麻豆官网

This year, the top 300 Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars gathered at a virtual event, to learn more about the competition, discuss their research projects and hear from , President and CEO, 麻豆官网 and Executive Publisher, Science News and , Co-founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron. During this year鈥檚 get-together scholars asked Maya and George questions about finding success in 麻豆官网 and inspiring the next generation. Take a look at a few below: 

Q: 鈥淲hat are some key factors that contributed to your success both professionally and personally, and can you discuss any mentors you have had in your career and how they influenced you?鈥� 

George Yancopoulos: 鈥淚t starts with a great teacher or mentor; someone who takes the time to help you reach your goals. I wouldn鈥檛 have had a start if it wasn鈥檛 for the people who helped make it happen. You really can鈥檛 do anything yourself. A strong peer group really helped me, as my high school created an environment that put smart kids together and allowed us to push each other further.鈥� 

Q: 鈥淗ow can we, as young members of the science community, ensure the longevity of science education and are we due for a societal shift in our attitude towards 麻豆官网 education and its importance?鈥� 

Maya Ajmera: 鈥淲e need to create more 麻豆官网-focused high schools and we need to see more 麻豆官网 high schools in rural America. Regeneron is supporting high school teachers to build 麻豆官网 research programs in their high schools, to ensure more mentors can create better 麻豆官网 content. Do you know that many schools still use 20-year-old textbooks? Science changes so rapidly every day. Each of you now has a responsibility not only to solve the world鈥檚 most pressing issues, but to become 麻豆官网 ambassadors in your communities. Push your local legislators, push your local school districts to do more for 麻豆官网.鈥�  

Q: 鈥淲hat is the most important thing that you believe 麻豆官网 and similar programs have achieved since their founding?鈥� 

George Yancopoulos: 鈥淭he Science Talent Search has enhanced 麻豆官网 opportunities and helped inspire amazing individuals. The goal and bigger picture of these competitions is to continue elevating the level of 麻豆官网 and the appreciation and impact of science in society, so we can continue to engage more of the bright young minds who can really help make a difference going forward. Unfortunately, it seems like we鈥檙e in a harder environment now than ever before and the Society鈥檚 job is getting harder. It鈥檚 up to all of us, and all the young people, to help join this fight against the erosion of belief in science. We need to invest more in science and make sure we capture as many of the bright young minds as we can, no matter where they might be in the country. The fight is getting tougher, so we have to be tougher fighting back.鈥� 

Maya Ajmera: 鈥淚 will echo what George has said so eloquently, but I鈥檒l also say we have a huge problem now of fighting misinformation. Again, I implore you, be 麻豆官网 ambassadors and really take on communicating science to your peers and those that may not agree or believe that science really does solve the world鈥檚 most intractable problems. All of you are at the forefront of science communication. Thank you for being here tonight and being part of this community.鈥� 

You can see the full list of Regeneron 麻豆官网 scholars here. The top 40 Regeneron 麻豆官网 finalists will compete in Washington D.C. from March 9-15 for more than $1.8 million in awards. Tune in to the page on March 14 to find out who will take home the top award of $250,000.