The Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT) has awarded $30,000 in grants to student scientists of six projects who participated in the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college student science and engineering competition that took place in Phoenix, Arizona from May 9–15, 2026.  

Owned and produced by the Society for Science, Regeneron ISEF provides a platform for the best and brightest young scientists to showcase their science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) research. The competition brought together more than 1,700 young scientists representing more than 67 countries, regions, and territories. 

The DCAT Science & Scholarship Committee, a volunteer committee within DCAT, facilitated DCAT’s participation as a Special Awards Organization at Regeneron ISEF. DCAT’s participation enables the organization to invest in the bio/pharmaceutical industry’s future by supporting young scholars who represent the geographic regions and areas of study reflected in DCAT’s global membership.   

“It was a privilege to represent the DCAT Science & Scholarship Committee as a Special Awards Judge at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair,” said Derek Prince, Ph.D. and President, Prince Sterilization Services, LLC and a member of the DCAT Science & Scholarship Committee and part of the DCAT task force that evaluated student applications and selected the winners for the DCAT awards. “The level of talent, professionalism, and enthusiasm displayed by these young innovators was inspiring. Speaking with students from around the world who are deeply passionate about science and engineering at such a young age reinforced how important it is for organizations like DCAT to continue supporting and recognizing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers.” 

The DCAT Science & Scholarship Committee supports the needs of students through grants and member-supported initiatives, which includes DCAT’s role as a Special Awards Organization at Regeneron ISEF. Since 2017, DCAT has awarded $180,000 in grants. The grants are funded via member support, including through the 2026 DCAT Scholarship Drive, where DCAT members come together for a day of friendly golf competition in support of student scholarships. The 2026 DCAT Scholarship Drive will be held on Monday June 22, 2026, at the Jasna Polana Club in Princeton, New Jersey. All proceeds benefit the DCAT scholarship initiative. Further information on how your company can attend and/or support this valuable initiative may be found here.  

Winning projects and student scientists 
The student scientists awarded grants from DCAT, and their projects are outlined below. 

Lili Szokolai (ELTE’s Radnoti Miklos Affiliated Secondary School, Budapest, Hungary) 
Development of Peptide-Drug Conjugates Targeting Glioblastoma Cells 

Athena Yee Huen Man (Central Bucks High School East, Furlong, Pennsylvania)
A Curcumin-Pentraxin Conjugate As a Potential Targeted Cancer Therapy. 

Sydney Elizabeth Banks, Canyon High School, New Braunfels, Texas 
Harnessing RNA Nanotechnology: In silico Design and Structural Modeling of RNA Aptamers Targeting BRCA1 for Early Detection of Breast and Ovarian Cancer 

Vijay Shivnani, Plano West Senior High School, Plano, Texas 
Characterizing Chlamydial Cytotoxins as Inflammatory Modulators: C. Muridarum and C. Trachomatis Putative Glycosyltransferase Activity and NF-kappa B Regulation 

Amalie Koblovska (Masarykovo Gymnazium, Pribor, Prispevkova Organizace, Senov u Noveho Jicina, Czech Republic) 
Evaluation of New FLT3 Inhibitors as New Drugs in Acute Myeloid Leukemia 

Olivia Grace Johnson (Thousand Oaks High School, Thousand Oaks, California) 
Investigating the Synergistic Effect of Ivermectin and C-Phycocyanin on Cell Viability in Human Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells 

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