Each year, thousands of high school students across the country conduct original research projects that push the boundaries of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Among the most prestigious platforms recognizing this work is the Regeneron Science Talent Search, a nationally renowned program that honors exceptional science research projects by high school seniors. This year, North High is celebrating a major accomplishment of having two students, Sophia Li and Kian Soleymani, named as Regeneron Science Talent Search semifinalists.
Administered by the Society for Science, the Regeneron Science Talent Search is widely regarded as the nation’s oldest and most competitive high school research competition. Nearly 2,000 students submitted research papers in fields ranging from environmental science and molecular biology to artificial intelligence and medicine. From that pool, only 300 students nationwide were selected as semifinalists.
“Being named a Regeneron semifinalist reflects an exceptionally high level of student research,” research director and facilitator Jessica York said. “These projects demonstrate sustained inquiry, intellectual independence, and the ability to engage meaningfully with complex scientific questions over multiple years. The recognition speaks not only to strong results, but to the depth of thinking, perseverance, and scientific maturity students develop through long-term research at North.”
Unlike traditional classroom labs, Regeneron projects often require students to design and refine their own research questions, engage with past literature, and persist through trial and error. York emphasized that North’s science research program is built around that process rather than any single competition.
“Students learn how to identify meaningful questions, review and engage with scientific literature, design and revise methods, analyze data thoughtfully, and communicate their findings clearly,” York said. “Competitions like Regeneron become a natural extension of that work, rather than the driving force behind it.”
Sophia Li’s research journey was shaped by a long-standing interest in environmental science.
“I have long been drawn to environmental science because it represents a unique intersection of humans and wildlife, as well as history and modern scientific innovation,” senior Sophia Li said. “Through cold emailing, I connected with Professor Endreny after being drawn to his work with geospatial modeling of environmental conditions, and from there, I discussed my ideas and interests with him, and those conversations formed the basis of my project.”
Sophia’s research process proved to be both demanding and rewarding.
“The most challenging part was enduring long hours without visible progress,” Li said. “Often, technical problems required hours of researching solutions and troubleshooting, which could be discouraging at times. However, stepping away briefly or meeting with my professor often offered a new perspective and fresh motivation.”
Kian Soleymani’s project emerged from a different challenge, and through extensive background research and discussion with his mentor, he became interested in addressing cognitive decline caused by prolonged stress during long-duration space missions. His project envisions an offline A.I. chatbot that could act as a form of therapeutic support for astronauts. But this project and process also entailed difficulties.
“The most challenging part of my research was coming up with an idea over the summer,” senior Kian Soleymani said. “Since the basis of your project is the idea itself, coming up with a good one can be very challenging, especially in a world that seems to have already solved many problems.”
Both students credited North High’s research program with shaping their growth beyond a single project.
“Since the 8th grade, my research projects have gotten more sophisticated, my public speaking skills have strengthened, and my writing skills have also increased tremendously,” Soleymani said. “Research isn’t always about results or even discovery, and that’s something the North High program teaches you. It’s about the methods and gaining all these different skills along the way.”
York echoes this statement, emphasizing that long-term research builds resilience, critical thinking, and confidence. Through North High’s research program, students learn to navigate uncertainty and revise their thinking, which are skills that extend beyond research competitions and into college and future careers. She also highlighted the broader value of independent research, noting that it allows students to move from consuming knowledge to creating it, an experience that can be transformative at the high school level.
Sophia Li encouraged younger students’ interests in research to remain persistent.
“When seeking research opportunities, it’s essential to be unafraid of hearing ‘no,’ because you never know which email, conversation, or question might be your next biggest opportunity,” Li said.
Additionally, she stressed the importance of genuine interest, noting that without passion, the repetitive nature of research can make it difficult to produce meaningful work.
As North High celebrates its two Regeneron semifinalists, their recognition reflects not only individual achievement, but also a program rooted in curiosity and perseverance. In highlighting students who ask difficult questions and commit to answering them, the Regeneron Science Talent Search continues to spotlight the next generation of researchers.
