Hollywood Spotlight: Chattanooga-area Students Shine on Global Stage

Two local high school students from Chattanooga, undoubtedly shone in the recent Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which was held in Los Angeles. The two representatives, Joshua Kim and Rachel Chen proved that Chattanooga has a wealth of talent to offer to the world.

From Chattanooga to Global Recognition

Rising McCallie School junior, Joshua Kim, and recently graduated May 2024 Baylor School student, Rachel Chen, catapulted themselves into international recognition after participating in a competition hosted by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Their remarkable achievement began when they were named as the Senior Division winners at this year’s Chattanooga Regional Science and Engineering Fair (CRSEF). Given their exceptional talent, they were selected to present their innovative projects at the global stage of ISEF.

A Showcase of Young Talent

The recent Regeneron ISEF 2024, organized by the Society for Science, was a grand event that featured around 2,000 young scientists hailing from 49 US states and almost 70 countries, regions, and territories across the world.

The event was not only a showcase of young talent, but also a massive opportunity for students to win awards and scholarships worthy of almost $9 million.

Chattanooga Representatives in the Limelight

Joshua Kim with his project titled “Accelerating Breast Cancer Diagnoses: Leveraging Machine Learning to Accurately Predict Breast Cancer” attracted plenty of attention and earned him an ISEF Special Award. This award translated into a full scholarship to a summer 2025 research camp hosted by the North Carolina State University College of Engineering, undoubtedly a well-deserved honor for his hard work.

On the other hand, Rachel Chen diligently presented her project, “Transgenerational Effects of Atrazine on Caenorhabditis elegans Brood Size”. Chen’s research delved deep into the environmental implications of the chemical Atrazine on future generations of a specific small worm species. Chen, passionate about resolving critical environmental issues, has made Chattanooga proud with her dedication.

A Gateway for Future Innovators

Both Joshua Kim and Rachel Chen had embarked on their journey to ISEF from the CRSEF competition held in March. This event was an exceptional gateway for over 100 middle and high school students of Chattanooga to showcase their innovative projects.

The Regional competition embodied the spirit of scientific inquiry and collaboration among the students and instilled in them, a belief that their research is truly valuable.

Assuredly, the journey of Kim and Chen are eye-opening examples for local students. They have shown that participating in regional competitions like CRSEF not only brings recognition but also presents immense opportunities for scholarships and potential future patent rights.

Despite the challenges that come with balancing exams, graduation, and other commitments, making a mark on a global platform like ISEF is unquestionably worth it. The young scientists of Chattanooga have undoubtedly shown that they have what it takes to shine on the global stage.

Acknowledgement

The exceptional journey of these young achievers would not have been possible without the relentless support of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and its dedicated team of faculty members. Their guidance and mentorship have been instrumental in turning dreams into reality for these budding young scientists.

Final Words

The spectacular achievement of Joshua Kim and Rachel Chen serves as an inspiration to all students in Chattanooga and across the globe. They have shown that with hard work, dedication, and the right guidance, young minds can indeed shine bright on the global stage.

The victory of these two young scientists is not an end but rather a beginning, a bright beacon for the future innovators of Chattanooga.

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