Pictured, left to right: Ms. Jennifer Suri, Dr. Meng-Ping Tu, Hailan Chen, Vincent Chen, Rhea Malhotra, Sophia Yinghan Jin, and Principal Seung Yu.
FOUR STUYVESANT REGENERON SCHOLARS
Four Stuyvesant students—Hailan Chen, Vincent Chen, Rhea Malhotra, and Sophia Yinghan Jin—were named 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars, placing them among the top 300 students nationwide selected from approximately 2,600 entrants. Each Scholar and Stuyvesant High School received a $2,000 award.
Stuyvesant has a long history of success in the nation’s premier high school science competition. Nobel Prize winner Roald Hoffmann (’55) competed in the program as a student, and Vanessa Liu (’92) was a finalist before later helping connect Stuyvesant students with alumni mentors. In 2008, Stuyvesant led the nation with five Intel Science Talent Search finalists.
Behind these accomplishments is Stuyvesant’s Science Research Program, supervised by Ms. Jennifer Suri, with research teachers Dr. Meng-Ping Tu, Dr. Gilbert Papagayo, Mr. Jason Econome, and Ms. Ellen Schweitzer. Students conduct research at school, in outside laboratories, or at home, often with support from teachers, parents, and alumni who help open doors to research opportunities.
How PA Donations Help
Research competitions come with significant costs, including registration fees, materials, laboratory supplies, and travel. Stuyvesant students participate in local, regional, national, and international competitions such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search, Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and Invention Convention Worldwide. These expenses are not covered by the NYC Department of Education and are generally paid by families.
PA support helps make these opportunities accessible to more students and allows the Science Research Program to continue growing.
For students, the experience is about more than winning awards. As 2026 Scholar Sophia Yinghan Jin reflected, the research journey was an opportunity to learn, grow, and discover what she was capable of.
Let Science Talent Search Find Your Student
Science research at Stuyvesant begins with curiosity. A student may start with a question, a classroom conversation, or an introduction from a teacher, parent, or alumnus—and discover a path to meaningful research.
Our students consistently represent Stuyvesant at major science competitions, and their accomplishments reflect both their dedication and the support of the teachers, families, and alumni who help them along the way.
Donations at Work: Throughout the year, we’ll highlight the programs and opportunities made possible by your support.
Katie Banks ('08) (The New York Times)
