Four IUSD high school students attended and presented their science fair projects at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Following their impressive performances at the California Science & Engineering Fair, these students earned the opportunity to compete on the global stage.
The Regeneron ISEF, held from May 11-17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, is the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition. This year’s event featured nearly 2,000 young scientists from 49 U.S. states and almost 70 countries, regions and territories. With over $9 million in awards distributed, the competition celebrated projects marked by creativity, innovation and scientific inquiry.
Matthew Chang from Woodbridge High School distinguished himself by winning first place in the Microbiology category with his project titled, "Bioinformatic Analysis of Foliar Fungal Endophytes in Litter Decomposition," earning a $5,000 prize. This award places him among the elite 33 student scientists who secured first place in their respective categories.
Lilian Gan and Annika Chatterjee from University High School, alongside Sebastian Alexis from Northwood High School, also made significant contributions. Gan received the Chemistry Special Award and Alexis was honored with the Software Special Award, each earning a $500 prize for their exceptional work.
Participating in Regeneron ISEF offers students a platform to engage with peers from around the globe. Beyond presenting their projects, participants attended networking events, expert panels and Q&A sessions with industry leaders, including NASA Astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps. They also took part in the Student Pin Exchange, a cultural exchange event where finalists traded pins symbolizing their home countries.
Congratulations to these IUSD students for their remarkable achievements and for representing our district with distinction at this renowned international competition.
To view the award-winning and participant projects, visit the Regeneron ISEF 2024 Virtual Showcase.
