APS Students Named 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars

Ambica Sharma, a Washington-Liberty High School student, and Julia Westwater Brodsky, an H-B Woodlawn student, were selected among the 300 scholars selected for the Regeneron Science Talent Search by the Society for Science.

Ambica’s project is titled, Novel Aurora Kinase, EZH2 and BET Inhibitor Small Molecular Compound Combinations to Treat Glioblastoma Multiforme. Julia’s project is titled, Characterization of Novel Acinetobacter baumannii Phages EAb3 and EAb7.

Each student and their school will receive a $2,000 award. Later in January, both students will compete to be one of the 40 Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. The finalists will then compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a weeklong competition in Washington, D.C. 

This year, research projects cover topics from analyzing the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, to developing eco-friendly biofuel, and improving methods used to detect diseases and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, bladder cancer, monkeypox, autism and more. Other students chose to focus on social issues, such as exploring ways to reduce social media-induced emotional distress and violence, as well as studying how mask mandates impact how accurately people can recognize emotion on others’ faces.

 The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math research competition for high school seniors. Regeneron STS is a program of Society for Science, the same non-profit organization that owns and produces the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Regeneron STS recognizes and empowers the most promising young scientists in the U.S. who are creating the ideas and solutions that solve our most urgent challenges. High school seniors with individual, original research projects are invited to apply online to the Regeneron STS. There are no limits to the number of students who can enter from any school, region or state, and students may submit research from any year of high school. For over eight decades the Science Talent Search has rewarded talented high school seniors who dedicate countless hours to original research projects and present their results in rigorous reports that resemble graduate school theses. Collectively, STS alumni have received millions of dollars in scholarships and gone on to be awarded Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, MacArthur Fellowships and numerous other accolades.  

Congratulations to our 2023 Regeneron STS Scholars!