Insights from Nova Scholar Alumni on Their Experiences in the Regeneron Talent Search

The Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) are recognized as two of the most prestigious and competitive research-based science competitions available to high school students. Hosted by the Society for Science and generously supported by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, these programs are renowned for identifying and rewarding some of the brightest young minds in STEM. Each year, they collectively award over $10 million in scholarships, grants, and prizes, offering students more than just financial recognition—they provide a global stage for academic excellence, innovation, and scientific discovery.

But the impact of STS and ISEF extends far beyond the accolades. These platforms allow students to engage deeply in original, high-level research, refine their analytical and communication skills, and become part of a worldwide network of like-minded innovators. Participants are given the opportunity to present their findings to leading scientists, engineers, and professionals, receiving mentorship, feedback, and exposure that can shape their academic and professional trajectories for years to come.

At Nova Scholar Education, we have had the privilege of guiding many students through this transformative process. With a focus on mentorship that connects students to faculty and researchers from Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT, we help bridge the gap between academic ambition and real-world execution. Our students begin their journeys with a simple but powerful ingredient: curiosity. Through structured research programs and personalized coaching, they learn how to transform that curiosity into rigorous scientific inquiry, ultimately leading to high-impact projects that stand out at national and international competitions.

In this post, we explore the pathways that Nova Scholar students have taken to excel at Regeneron STS and ISEF—from their earliest brainstorming sessions to refining experimental designs and delivering competition-level presentations. We’ll highlight specific student experiences, the challenges they faced, and the lasting insights they gained along the way. These stories not only reflect the power of mentorship and perseverance but also offer valuable guidance for aspiring researchers looking to follow in their footsteps.

Designing Impactful Research with the Right Support

Behind every successful research project is a question that matters—one that sparks curiosity, reflects the researcher’s passions, and addresses a challenge of real-world significance. At Nova Scholar Education, the foundation of any strong student research journey begins not with a predetermined answer, but with the right question. For many students, that question emerges at the intersection of personal interest and global relevance.

Rather than prescribing research topics, Nova Scholar mentors work closely with students to uncover what excites them intellectually, guiding them to formulate research questions that are both innovative and feasible. Whether a student is fascinated by artificial intelligence, neurobiology, climate resilience, or sustainable design, the process starts with turning that spark of curiosity into a project that holds scientific weight and authentic purpose.

Structured Research Through Mentorship

Through the Nova Research program (2.5–5 months) and the Nova Patent program (2–4 months), high school students are given the structured time, tools, and mentorship needed to build high-quality research projects from the ground up. These programs are designed to mirror aspects of a college-level research experience—pairing students with mentors from top institutions like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT who specialize in the students' areas of interest.

The mentorship process involves far more than content expertise. Mentors help students:

• Conduct literature reviews to understand the current state of research
  
• Formulate clear, testable hypotheses
  
• Select appropriate methodologies and design ethical experiments
  
• Troubleshoot technical or conceptual challenges
  
• Analyze and interpret data
  
• Prepare publication-ready reports or competition-standard presentations
  
  

This guidance ensures that students are not just conducting research—they're learning how to think like researchers, gaining skills that will serve them well into college and beyond.

From Broad Curiosity to Targeted Innovation

Consider Sameen, a Nova Scholar student who initially expressed a general interest in biomedical engineering. With the help of her mentor, she explored several potential applications before narrowing her focus to wearable health technology. Her final project examined how sensor-integrated fabrics could detect physiological changes in real time—a timely and practical approach with applications in both personal health and emergency medicine. The project’s strength came from its specificity, originality, and technical feasibility—factors that helped it stand out in a competitive research environment.

Another student, Shrihan, entered the program intrigued by sustainability and transportation. With guidance, he zeroed in on electric vehicle drivetrain optimization, developing a project that tested different motor configurations and gear ratios for efficiency. His mentor helped him understand core concepts in mechanical engineering and data modeling, ensuring that his experimental design met competitive standards. By grounding his work in sustainability and energy systems, Shrihan’s research not only earned accolades but also sparked long-term interest in engineering and clean technology.

The Research Journey: From Concept to Competition-Ready

After a student identifies their research question and defines the scope of their project, the most intensive and formative part of the journey begins. Moving from a concept to a competition-ready project requires a sustained, iterative process that tests not only the student’s scientific understanding but also their perseverance, time management, and adaptability. For many students, this is where the project truly comes to life—and where expert mentorship becomes a critical pillar of success.

