SHHS Senior is Semifinalist in Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024

Society for Science (the Society) has announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024, one of which being Joseph Weitzen, a student at Sleepy Hollow High School.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors, is owned and produced by the Society. Established in 1921, the Society is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, and its outreach and equity programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM.

Since 1942, the Society has played a significant role in educating the public about scientific discoveries. 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.

Each year, more than 2,000 student entrants submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study and are judged by leading experts in their fields. This year, the Science Talent Search received the most applicants in more than five decades.

“Congratulations to the top 300 scholars in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News. “We received a record-breaking number of applications this year; interest in this prestigious competition is at an all-time high. I am truly impressed by the quality of the projects and the ingenuity that each student brings to the competition. Their diligence, passion, and perseverance should be celebrated.”

Weitzen’s project "Discovery and Validation of Tumor-Specific and Tumor-Associated HLA-Presented Peptides in Glioblastoma for use in Immunotherapeutics," earned him a spot among 300 scholars chosen to compete against one another on January 24, 2024. Weitzen and Sleepy Hollow High School will each be awarded $2,000.

“The research process was definitely a challenge. Learning the extensive background information necessary was one of the most difficult academic hurdles I've ever completed, but I had two great mentors that guided me through the process,” said Weitzen. “I spent two full summers conducting complex lab procedures that were tedious, but extremely interesting and rewarding.”

At the competition in January, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. “We are so proud of Joseph for earning a spot among the top 300 scholars! His passion to improve the lives of those with glioblastoma drives him. I have no doubt that he will continue to make significant contributions to the field of science in the future,” said Michele Zielinski, Science Teacher at Sleepy Hollow High School. At the event, the finalists will compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a week-long competition in Washington, D.C., taking place March 6-13, 2024.

"Words cannot begin to capture how proud we are of Joseph Weitzen. Reaching this level of success in Science Research is almost like being asked to compete at the Olympics for your country. Science Research students are among the brightest and most hard-working in their respective schools and regions. To qualify for this level of competition means that you have not only done outstanding and compelling work, but that you are pushing the edges of scientific discovery,” said Dr. Deborah Brand, Principal of Sleepy Hollow High School. “Joseph’s success is a testament to his individual efforts and the wonderful support he gets through his teachers, classmates, mentors and family members. We are sure that this recognition is just the beginning of a long line of accomplishments that Joseph is bound to achieve and are honored to have helped in facilitating his success."

Throughout its history, the competition’s alumni have been honored with 13 Nobel Prizes, 11 National Medals of Science, six Breakthrough Prizes, 21 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships and two Fields Medals.