Holmdel Students Named As Governor’s STEM Scholars

HOLMDEL, NJ — Two Holmdel high school students are now among the most talented STEM students in New Jersey with their induction into the 2024-2025 class of Governor’s STEM Scholars (GSS).

Maya Baireddy, a sophomore at High Technology High School, and Sophia Gao, a junior at High Technology High School, were selected from over 1,000 applicants throughout the state for the program.

111 total scholars representing 21 counties were chosen and represent “some of the highest achieving students in New Jersey.”

According to the Governor’s STEM Scholars website, the program is a public-private partnership between the Research & Development Council of NJ, the NJ Office of the Governor, the NJ Department of Education, the NJ Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the state’s leading research companies.

The GSS Program works to sustain and strengthen New Jersey’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) talent pipeline by introducing the state’s STEM students to the R&D and STEM ecosystem. By doing so, GSS hopes to establish a relationship between these students, STEM and New Jersey.

“New Jersey’s legacy of innovation is fueled by exceptional talent, and the Governor’s STEM Scholars is at the forefront of nurturing that talent,” said Anthony Cicatiello, president of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. “These scholars are not only the future leaders in STEM, but they also represent the diversity and brilliance that defines our state.”

According to her GSS profile, Maya Baireddy has a strong passion for robotics and space exploration. In 2024, she competed in the AI-oriented RoboCup Junior Competition, placing first in the US and second in the world in the Netherlands.

Baireddy’s project involved developing a machine-learning model capable of interpreting American Sign Language (ASL) and converting it into music on a piano, aimed at enhancing ASL’s accessibility and promoting inclusivity for the deaf community.

Following graduation, Baireddy aspires to become a robotics engineer and contribute to the advancement of aerospace technologies.

According to Gao’s GSS profile, she currently serves as the vice president of her school’s Student Government Association and is the founder of their Podcasting Club.

Outside of school, Gao shares her passion for mathematics by leading and organizing the NJ chapter of Math Koritsia, a non-profit math competition for middle school girls.

Her past research in bioengineering has received recognition by the IEEE-WIE for Best Young Women’s Engineering Project at the Jersey Shore Science Fair, and in her free time, she enjoys playing violin at her local orchestra, playing card games and stargazing.

“Through this program, we’re laying the foundation for groundbreaking discoveries that will continue to drive New Jersey’s economy and enhance its position as a global leader in research and development,” Cicatiello said.

Currently, New Jersey has the highest concentration of engineers and scientists per square mile in the United States, according to the NJ Economic Development Authority.

Recognizing this rich talent pool, GSS aims to serve as a vital bridge for STEM students to connect with research and STEM professionals within the industry, academia and government sectors.

Through conferences, field trips and research, scholars are able to explore professional opportunities that can jumpstart their future STEM careers.

Throughout the duration of the program, scholars attend four conferences to explore the STEM sectors of the industry, academia and government. For the 2024-2025 class, these conferences will be held at Rutgers University, Montclair State University, the NJ Institute of Technology and Kean University.

Additionally, scholars can build relationships with diverse STEM professionals by attending field trips and fireside chats at NJ companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Kenvue, Panasonic, PSEG, and Mars Wrigley.

GSS scholars will also participate in an engineering design research project that will enhance their analytical and 21st-century skills.

“Through the Governor’s STEM Scholars, New Jersey STEM students are able to learn from and engage with some of the state’s top STEM and R&D professionals, enhancing the students’ knowledge and understanding of career opportunities and introducing them to the STEM economy in New Jersey,” said Alise Roderer, director of the Governor’s STEM Scholars.

“With this career knowledge and exposure, we are setting these high school and college students on a path to achieve excellence in jobs of the future,” Roderer continued.

In the 2024-2025 GSS class, 62% of scholars identify as female and 89% are students of color. When these scholars graduate in May 2025, they will join an alumni cohort of nearly 1,000 scholars.

To qualify for GSS, applicants must have at least a 3.5 GPA, be a high school sophomore through doctoral-level student at a NJ-based high school or university, and demonstrate a strong passion for STEM.

To learn more about the Governor’s STEM Scholars Program, you can visit their website.