East Brunswick Student Named Finalist In National Science Competition

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – An East Brunswick High School student was named a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search.

Allison Lee now has a shot at winning the top prize of $250,000. The finalists were selected from 300 top scholars and nearly 2,500 total entrants.

The program is touted as the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math 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. Regeneron Science Talent Search alumni have gone on to win 13 Nobel Prizes, and 23 MacArthur Fellowships, and have founded numerous world-changing companies, including Regeneron.

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.

As a finalist, Lee will be traveling to Washington D.C. to present her research to a panel of experts. Her project is titled “A Deep Learning Model for the Galaxy Merger Identification.”

Earlier, when Lee was selected as a top 300 scholar, she and the school district won a grant of $2,000 each.

During last week’s Board Of Education meeting, Superintendent Victor Valeski congratulated Lee on her achievement.

“Allison’s achievement is a testament to her dedication, scientific rigor and potential of groundbreaking research,” Valeski said.

“We are incredibly proud of Allison to represent our district and we certainly wish her the best of luck.”

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.

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