Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Fair

06/02/2026

Read their inspiring story here: https://www.austintexas.gov/climate/sustainable-austin-blog/net-zero-heroes-ruhan-gupta-and-varun-sanghavi

🌳🏆 From GARSEF to Net-Zero Heroes!

We’re incredibly proud of GARSEF students Ruhan Gupta and Varun Sanghavi, who earned 2nd Place at our regional science fair and are now being recognized by Austin Climate Action and Resilience as Net-Zero Heroes for their innovative work protecting our urban forests. 🌎💡

Their project, WiltCast, uses machine learning and decades of environmental data to predict the spread of oak wilt, a devastating disease that threatens oak trees across Texas. Inspired by the loss of a tree in Ruhan’s own yard, these talented young scientists turned a local challenge into a solution with the potential to help communities across the state. (City of Austin)

Congratulations, Ruhan and Varun, for demonstrating how student research can create real-world impact. Your dedication, innovation, and passion for solving environmental challenges embody the very best of STEM education!

Read their inspiring story here: https://www.austintexas.gov/climate/sustainable-austin-blog/net-zero-heroes-ruhan-gupta-and-varun-sanghavi

Meet our new Net-Zero Heroes: Ruhan Gupta and Varun Sanghavi, two high school juniors from Westwood High School who are using machine learning to fight one of Austin's most devastating urban forest threats: oak wilt.

05/25/2026

Congratulations to Amrit Yadav of in on his incredible success at ISEF 2026! 🎉🌟

Amrit earned 4th Place in Translational Medical Science for his groundbreaking research focused on personalized medical implant technology. Competing against some of the world’s top young scientists and engineers, his achievement reflects an extraordinary level of innovation, dedication, and scientific excellence.

His project showcased how advanced computational modeling and biomedical engineering can help create more precise and personalized healthcare solutions for the future. Through his hard work and creativity, Amrit represented his school, community, and Texas with distinction on the international stage.

We are incredibly proud of Amrit and excited to see the impact his research and future contributions will have on science, medicine, and technology! 🚀🔬

05/25/2026

✨ Last but certainly not least, we are proud to spotlight the final two members of our incredible group of 9 GARSEF students advancing to the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2026! 🌎🔬

👏 David Pan (BCHM005)
Project: Decoding Plastic Waste: AI-Guided Engineering of PETase Mutants for Enhanced PET Plastic Bioremediation

👏 Sahana Pandey (BCHM037)
Project: Targeting Pathological Neurotransmission Dynamics through De Novo Regulatory Modulation to Suppress Glioma Progression

The Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world’s largest international STEM research competition for high school students, bringing together the brightest young scientists, engineers, and innovators from across the globe. Earning a place at ISEF is an extraordinary accomplishment and reflects months — and often years — of dedication, curiosity, and groundbreaking research.

David and Sahana have demonstrated exceptional talent, innovation, and commitment to scientific discovery, and we are thrilled to see them represent our region on the international stage.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students!🌟

05/16/2026

We are excited to introduce 3 more exceptional student innovators representing Texas at Regeneron ISEF 2026! 🌟

From breakthroughs in biomedical engineering to technology designed to improve accessibility and communication, these students are using creativity, research, and innovation to tackle meaningful real-world challenges. Their projects showcase the incredible talent and dedication of the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Please join us in celebrating Uma Sthanu, Aiden Singh, and Arnav Malhotra as they represent their schools, communities, and Texas on the international stage at the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition! 🚀🔬

✨ Uma Sthanu of Westwood High School in Round Rock ISD is competing in Biomedical Engineering with BMED015 —Biomedical and Health Sciences
Glia-Neuron GPCR Signaling as a Therapeutic Route to Axon Regeneration: cAMP-PKA Activation Elevates Excitability and Regrowth in Neurons

✨ Aiden Singh and Arnav Malhotra, two talented student innovators representing Texas at Regeneron ISEF 2026 with their Embedded Systems project, EGSD007T — Sustainable Materials and Design
Carnot-Guided Warm-Optimization of Dilution Refrigerators: A Reduction in the Electrical and Material Cost Drivers in Quantum Computing

05/13/2026

Meet Arnav Shandilya, who is from Westlake High School in Eanes ISD and is representing Texas at Regeneron ISEF 2026 with his Mathematics project, “Invariant-Guided Exploration of the Weyl Chamber for Universal Quantum Gate Discovery.”

Arnav’s research explores the mathematics behind quantum computing — a revolutionary type of computing that could one day solve problems far beyond the reach of today’s computers. Using advanced mathematical models, he studied how quantum gates interact and how new pathways could improve the efficiency and power of quantum systems.

By combining abstract mathematics with cutting-edge quantum science, Arnav is helping unlock new possibilities for the future of computing, cybersecurity, and technology innovation.

05/12/2026

Meet Adheesh Chincholi, who is from Westwood High School in Round Rock ISD and is representing Texas at Regeneron ISEF 2026 with his Chemistry project, “Computational Modeling of DNA Origami for Effective Anticancer Drug Delivery to Glioma Cells.”

His research focuses on using DNA — the same material that carries our genetic code — as a tiny programmable delivery system for cancer treatment. By designing and modeling microscopic DNA structures, Adheesh is exploring how medicines could be delivered more precisely to aggressive brain cancer cells while reducing harmful side effects on healthy tissue.

Blending chemistry, computer modeling, and biomedical innovation, Adheesh’s work could help shape the future of smarter, targeted cancer therapies and personalized medicine.

