A Paul Duke STEM High School student has been named one of the top teenage scientists in the world by the Society for Science. Chloe Au, a senior at Paul Duke STEM High, made the list of the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) competition. Chloe earned her place in the competition with her research project titled, “The Role of Myc in Tunicate Central Nervous System Development.”       

    “It was shocking to be recognized. It feels good to know that others found value in my work,” Au shares. “I collaborated with a professor at Georgia Tech [Georgia Institute of Technology], who allowed me to do a summer internship with the school’s Neuroscience Department. Based on family experiences, I have interest in neurodegeneration research and potential therapies. Throughout my high school experience, I have engaged in multiple projects focused on neurodegeneration.”  

     The STS scholars were selected from nearly 2,500 entrants representing 795 high schools across 48 states, American Samoa, Guam, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 14 other countries. The 300 scholars come from 200 American and international high schools located in 33 states, Washington, D.C., China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Switzerland. Chloe is one of three scholars from Georgia. Each of the 300 students and their respective schools will receive a $2,000 award. Scholars in this competition are chosen based on their exceptional research, leadership, innovation, and community involvement. The STS recognizes students who demonstrate the potential to develop groundbreaking solutions to some of the world’s most pressing scientific challenges.       

    “We are extremely proud of Chloe. She is an exceptional student, and she is well deserving of the recognition received,” says Paul Duke STEM Principal Dr. Jonathon Wetherington. “The work that Chloe has done just shows that high school students hold great potential when provided with opportunities to engage with advanced research projects. I am grateful for the partnerships that our school has, which make this work possible. Chloe was able to take her curiosity and passion for neuroscience and learn a great deal while contributing to the scientific community.”