This stage involves refining hypotheses, designing ethical and feasible experiments, collecting reliable data, and troubleshooting inevitable setbacks. Students must also learn to evaluate the credibility of sources, identify limitations in their own methods, and refine their approach based on evidence—skills that mirror the rigor of university-level research labs.

Navigating Challenges with Mentorship

During this demanding phase, personalized mentorship provides essential technical and emotional support. Many students encounter obstacles that test their confidence or force them to rethink initial assumptions. In the Nova Scholar ecosystem, mentors offer more than answers—they guide students through the process of critical reflection and strategic problem-solving.

Sameen, for example, encountered unexpected roadblocks while coding a prototype for her wearable biomedical device. As someone new to embedded programming, she initially struggled to debug errors and integrate data from biosensors. Her mentor—a biomedical engineer with experience in device prototyping—provided real-time support via screen-sharing sessions. These collaborative sessions didn’t just solve the issue at hand; they helped Sameen understand the underlying logic behind each line of code, giving her both the immediate solution and the long-term tools to troubleshoot independently.

Shrihan, meanwhile, confronted the complex mechanics of optimizing torque and efficiency in electric vehicle motors. His mentor helped him model motor behaviors, calculate gear ratios, and incorporate real-world parameters into his design. By bridging textbook physics with hands-on experimentation, their partnership transformed a promising idea into a data-rich, analytically sound project.

These moments of breakthrough often occur after periods of frustration or stagnation, which is why continued mentorship is so vital. Students gain not only technical mastery, but also the confidence to push forward even when progress feels slow or uncertain.

Preparing for the Stage: Communication and Presentation

Research doesn't end with results—it culminates in how findings are synthesized and communicated. Whether submitting to Regeneron STS, ISEF, or a peer-reviewed high school journal, students must learn how to tell the story of their research clearly, persuasively, and professionally.

In the final stages of Nova Scholar’s programs, students receive targeted coaching on:

• Organizing data and visualizations for clarity and impact
  
• Designing presentation boards and slide decks that highlight the innovation and relevance of their work
  
• Writing concise and compelling abstracts
  
• Practicing oral presentations and Q&A sessions with mock judging panels
  
  

This holistic preparation ensures students can present their work not just confidently, but convincingly—demonstrating not only what they discovered, but how they approached their inquiry and why it matters.

Presenting at Regeneron STS and ISEF: Student Perspectives

For students in Nova Scholar Education’s research programs, competing in the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) or the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) represents more than a prestigious milestone—it’s a transformative academic experience. These elite competitions do more than recognize exceptional student research; they immerse students in a global community of inquiry and innovation, offering exposure to cutting-edge science, meaningful collaboration, and the opportunity to engage with leading experts across disciplines.

Students selected for these stages not only present their findings to panels of accomplished scientists, engineers, and educators, but also build lifelong skills in scientific communication, collaboration, and professional confidence.

From Local to National: Isabel’s Journey in Psychology

Isabel, a student passionate about psychology, began her research journey exploring adolescent stress and behavioral patterns. Initially, her project was grounded in school-level research requirements. However, through her work in the Nova Research program, she expanded the scope of her analysis under the mentorship of Nat, a psychology researcher with expertise in experimental design and statistical interpretation.

Nat’s support was pivotal in transitioning Isabel’s project from a local-level study to one competitive at the national stage. Together, they restructured her methodology, refined her use of statistical software, and prepared her for peer-reviewed critique. Isabel also participated in the Symposium of Rising Scholars, a Nova Scholar-hosted event where she presented her work to a live audience and received constructive feedback—an experience that boosted her confidence and honed her delivery ahead of presenting at Regeneron STS.

“Working with Nat helped me think differently—not just about my research, but about how to share it with others,” Isabel reflected. “Presenting at STS felt like I was part of something much bigger—a real scientific community.”

Dialogue and Discovery: Maya’s STS Finalist Experience

Maya, a biology student and eventual Regeneron STS finalist, began her project with a strong foundation in genetics and cell biology. Under Nova Scholar mentorship, she explored how neural development might be affected by environmental factors, blending molecular techniques with bioinformatics tools.

Her journey through the competition was marked by deep intellectual exchanges. At STS, Maya engaged in conversations with fellow finalists from across the country, many of whom were working on projects at the forefront of science—from quantum computing to synthetic biology. These dialogues, combined with feedback from scientists serving as judges, broadened Maya’s understanding of research as a collaborative, evolving process.

Today, Maya studies neuroscience at Duke University, where she continues to pursue research in developmental biology. She credits her Regeneron experience—and her Nova Scholar mentor—for helping her discover her academic path.

