Senior Stanley Liu was named among the top 300 scholars in the 2021 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), “the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors.”

Originally called the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, the Regeneron STS is an annual contest in which around 1,900 high senior applicants present original research and ideas in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, commonly referred to by educators as STEM. The most outstanding ones of the bunch are selected and the chosen students receive recognition and earn monetary grants for themselves and their schools to use toward STEM-related activities.

“The Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the most promising scientists among the nation’s high school seniors,” as stated on its website. “Scholars were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking, and promise as scientists.”

Stanley started the research on his project for submission during the summer of his freshman year. After contacting over 127 research laboratories in nearby universities, he was taken under the wing of Professor Suraiya Rasheed, the director of the University of Southern California’s Laboratory of Oncology and AIDS Research. Stanley has spent his after-school hours throughout the last few years at her lab building an economical microfluidic device for HIV diagnostics.

“Working with my mentor on this research project and pursuing my passion for biomedical engineering has been such an incredible experience,” said Stanley. “I’ve had the opportunity to present my work at international research conferences in Switzerland and Taiwan, publish my work in a peer-reviewed journal paper, and meet some of many like-minded high schoolers and aspiring scientists at science fairs.”

Stanley thanked his parents and two older brothers, Benjamin and Vick, who helped and inspired him throughout his academic career. He is also very grateful for his research mentors, Professor Rasheed, Neha Garg, and Mohammad Aghaamoo, along with his Arcadia High School teachers, Mrs. Mynster and Ms. Leahy, for supporting him and his love for biomedicine.

“I could never have made any of this happen without their support and love over the past few years,” said Stanley.

He is glad to be recognized as an STS semi-finalist and is elated that Mrs. Mynster, his AP Chemistry teacher, will receive $2,000 for new lab supplies that will aid her future students as a result of his recognition.

“I intend on majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in computer science in college,” said Stanley. “I would like to pursue a career in biomedical engineering and possibly become a college professor one day to mentor future generations of budding young scientists, like my research mentors have done for me.”

Photo courtesy of Stanley Liu