05/12/2026

Meet Amrit Yadav, who is from Vista Ridge High School in Leander ISD and is representing Texas at Regeneron ISEF 2026 with his Computational Biology and Bioinformatics project, “From MRI to Implant: Development of an Open-Source Computational Pipeline for Patient-Specific 3D Voronoi Meniscus Scaffold Generation with Anisotropic Voxel Correction and Regional Tribological Gradients.”

His project focuses on creating personalized knee implants using advanced computer modeling and 3D design techniques. By transforming MRI scans into customized implant structures, Amrit’s research could help improve treatments for knee injuries while making medical solutions more precise and accessible for patients in the future.

Combining biomedical engineering, computer science, and healthcare innovation, Amrit is helping push the boundaries of personalized medicine and next-generation medical technology.

05/12/2026

Meet Navnith Naveen Prabhu of Round Rock High School in Round Rock ISD who is representing Texas at Regeneron ISEF 2026 with his Materials Science project, “Biopolymer-Based Microcarriers for Controlled Nutrient Release: A Sustainable Alternative to Commercial Fertilizers.”

His project explores a smarter and more environmentally friendly way to help plants grow by creating tiny biodegradable carriers that slowly release nutrients over time. Instead of traditional fertilizers that can wash away and pollute waterways, Navnith’s approach could make farming more efficient, sustainable, and eco-friendly.

By combining materials science with real-world agricultural challenges, Navnith is developing innovative solutions that could help support the future of sustainable food production.

05/11/2026

GARSEF Students Compete at Regeneron ISEF in Phoenix, AZ 2026

Oh, hey, guess what? Our GARSEF students are headed to the world stage. Our outstanding student researchers are representing our community at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, or ISEF, in Phoenix, Arizona. This is often called the Olympics of science fairs because every year almost two thousand students from over sixty countries, regions, and territories earn the opportunity to compete, making this the largest science competition. These incredible GARSEF finalists have already distinguished themselves through months, sometimes years, of research, innovation, problem-solving, and dedication. From engineering and environmental science to biomedical research and artificial intelligence, they are showcasing projects designed to make a real-world impact. So over the next several days, we'll introduce you to each of our amazing students as they share their research, inspiration, and experiences representing GARSEF on the global stage. The competition's gonna conclude with the grand award ceremony on Friday, May 15, where the top student researchers in the world will be recognized, and >7 million of dollars in scholarships and awards will be presented. Join us in celebrating these future scientists, engineers, innovators, and leaders as they compete alongside the best young minds in the world.

04/21/2026

🔬✨ Science fair is more than just experiments and presentations—it’s where students build skills that last a lifetime. Through the process, they develop confidence in public speaking, resilience through trial and error, critical thinking, time management, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. It’s a hands-on journey that challenges students to think independently, solve real problems, and grow as leaders.

But did you know? 👇
💰 Many GARSEF awards include cash prizes + recognition
🌍 The biggest long-term value comes from ISEF qualification and high-prestige honors
🚀 While direct internships are rare at this level, these achievements open doors to future opportunities, research, and careers in STEM

And this year, our GARSEF students proved exactly what’s possible…

🌟 GARSEF STUDENTS SHINE AT TXSEF 2026! 🌟

Our GARSEF students delivered an extraordinary performance at the Texas Science & Engineering Fair (TXSEF) at Texas A&M University in College Station—earning top honors across nearly every category and division.

🏆 STATE CHAMPION & ISEF FINALIST
Sahana Pandey (Vandegrift HS) earned 1st Place in Biochemistry and advances to the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF)!

🥇 SENIOR DIVISION – 1ST PLACE WINNERS
Sahana Pandey, Uma Sthanu, Adheesh Chincholi, Krishiv Potluri, Abhay Tippimath, and Jack Mueller

🥈 SENIOR DIVISION – 2ND PLACE HONOREES
Aariz Karim-Ali, Pratyush Senthil, Ishaan Kumar, and Isaac Lin

🥉 SENIOR DIVISION – 3RD PLACE HONOREES
David Pan, Amrit Yadav, Diya Venkataragavan, and Shruti Sivaraman

🚀 SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS (SENIOR DIVISION)
Ashley Kim, Sara Rajpathak, Nainika Mundluru, Ridouane Akrab, and Ayman Lough

🔬 JUNIOR DIVISION – 1ST PLACE WINNERS
Ishaan Raj, Abdullah Zakaria, Aarav Singh, Taheem Mustaneer, Anahita Patra, Arya Hirsave, and Srivibhav Amirisetty

🌟 SPECIAL RECOGNITION
👏 Arya Hirsave – Best of State Honorable Mention (Life Sciences)

🥈 JUNIOR DIVISION – 2ND PLACE HONOREES
Jaxon Baharudin, Amogh Bharadwaj, Govind Iyer, and Sudarshan Rangarajan

🥉 JUNIOR DIVISION – 3RD PLACE HONOREES
A***n Patel, Aditya Ariq, Rayaan Waheed, and Saathvik Sowmyanarayanan

🎉 ADDITIONAL SPECIAL AWARD WINNER (JUNIOR DIVISION)
Arham Khan

👏 We are incredibly proud of every GARSEF student who represented our region with innovation, dedication, and excellence. The future of STEM is bright—and it starts right here.

The home site of the Greater Austin Regional Science and Engineering Science Fair and Austin Science Foundation