“STS wasn’t just a goal,” she shared. “It was a launchpad that helped me realize I could make real contributions to science.”

Transforming Success into Service: Amisha’s ISEF Impact

For Amisha, a former Nova Scholar student and ISEF competitor, the international scope of the fair opened doors far beyond her initial expectations. Her research, focused on environmental chemistry and sustainable materials, earned her a place at ISEF where she presented alongside students from more than 80 countries.

What stood out most to Amisha wasn’t just the competition—it was the sense of global scientific solidarity. Inspired by the diversity of projects and the camaraderie among competitors, she returned home with a renewed sense of purpose. Motivated by her experience, Amisha launched a community initiative to support middle school students interested in science fairs, offering mentorship and project development workshops based on what she had learned.

“I wanted to give others the same kind of opportunity that shaped me,” she said. “ISEF taught me that science isn’t just about individual achievement—it’s about building something that can help others grow too.”

Lessons from the Field: Advice for Aspiring Regeneron Competitors

Every year, new students set out to pursue original research with the goal of competing at the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) or the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Yet the road to these elite competitions can be daunting—especially for first-time researchers balancing school, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities. The good news? Nova Scholar alumni who have successfully navigated this journey offer valuable insight into what works, what to expect, and how to make the most of the experience.

Based on their reflections, here are four essential pieces of advice for students aiming to compete at Regeneron:

1. Start Early and Plan Strategically

High-impact research takes time. From conducting a thorough literature review to designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and writing a research paper, each stage requires careful planning and sustained focus.

Most successful students begin laying the groundwork at least six to nine months in advance of their target competition deadline. Starting early not only reduces stress, but also allows for deeper exploration of the topic, more rigorous experimentation, and time to revise based on mentor feedback.

Pro Tip: Break your timeline into phases—research design, data collection, analysis, writing, and presentation prep—and set internal deadlines to stay on track. Use tools like Trello or Notion to organize your workflow and progress.

2. Choose a Topic You’re Genuinely Curious About

The best research projects are fueled by genuine curiosity and intrinsic motivation. Rather than choosing a topic you think judges will find impressive, focus on something that personally excites you or that addresses an issue you deeply care about. Projects grounded in authentic interest often lead to greater persistence, stronger creativity, and more compelling outcomes.

For example, several Nova Scholar students have launched successful projects by exploring:

• Personal experiences with mental health and wearable technology
  
• Community sustainability concerns related to waste management
  
• Innovations in electric transportation based on climate advocacy
  
  

When you're truly invested in the question you're trying to answer, the process becomes more than an assignment—it becomes a purpose.

3. Expect Challenges—and Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Every student, regardless of background or ability, encounters obstacles during the research process. Whether it’s a flawed experiment, a confusing dataset, or a programming error, moments of frustration are normal—and necessary. What sets successful competitors apart is how they respond.

Mentorship is critical at this stage. A good mentor not only provides subject matter expertise but also teaches you how to approach problems systematically, refine your thinking, and build resilience. Nova Scholar students consistently highlight how their mentors helped turn setbacks into learning opportunities—whether through real-time coding support, brainstorming experimental alternatives, or clarifying abstract theoretical concepts.

Remember: Research is never a straight line. It’s okay to revise your hypothesis, redesign your experiment, or change direction when necessary.

4. Treat the Presentation as a Research Outcome

A polished, insightful project still needs to be communicated effectively to stand out at competitions. Presentation isn’t just about visuals—it’s about clearly telling the story of your research: the problem, the process, the results, and the impact.

Students should devote substantial time to preparing for poster sessions, oral presentations, and judge Q&As. Practice sessions with mentors or peers can help you anticipate questions, refine your talking points, and build confidence. Participating in events like Nova Scholar’s Symposium of Rising Scholars also provides a professional rehearsal environment where students can present their work to an academic audience and receive feedback before entering larger competitions.

Key Skills to Focus On:

• Clear, structured explanations
  
• Visual clarity in graphs and models
  
• Concise responses to technical questions
  
• Passionate, authentic delivery
  
  

By applying these strategies, students can navigate the research process with purpose, clarity, and confidence. Competitions like Regeneron STS and ISEF reward more than technical achievement—they celebrate thoughtfulness, originality, resilience, and the ability to communicate complex ideas in accessible ways.

For students starting their journey, the advice from past Nova Scholar competitors is clear: stay curious, plan with intention, seek support when needed, and treat every stage of your research as an opportunity to grow.

