Byram Hills HS's Samantha Milewicz Is A Regeneron Contest Finalist

ARMONK, NY — Byram Hills High School's Samantha Maya Milewicz is a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023, the country’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Milewicz is one of only 40 finalists, who Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Society for Science said were selected from over 1,900 highly qualified entrants based on their projects' scientific rigor and their potential to become world-changing scientists and leaders. Finalists were selected by a national jury of professional scientists from a pool of 300 scholars, who were announced earlier this month.

"Congratulations to Byram Hills High School senior Samantha Milewicz on being chosen as a finalist in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Search," the Byram Hills Central School District posted on social media Tuesday. "Congratulations, Samantha! We wish you continued success in March!"

Milewicz's project was titled "Selective Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Attenuates Traumatic Brain Injury-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in a Novel Dynamic in vitro Model." Her research included using a novel 3D model that mimics the brain's protective layer, the blood-brain barrier, to identify a protein involved in tissue damage from traumatic brain injuries. Using a combination of several techniques, Milewicz demonstrated that inhibiting the production of the protein MMP-9 restores healthy barrier function post-injury, providing insight into this protein's potential for therapeutic innovation.

"Samantha is a true scientist, enthusiastic about her work and excited by its potential to help those suffering from traumatic brain injury," director of the Authentic Science Research Program at Byram Hills HS, Stephanie Greenwald said. "We are so proud of her dedication to science and her selection as a Regeneron finalist."

The 17-year-old says that she plans to continue studying traumatic brain injuries and other neurodegenerative diseases in college, and hopes to become a surgeon. "I hope I can continue to have a positive impact on society," the young scientist said.

"Samantha is so well-deserving of this recognition," Principal Christopher Walsh said. "The entire Byram Hills community is incredibly proud of her. We congratulate her for this terrific achievement that represents our program and our schools so well."

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"Being a finalist is validation of the hard work I have put in over the last three years," Milewicz said. "It feels special to have my work recognized at this step because of the prevalence of traumatic brain injuries."

"I have always been interested in neuroscience and all the unknowns of the brain," she continued. "This project was an opportunity to contribute toward discovering those unknowns. The fact that my research was recognized is rewarding. This is a step toward developing a reparative treatment for traumatic brain injuries."

Milewicz and the other finalists will participate in a week-long competition in March, during which they will undergo a rigorous judging process that goes beyond their own research to encompass other scientific disciplines and compete for more than $1.8 million in awards. They will also have the opportunity to interact with leading scientists and share their research during a virtual "Public Day" event on March 12.

"Congratulations to an exceptional group of Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023 finalists," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Co-founder, President and CSO of Regeneron, and a 1976 Science Talent Search finalist and top winner. "Inspiring and equipping the brightest minds to take on the world's most pressing issues is one of the most important ways we can ensure the scientific advancements necessary to better our society. We know the future is bright for these young scientists and are excited to see the positive impact they will make."

Each finalist is awarded at least $25,000, and the top 10 awards will range from $40,000 to $250,000.

The 2023 finalists represent 34 schools across 14 states. The full list of 40 finalists can be found here.

"We are thrilled to welcome this inspiring and highly talented class of Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists," said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News. "I am certain these extraordinary students will be following in the footsteps of our many accomplished alumni who are the forefront of breakthrough discoveries. The 2023 finalists will be using their leadership, intellect, creativity and STEM skills to solve our world's most intractable challenges."

The top 10 Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023 winners will be announced during a live-streamed awards ceremony on March 14. More than $3 million in awards will be distributed throughout the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Finalists may use their award prize money solely for educational purposes and can choose for those funds to be released directly to their college or university. The top 300 scholars, each of whom receive $2,000, may use their awards as they see fit; each of their schools are also awarded $2,000 to support math and science programs, a critical investment toward their future in STEM, and our nation's future as a hub of innovation and progress.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search, a program of the Society for Science since 1942, is the country's oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Every year, around 2,000 student entrants submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study and are judged by leading experts in their fields. Unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and around the world, the Regeneron Science Talent Search focuses on identifying, inspiring and engaging the nation's most promising young scientists who are creating the ideas that could solve society's most urgent challenges.

Many past winners continue to pursue innovation for the good of society and the planet, with program alumni receiving some of the world's most coveted science and math honors, including 13 Nobel Prizes and 22 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, as well as becoming the founders of many important science-based companies, such as Regeneron.

In 2017, Regeneron became the third sponsor of the Science Talent Search to help reward and celebrate the best and brightest young minds and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM as a way to positively impact the world. Through its 10-year, $100 million commitment, Regeneron nearly doubled the overall award distribution to $3.1 million annually, increasing the top award to $250,000 and doubling the awards for the top 300 scholars to $2,000 and their schools to $2,000 for each enrolled scholar to inspire more young people to engage in science