Stony Brook University faculty are making significant contributions to develop young scientific talent, mentoring top scholars in the 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search (Regeneron STS) competition. Among this year’s mentors is Dr. Xiaojun Bi, an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Dr. Bi's guidance led to the recognition of Kaiyan Ling, a student from Cherry Hill High School East in New Jersey, as one of the top 300 scholars in this year's competition. Ling's project, titled "Model Touch Pointing and Detect Parkinson's Disease via a Mobile Game," showcases the fundamental role computer science can play in healthcare diagnostics. 

Since 1997, nearly 600 semifinalists have been mentored by Stony Brook faculty in Regeneron STS, the nation’s oldest science and math competition for high school seniors. Many of these students participated through the Simons Summer Research Program, which prepares students for competitive scientific fields.This year's competition featured nearly 2,500 applicants from 795 high schools across 48 states and 14 countries. The scholars are vying for over $1.8 million in awards, further highlighting Stony Brook's impactful mentorship and leadership in STEM education. 

Read the full story here. 

-By Yuganshu Jain