From Competition to Career: The Long-Term Impact

Participation in prestigious science competitions like the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is more than a celebratory moment—it’s often the starting point of a long-term academic and professional journey. For many Nova Scholar Education students, these competitions serve as pivotal experiences that shape their intellectual identity, career direction, and sense of purpose.

Through months of research, mentorship, and presentation, students build far more than a project—they develop a scientific mindset grounded in curiosity, discipline, and evidence-based reasoning. These attributes extend far beyond the laboratory or the judging panel. Whether students pursue careers in STEM fields or apply their research mindset to business, public policy, design, or education, the impact is lasting.

Career and Academic Opportunities Opened by Regeneron Participation

Nova Scholar alumni have leveraged their competition experiences in meaningful ways, including:

• Publishing in Student Research Journals: Many students turn their final papers or data sets into submissions for youth research journals, science magazines, or school publications, gaining early experience in academic publishing and peer review.
  

• Securing Undergraduate Research Positions: Because of the rigor and originality of their projects, students often stand out to university professors seeking undergraduate researchers. Regeneron experience signals that a student can contribute meaningfully to a research lab even as a freshman.
  
  
• Launching Community STEM Initiatives: Inspired by their own journeys, some students develop local mentorship programs, after-school workshops, or nonprofit platforms to make research more accessible to middle and high school students in their communities.
  
  
• Creating Startups or Innovation Prototypes: Students who work on applied research—such as medical devices, sustainability tools, or educational technologies—sometimes continue developing their ideas beyond the competition, with a few even pursuing intellectual property filings or MVP prototypes through programs like Nova Patent.
  
  
• Earning Scholarships and Competitive Admissions Offers: Many Regeneron participants gain access to scholarships and receive early admission offers from top universities. More importantly, they enter these institutions with the research experience and confidence to thrive in a rigorous academic environment.
  
  

A Mindset That Endures

Beyond these tangible outcomes, the greatest long-term value of participating in STS or ISEF lies in the mindset students develop:

• The ability to ask questions that matter
  
• A comfort with ambiguity, experimentation, and iteration
  
• Resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks
  
• A commitment to ethical research practices and data integrity
  
• A recognition that knowledge has power when used responsibly
  
  

These are qualities that define not just strong students, but future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

For Nova Scholar students, Regeneron is not a finish line—it’s a launchpad. It’s a chance to explore complex problems, learn from global peers, and push their own boundaries. And most importantly, it’s a space to discover who they are as researchers, thinkers, and members of a wider intellectual community.

As these students carry their research forward—into labs, universities, startup accelerators, and public forums—they do so with a foundation built not just on success, but on the rigorous, purpose-driven process that got them there.

Final Thoughts: Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

The achievements of Nova Scholar Education students at premier competitions like the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) represent more than just moments of recognition—they reflect a sustained investment in curiosity, mentorship, and academic excellence. These students have not only demonstrated technical competence in research methodology and data analysis; they’ve developed the courage to ask difficult questions, challenge conventional thinking, and communicate complex ideas with clarity and purpose.

What unites students like Sameen, Shrihan, Isabel, Maya, and Amisha is not just their success at prestigious science fairs, but the mindset they cultivated along the way. Each of them began with a simple but meaningful spark of interest—whether in wearable medical devices, electric vehicles, adolescent psychology, or global sustainability. With structured guidance, peer feedback, and the support of mentors from institutions like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT, they transformed those early ideas into polished, impactful research recognized on national and international stages.

Their stories serve as powerful reminders that great research doesn’t require a fully formed idea at the start—just the willingness to explore, revise, and persist. It’s in the process of inquiry, challenge, and collaboration that students discover their strengths and deepen their academic identity.

At Nova Scholar Education, our mission is to empower students to take their first steps into the world of research with confidence and support. Through programs like:

• Nova Research (2.5–5 months) for middle and high school students
  
  
• Nova Patent (2–4 months) for high schoolers pursuing innovation
  
  
• And mentorship rooted in academic rigor and real-world application
  
  

…we help students bridge the gap between potential and achievement.

Whether a student’s research leads to publication, a science fair award, or a personal revelation about their academic passions, the skills gained—critical thinking, ethical reasoning, scientific communication, and resilience—will serve them for life.

So, for students contemplating whether they’re ready to begin a research journey, the answer is simple: you don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to be willing to start. With expert mentorship, structured support, and the courage to ask big questions, even the smallest idea can become the foundation for future innovation. From classroom curiosity to the Regeneron stage and beyond, Nova Scholar Education is proud to support the next generation of researchers, problem-solvers, and changemakers.