Lincroft, NJ -- High Technology High School (HTHS) seniors Suchit Basineni and Vishrut Thoutam were recognized as top young scientists by the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), the oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The competition aims to empower students who are already generating innovative solutions to significant global challenges through rigorous research and discoveries by providing a forum to present and discuss ideas.
Basineni presented an original, independent research project titled “El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation Impact on Hurricanes in the North Atlantic Basin.” He conducted a computer science project in the field of meteorology to develop a way to predict the impact of El Niño and the resulting changes in the temperature of the Pacific Ocean and the variability of temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and its impact on hurricanes in the North Atlantic Basin.
“It is a great honor to be recognized as one of the top young scientists in the nation,” Basineni said. “My passion for weather and climate is well known at HTHS and the teachers at High Technology High School have been very encouraging and supportive of my research, and it feels great to be rewarded for doing something I love.”
Thoutam presented a research project titled “ProtDiff: Function-Conditioned Masked Diffusion Models for Robust Directed Protein Generation.” He developed an artificial intelligence-based model he calls ProtDiff to generate novel, stable protein sequences that conform to specified functional constraints. ProtDiff not only advances state-of-the-art protein design but also opens new avenues for explainable and targeted protein generation for drug discovery applications.
“I want to thank Regeneron for this honor,” Thoutam said. “It’s exciting to work on a project that could advance science and help in the discovery of new ways to treat diseases. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and for this award.”
As honorees, Basineni and Thoutam each received a $2,000 reward, and HTHS, part of Monmouth County Vocational School District (MSVSD), received $4,000.
"We are extremely proud of Suchit and Vishrut for being selected as Regeneron STS Scholars,” said HTHS Principal Teresa Hough "Having two of our students earn this honor ties directly to our mission of preparing students to become proactive and creative problem solvers, effective communicators, and tomorrow's leaders."
Scholars were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as STEM leaders demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays and recommendations.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from nearly 2,500 entrants from 795 high schools. The 300 scholars hail from 200 American and international high schools and homeschools in 33 states, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Switzerland.
About MCVSD
MCVSD operates six full-time Career Academies. In addition to HTHS, offerings include the Academy of Allied Health and Science, Academy of Law and Public Safety, Biotechnology High School, Communications High School, and Marine Academy of Science and Technology. Each welcomes students as freshmen and retains those students through their senior year of high school, for a focused learning experience that helps them take meaningful steps toward their college and career goals.
MCVSD also operates more than 30 shared-time programs, a Career Center for students with special needs and adult programs. Questions about the admissions process for the MCVSD Career Academies or any other career and technical education program offered by MCVSD should be directed to applications@ctemc.org.
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Photo Caption:
Suchit Basineni (left) and Vishrut Thoutam, seniors at High Technology High School, were recognized among the nation’s best young scientists by the Regeneron Science Telent Search.