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Three seniors from Plano ISD were named to the Top 300 Scholars in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the most competitive and respected science and mathematics competitions for high school students in the United States. The announcement was made Jan. 7 by the Society for Science and the Public.
Selected from nearly 2,500 entries submitted by students across 35 states and multiple countries, the Top 300 Scholars represent the top tier of young scientific talent nationwide. Each scholar receives a $2,000 award, with an additional $2,000 granted to their school in support of STEM education.
The Plano ISD Students Making Headlines
The recognized seniors and their research projects include:
- Dhoov Bharatia, Plano Senior High School
AutoMates: Automating With Self Learning Intelligent Agents
- Ananya Nagendra, Plano East Senior High School
Utilizing AI to Reduce Methane Production From Food Waste Through Novel Anaerobic Digester Systems
- Ryan Xu, Plano West Senior High School
IDAssembler: A Neural Framework for Reconstructing 3D Part Assemblies From a Single 2D Image
Each project reflects months, and in some cases years, of independent research, problem-solving and innovation in fields ranging from artificial intelligence to environmental sustainability and engineering.
What This Recognition Means
The Regeneron Science Talent Search is widely considered a launching point for future leaders in science, technology, medicine, and engineering. Past finalists and winners have gone on to become Nobel laureates, researchers, entrepreneurs and policy leaders.
Later this month, 40 finalists will be selected from the Top 300 group and invited to Washington, D.C., where they will compete for more than $1.8 million in awards. Whether or not these Plano students advance further, their recognition already places them among the most promising young researchers in the nation.
For Plano ISD, the announcement underscores the district’s continued emphasis on academic rigor, research opportunities, and real-world learning experiences, while offering a reminder that some of the country’s most innovative ideas are taking shape right here in North Texas.
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