Leon Wang Named Connecticut’s Sole Finalist in 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search

Leon Wang, a 17-year-old student at King School in Stamford, Connecticut, has been selected as one of the top 40 finalists in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest science competition for high school seniors.

Wang is the only student from Connecticut to reach the final round in this year’s competition, which is administered by the Society for Science. According to King School, only 57 Connecticut students have ever reached the top 40 stage since the contest began in 1942.

Wang’s research was conducted at the Blanchard Lab at Mount Sinai Research Hospital in New York. His project investigated the use of two FDA-approved drugs, nintedanib and pirfenidone, originally developed for pulmonary fibrosis, to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in stem cell cultures.

The project specifically targeted Alzheimer’s disease patients with the APOE4 genetic risk factor. Wang identified that these drugs reduce TGFβ-induced damage in brain vascular cell models carrying the APOE4 variant, and his project is listed on the Society for Science’s official 2026 finalists page.

What the numbers show

• All 40 finalists in the competition receive at least $25,000 in scholarship funds
• The top award for the Regeneron Science Talent Search is $250,000
• Since 1942, 57 Connecticut students have reached the top 40 stage

As a finalist, Wang will travel to Washington, D.C., in March to present and defend his research before a panel of judges. The event also includes a public exhibition and an awards ceremony for all finalists.

This marks the first time a student from King School has reached the final round of the Regeneron Science Talent Search since the competition’s inception. The contest is recognized for highlighting scientific research by high school seniors across the United States.

In addition to his research activities, Wang is co-captain of both the math and debate teams at King School. He also co-founded Weblift, a nonprofit organization that provides free marketing services to local minority-owned small businesses.

Wang’s achievement places him among a select group of students nationwide, as the Regeneron Science Talent Search is widely regarded as a leading competition for pre-college scientific research.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.