OH

Project Title: Implementing a Novel Multimodal Neural Network Approach Using Dynamic Hyperparameter Selection Within an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for the Early Detection of Crop Diseases

Vidya Ambati, Albemarle High School, Charlottesville, VA

Project Title: Haloperidol Inhibits Inflammasome Activation via the Novel Receptor LAMTOR1 and Reduces the Risk of Rheumatoid and Gouty Arthritides

Prisha Prakash Bhat, Plano East Senior High School, Plano, TX

Project Title: Genetic Augmentation of Oryza sativa To Increase Drought and Arsenic Tolerance Through Overexpression of Aquaporin Genes

Ishana Chadha, Commack High School, Commack, NY

Project Title: Understanding Neuronal Migration in Brain Development: The Role of Oligophrenin1 in Modulating Radial Migration of Pyramidal Neurons by Interaction With Pacsin2

Vishwum Kapadia, University School, Chagrin Falls, OH

Project Title: Change in Dicrotic Notch Index Predicts Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Mitral Regurgitation

Hrithik Ketineni, Westview High School, Portland, OR

Project Title: Quantum Algorithm for Exact Minimal Exclusive-OR Sum-of-Product Minimization and Reversible Synthesis.

Vivek Malik, Hackley School, Tarrytown, NY

Project Title: Novel Characterization of Plexin D1’s Role in Regulating the Macrophage Immune Response

Atreya Manaswi, Orlando Science Middle/High School, Orlando, FL

Project Title: Year 5: Engineering a Novel IoT Trapping System With a Multiple Linear Regression Model Toward Eco-Friendly, High-Efficacy and Low-Cost Honey Bee Pest Treatment and Management

Siddharth Nirgudkar, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Acton, MA

Project Title: Contextualized Transfer Learning: Transforming Heterogeneity Into Predictive Power With Generative Latent Structures in Resource-Limited Settings

Thanush Patlolla, William G. Enloe High School, Raleigh, NC

Project Title: Development of a Finite-Nuclear Model Based on Comprehensive Electron Scattering Data With the Use of Numeric Atom-Centered Orbitals

Yash Ranjith, Westmont High School, Campbell, CA

Project Title: Modeling Pollution Spread With Obstructions Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks

Akilan Sankaran, Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM

Project Title: From Walking to Tunneling: An Investigation of Generalized Pilot-Wave Dynamics

Sandeep Sawhney, Herricks High School, New Hyde Park, NY

Project Title: Gallium-Mediated DNA Tensegrity Triangle-Based Crystals: A Novel Prototype Facilitating Gallium Cancer Therapy.