AMES, Iowa – The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), a program of the Society for Science for over 70 years, is the world’s largest global science competition for high schoolers. In total, awards valued at nearly $9 million were awarded to the 2023 finalists, who were evaluated based on their projects’ creativity, innovation and level of scientific inquiry. The competition featured over 1,600 young scientists representing 49 states and 64 countries, regions and territories across the world.
Twelve finalists and seven observers from Iowa competed at the world’s largest global high school competition in Dallas, Texas, on May 13-19. These youth were chosen based on their outstanding STEM research at either the eastern or western regional fairs, or at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development.
Jacob Hohl, 18, of Central Lee High School in Donnellson, received fourth place in the category of Earth and Environmental Science and a $500 award for his project, “The Effects of the Denitrification Process Through Bioreactors, Triticum, Avena Sativa, and Secale Cereale.” Jacob plans to the attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City next year to major in business with an emphasis in marketing and finance.
“These exceptionally talented Regeneron ISEF finalists are some of the brightest minds from around the world and our greatest hope for addressing global challenges in the future,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder, president and chief scientific officer of Regeneron. “Science is critical to the survival of our society, and these finalists have limitless potential to make a positive impact on the world. I congratulate them for their hard work and am eager to see what they achieve in their scientific journeys.”
ISEF alumni have gone on to have world-changing careers in science and engineering and earn some of the most esteemed honors, including National Medal of Science recipients, MacArthur Foundation Fellows, National Academy of Sciences Members and National Academy of Engineering Inductees.
For more information on ISEF or SSTFI, please visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h or contact your Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county office.
Shareable Photos:
Photo 1 - Twelve Iowa finalists and seven observers competed at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair on May 13-19.
Photo 2 - Jacob Hohl with his fourth place medal award for his project, “The Effects of the Denitrification Process Through Bioreactors, Triticum, Avena Sativa, and Secale Cereale.”
