Newswise — IMSA’s Jimmy Ren ’19 is among 300 high school seniors that have been named scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search.  Scholars represent 177 high schools in 35 states. Each of the 300 scholars and their schools will be awarded $2,000.

In 2017, Regeneron became only the third sponsor (alongside Intel and Westinghouse) of the Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. As part of its 10-year, $100 million commitment, Regeneron nearly doubled the overall award distribution to $3.1 million annually to better reward the best and brightest young minds. Founded and led by two Science Talent Search alumni, Regeneron recognizes and prioritizes the need to inspire more young people to engage in science.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,818 applicants from 555 high schools in 45 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico and six American and international high schools overseas. The scholars were selected based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists.

On Jan. 23, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. Finalists will compete for more than $1.8 million in awards provided by Regeneron. The Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists are engaged in trailblazing scientific research that addresses some of our most urgent global challenges. This year, research projects cover topics from space science to bioinformatics to environmental science.

“We are delighted to honor this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars,” said Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of Society for Science & the Public and publisher of Science News. “These brilliant students have already made remarkable scientific achievements at a young age, and we are eager to see where their scientific journeys take them next.”

The Regeneron Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science & the Public, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. It recognizes and empowers our nation’s most promising young scientists who are creating the ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.