Pasadena High School Student Wins $250,000 Top Prize in Regeneron Science Talent Search

A Pasadena High School student has earned the $250,000 first-place award in America’s oldest and most prestigious science competition for developing innovative machine learning algorithms that efficiently analyzed vast amounts of astronomical data. Matteo Paz, 18, was honored at the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search awards ceremony held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Pasadena Unified’s Superintedent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco offered her praise to Paz in a Monday email. : “Congratulations to Pasadena High School senior Matteo Paz,” she wrote, describing him as having a “brilliant” mind.

Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News, also lauded Paz and the other winners.

“The remarkable creativity and dedication of these students bring renewed hope for our future. Driven by their ingenuity, these young scientists are developing groundbreaking solutions that have the potential to transform our world and propel society forward,” Ajmera said.

Paz’s winning project designed machine-learning algorithms to efficiently comb through 200 billion entries of raw NEOWISE infrared full-sky data. By detecting subtle changes in infrared radiation, his AI system classified celestial objects into 10 categories and discovered 1.5 million potential new objects.

The competition, now in its 84th year, celebrates young innovators who apply their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) talents to address pressing challenges. The event distributed more than $1.8 million in prizes to 40 finalists, who were evaluated based on scientific rigor, originality, critical thinking, leadership potential and commitment to driving meaningful impact.

Ava Grace Cummings, 18, of Smithfield, North Carolina, won second place and $175,000 for creating a fruit fly model of STAC3 disorder, also known as Native American myopathy, a rare genetic muscle disease. Owen Jianwen Zhang, 18, of Bellevue, Washington, received third place and $150,000. The three winners were photographed together at the ceremony.

“The Science Talent Search changed my life. At my high school, STS winners were treated like star athletes, and I never imagined I would belong in such an amazing group of kids who were operating at a whole different level than I had ever seen,” said George D. Yancopoulos, co-Founder, Board co-Chair, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron and a 1976 Science Talent Search finalist and top winner. “The experience of competing in STS and being named a top winner gave me the confidence to devote my life to science. So, congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners, you are America’s best and brightest. I hope this moment inspires you to push boundaries, challenge assumptions and use your brilliance to change the world.”

The remaining finalists each received $25,000. In total, Regeneron awarded $3.1 million in prizes, including $2,000 to each top scholar and their school. Many Science Talent Search alumni have established distinguished careers in STEM fields, with some earning prestigious honors including the Nobel Prize, National Medal of Science, and MacArthur Fellowship.

Those interested can learn more about the Regeneron Science Talent Search at https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/ and explore all the research projects at the Virtual Public Showcase. Media resources are available at https://www.societyforscience.org/2025-regeneron-science-talent-search-media-kit.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the Society for Science, which was established in 1921 and is known for its award-winning science journalism through Science News and Science News Explores. The Society also operates world-class science research competitions and provides outreach and equity programming to ensure all students have opportunities to pursue STEM careers. As a 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (Society4Science).