Onyekachukwu Ndika is a 15-year-old sophomore from Long Island, New York, with a deep passion for science and medicine and aspirations to pursue a career in the field. She actively participates in Science Research, focusing on developing cost-effective solutions to global challenges. Beyond academics, Onyekachukwu is highly engaged in leadership and service within his school and community. She is currently serves as sophomore class president and secretary of the student council, while also holding the position of treasurer of the Healthcare Career Club. In addition, she is a student leader on his school’s Student Equity Team. This past year, Onyekachukwu participated in the New York Junior Academy of Sciences, where she collaborated with international peers to design a biosensor-integrated green roof for predicting and monitoring air quality. She is also a representative of the Columbia University State Pre-College Enrichment Program, where she learns advanced science concepts from graduate students and professors. Through these experiences, Onyekachukwu demonstrates his dedication to scientific inquiry, leadership, and making meaningful contributions to his community and beyond.

The student research team from Hereford High School, a rural public school in Maryland, brings together diverse backgrounds and interests to pursue high-impact studies in biochemistry. In partnership with Stevenson University, the team conducted original investigations into novel cisplatin analogs, evaluating ruthenium and iron complexes as potentially safer alternatives to traditional chemotherapy. Despite limited access to advanced research opportunities in their rural community, the students established strong collaborations with university mentors and gained hands-on experience in fluorescence-based assays, drug synthesis, and cancer biology. Beyond their own project, they launched the Scientific Pathways Initiative, designed to create opportunities for other Hereford High School students to engage in research across disciplines under the guidance of Stevenson faculty. By proving that students from underserved settings can meaningfully contribute to cutting-edge science, the team seeks to inspire the next generation of young researchers to pursue discovery and innovation.

Shriya, a senior at Dulles High School in Texas, is an aspiring molecular biologist with a long-term vision of becoming a neurosurgeon. Her interest in medicine and neuroscience was first inspired by the extraordinary case of Phineas Gage, which sparked her curiosity about the intricate relationship between the brain and behavior. Since then, she has been passionate about exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive neurological disorders, particularly brain tumors. Through research, Shriya has been able to merge her two greatest academic interests—neuroscience and molecular biology. In addition to her academic pursuits, Shriya is a multi-talented individual with a strong appreciation for the arts. She finds joy and creative expression through dance and singing, which balance her rigorous scientific interests with a sense of rhythm, movement, and harmony. Beyond the classroom and stage, she is also an avid Formula 1 enthusiast, captivated by the precision, strategy, and innovation that the sport represents. This blend of scientific curiosity, artistic creativity, and enthusiasm for high-performance challenges reflects her well-rounded personality.

Ashwita Ramanavelan is an 8th-grade student at Basis Plano High School with a strong passion for artificial intelligence, research, and technology-driven social impact. She is the founder and director of TECspire, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering students to explore STEM innovations, and serves as the CEO of INKspire, where she leads initiatives that promote creativity and knowledge sharing. Her notable projects include EmotionSense, an AI- and Raspberry Pi–based tool designed to support children with autism, and a Microplastic Detection Machine Learning Initiative, developed in collaboration with STEAM Talks, to protect marine ecosystems. Selected for the Global Youth Program 2025, Ashwita aspires to harness the potential of AI to advance environmental sustainability, healthcare innovation, and inclusive education. Through her leadership and initiatives, she aims to inspire young minds to embrace technology as a force for meaningful social good.