Bergen County Academies Recognizes 5 Regeneron Scholars

The Bergen County Academies proudly acknowledges our five students who have been named as Scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Esat Acikgoz of Fairlawn, Belen Franco de la Matta of Northvale, Carolyn Huo of Allendale, and Riyashi Varia and Isabella Maria Zelaya Alves, both of Rutherford, were among the 300 students chosen from nearly 2500 applicants.

According to Regeneron, “Scholars were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as STEM leaders demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays and recommendations.”

On January 23, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. The finalists will then compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a week-long competition in Washington, D.C., taking place March 6-12, 2025.

For over eight decades, the Science Talent Search has rewarded talented high school seniors who dedicate countless hours to original research projects and present their results in rigorous reports that resemble graduate school theses. Collectively, STS alumni have received millions of dollars in scholarships and gone on to found world-changing companies, publish groundbreaking research, and win Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, MacArthur Fellowships and numerous other accolades.

We wish our Scholars good luck in the next round of competition and congratulate them on this very impressive and prestigious honor.