High-school students are making strides in cancer research: ‘Gives me hope'

Six high-school students who were finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search are dedicated to cancer research. They shared accomplishments and motivations with Fox News Digital.

Christopher Zorn, 17, is a senior at Irvington High School in New York.  (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Zorn, third from left, is pictured with other finalists on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Zorn, a finalist in the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search, is pictured with some of his research. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) "Cancer research allows me to explore my academic interests in genetics and molecular biology while granting a rare opportunity for a high school student to make a valuable humanitarian impact," Zorn told Fox News Digital. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Being named a finalist in the competition was an "honor," said Zorn, pictured with his parents at the ceremony. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Looking ahead, Zorn plans to pursue a career involving molecular biology and genetics. (Christopher Zorn) "The direction cancer research is going in gives me hope." William Gao, 18, first became interested in cancer after three of his grandparents lost their lives to the disease. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Gao, a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, is pictured on the steps of the Capitol. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Gao developed an diagnostic support and image analysis tool built with artificial intelligence. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Gao is pictured with his parents at the awards ceremony. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) In college, Gao hopes to further explore the intersection between AI and medicine.  (William Gao) Gao is pictured presenting some of his research. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) "The best way to learn is by getting your feet wet and getting into research as soon as possible." Sophie Gao, 17, is a high-school senior at Hunter College High School in New York City. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Gao, pictured with her parents, was a finalist based on her research into fighting a treatment-resistant mutation that's been found in some of the world’s deadliest cancers. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Gao is pictured presenting some of her research. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) After high school, Gao hopes to study science history in college before pursuing a career in medicine and science journalism.  (Sophie Gao) Gao has been "fascinated" with biology and cellular diseases since her freshman year, she said. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) "Science is about pushing really, really hard against the boundaries of human knowledge, in hopes of making a tiny dent." A senior at Westview High School in Portland, Oregon, Ekansh Mittal, 17, identified genes responsible for drug resistance in breast cancer chemotherapy treatments.  (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Mittal is pictured presenting some of his research. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Mittal's research could potentially lead to more effective breast cancer treatments by addressing drug resistance, according to Regeneron. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Mittal is pictured on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) "We are at the cusp of some really great breakthrough discoveries," said Mittal, pictured at the Science Talent Search awards ceremony. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) After graduation, Mittal plans to pursue his Ph.D. in computational biology and to work as a researcher and entrepreneur.  (Ekansh Mittal) "One day, I hope to find cures for devastating diseases and bring them to people worldwide." Thomas Yu-Tong Cong, 17, a senior at Ossining High School in New York, investigated the rapid growth of certain cancers and whether metabolism is primarily controlled by genetics.  (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Based on his research, Cong landed in second place in the competition and won $175,000. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Cong presents some of his research. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Cong accepts his award at the ceremony in Washington, D.C. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Cong, right, is pictured with two other finalists in Washington, D.C. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) "Cancer research is at a bright spot now." Sophie Chen, a senior at Caddo Parish Magnet High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, is pictured at the Capitol. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) The daughter of a pathologist, Chen was exposed firsthand to the complexities of cancer research. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) What excites Chen most is the rapid evolution of cancer treatments to improve patient outcomes and minimize side effects, she said. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) Chen is pictured on stage at the awards ceremony for the Regeneron Science Talent Search in Washington, D.C. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) "I want to work alongside others in producing applications like drug discovery algorithms or AI circuit-based therapeutics," Chen said. (Society for Science/Chris Ayers Photography) "I strive to harness the power of AI to drive transformative change." "Never underestimate the impact your dedication and hard work can have on improving the well-being of others." Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.

The students were finalists in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search, which is the country’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition hosted by the Society for Science in Washington, D.C.