On May 14 and 15, winners were announced in the 76th annual International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition. Student winners are 9th-12th graders who earned the right to compete at the Regeneron ISEF 2026 fair by winning a top prize at a regional, state, or national science fair.

This year, nearly 1,700 high school students from 60 countries, regions, and territories were awarded the opportunity to showcase their independent research and compete for more than $7 million in prizes.

Plano ISD had six projects advance to the international competition by the Dallas Regional Science and Engineering Fair (DRSEF) and the Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TxSEF). Four projects captured category grand awards. Of those, three earned fourth place and one placed first. Additionally, four projects received special awards.

Grand Awards

First Award of $6,000

Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics

Ana Spiride, Plano East Senior High School, Handtalk: A Translation System for American Sign Language

Fourth Award of $600

Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design

Arya Gurumukhi, Plano East Senior High School, The Bionic Leaf: Developing a Novel Self-Healing, Bi-Functional Manganese Oxide Catalyst to Use with the Bacterium Ralstonia eutropha for Sustainable Ethanol Production

Microbiology

Ananya Nagendra, Plano East Senior High School, ANTatomy: Utilizing Ants to Mitigate MSW Landfill-Generated Methane Production through Novel Aerobic Digester System for Anthropogenic Food Waste Decomposition

Microbiology

Vijay Shivnani, Plano West Senior High School, Characterizing Chlamydial Cytotoxins as Inflammatory Modulators: C. muridarum and C. trachomatis Putative Glycosyltransferase Activity and NF-kappa B Regulation

Special Awards

American Chemical Society

The American Chemical Society Education Division promotes excellence in science education and science literacy through several activities supporting teachers and learners of chemistry. Through its participation in Regeneron ISEF, ACS encourages and supports high school students in their exploration of the chemical sciences through research experiences.

Diploma of Recognition for $100

Pardhiva Penna, Plano East Senior High School, Synthesis and Chemical Stability of L-Citrulline Ethyl Ester Across Alkaline Conditions

Drug, Chemical, & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT)

The Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT) is a not-for-profit, corporate member-supported, and volunteer-led global business development association for companies engaged in the Bio/Pharmaceutical business ecosystem. The Association’s mission is to provide a diverse array of educational opportunities and industry experiences to enhance learning and create opportunities for members to expand their networks and deepen their relationships throughout the global Bio/Pharmaceutical business ecosystem.

First Award of $5,000

Vijay Shivnani, Plano West Senior High School, Characterizing Chlamydial Cytotoxins as Inflammatory Modulators: C. muridarum and C. trachomatis Putative Glycosyltransferase Activity and NF-kappa B Regulation

Qorvo

Qorvo technology has been at the heart of systems that connect, protect and power the planet for more than 30 years. As a company, they foster multiple outreach activities, focusing on building a strong foundation for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). An important pillar of the Qorvo Cares Program is promoting STEM Education, where the passions of our scientific communities are cultivated, inspired, and transferred to the next generations of young people, including our future employees, customers, and global community networks. Qorvo Innovator Award Winners will receive a framed certificate and cash scholarships. Interested winners will also receive 1 year mentorship from one of Qorvo's engineers.

Third Award of $2,000

Ana Spiride, Plano East Senior High School, HandTalk: A Translation System for American Sign Language

Robert Silence Citizen Scientist Memorial Award

The Robert Silence Citizen Scientist Memorial Award honors the legacy of a man who was both a brilliant engineer and a dedicated ISEF judge. This special award recognizes an exceptional finalist in the fields of solar energy and electric vehicles – someone whose enthusiasm spills out of the classroom and into the community.

“Citizen Scientist” Sustainability Award of $30,000

Arya Gurumukhi, Plano East Senior High School, The Bionic Leaf: Developing a Novel Self-Healing, Bi-Functional Manganese Oxide Catalyst to Use with the Bacterium Ralstonia eutropha for Sustainable Ethanol Production

In addition to award winners, the district was also represented by qualifier Aarini Sen from Plano West Senior High School. Plano ISD congratulates these students for achieving these tremendous accomplishments.