Leon Wang Named Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 Finalist

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King School senior Leon Wang has been named a 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 Finalist, placing him among the nation’s most accomplished high school science researchers. Selected from nearly 2,000 applicants nationwide, Wang was recognized for his advanced research on Alzheimer’s disease conducted through King’s advanced science program ASPIRE.

Wang joins an elite group of just 57 Connecticut students to reach the Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 since 1942, and he is the first student from an independent school in the state to do so in recent years. This marks the first time a King student has earned the recognition.

“My work for Regeneron builds on the research I’ve been doing at Mount Sinai through ASPIRE,” Wang said. “When I finally analyzed the data from my first successful drug experiment, I realized that the drugs I was testing could have a real medical impact for patients. Being named a Top 40 Finalist in a national competition that has launched the careers of Nobel laureates and leading scientists brings both the responsibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the field of neuroscience.”

Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), administered by the Society for Science, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors. Advancement to the Top 40 represents the final stage of the competition and honors students whose research demonstrates exceptional originality, depth, and scientific promise. Past Regeneron STS alumni include 13 Nobel Prize winners, 22 MacArthur Fellows, and numerous leaders in science and technology.

Through ASPIRE, King’s signature science research initiative, Wang pursued laboratory-based research focused on Alzheimer’s disease while working with the Blanchard Lab at Mount Sinai Research Hospital in New York. His research examined potential treatments for patients with the APOE4 genetic risk factor, the most common genetic contributor to Alzheimer’s disease.

Wang’s work explored biological similarities between Alzheimer’s disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, investigating whether two FDA-approved pulmonary fibrosis drugs could be repurposed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. His findings demonstrated reduced disease progression in stem cell cultures carrying the APOE4 variant, identifying promising avenues for future therapeutic research.

His research has been presented at national science forums, including the International Forum on Research Excellence hosted by Sigma Xi, and is published online as a preprint in Cell, a leading peer-reviewed biology journal, ahead of formal publication.

In addition to his research, Wang is a member of King’s Math Team, Debate Team, and Ambassadors Club. His selection as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 Finalist reflects both his academic rigor and King’s emphasis on experiential, real-world learning.

As a Top 40 Finalist, Wang will travel to Washington, D.C., in March. He will present and defend his research during final judging, participate in public exhibitions of projects, and attend the national awards ceremony. Finalists are each guaranteed a $25,000 scholarship, with the top 10 winners receiving awards ranging from $40,000 to $250,000.

“This accolade represents a milestone for King’s ASPIRE program,” said Victoria Schulman, Director of Science Research. “Leon’s achievement now cements King School as a fierce force to be reckoned with in the field of science research, as we have now placed in and competed in every level of every competition available to our students, from local, state, and regional competitions to national and international competitions as well.”

Wang rushed into Schulman’s office with five missed calls from a Washington number and they both braced themselves when the phone rang again. Schulman instinctively grabbed her cell phone to record the call.

“We both screamed and jumped for joy,” she said, adding that she has watched the video repeatedly. “It makes me so proud and happy for Leon. He is so deserving and the genuine look on his face at the news is heartwarming. I love seeing my students’ hard work come to fruition and lead them to amazing opportunities for them.”

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King School is an independent day school in Stamford, CT, educating students in PreK through Grade 12. Students at King engage in an immersive and innovative curriculum that is anchored in an inquiry-based pedagogy that nurtures curiosity, intellectual growth, and character development.

The ASPIRE program is supported by the Advanced Mathematics and Science Study Program endowed fund, established in 2018 by Margharet, Frank, Bea, and William Nash to support students with demonstrated ability and interest in advanced STEM research, laboratory experiences, and national and global scientific competitions.

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