Senior Rachel Huth Wins International Engineering Award

Huntington High School senior Rachel Huth capped off an incredible year by capturing a special third place prize and $2,000 cash stipend in the Environmental Engineering category of the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona.

The competition featured more than 1,700 young STEM students, representing more than 67 countries, regions, and territories. The Society for Science announced special awards of Regeneron ISEF 2026. Student winners are ninth through twelfth graders who earned the right to compete at Regeneron ISEF 2026 by winning a top prize at a local, regional, state or national science fair. Ms. Huth won the Long Island division of the competition.

Ms. Huth’s project was titled: “Design and Evaluation of an Energy-Efficient CO2 Capture System Utilizing Sodium Hydroxide for Ammonium Bicarbonate Fertilizer Synthesis.” She intends to study environmental engineering at Duke University.

“The key to my success has been working hard for the things I care about in school, extra-curriculars, and more,” Ms. Huth said. “The following are things I most enjoyed throughout high school: my science research class and experience; my musical events and performances; learning about things I love, and the people I met along the way.”

The recipient of a National Merit Commendation, Ms. Huth is a two time All-State vocalist selection, an All-State soloist and also an All-State pick in viola. She advanced to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair behind the power of her novel Carleon Capture Device.

“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News. “These students never fail to inspire me. They come from different backgrounds, different disciplines, and different corners of the world, and they are taking on some of our most urgent challenges with rigor, imagination, and determination. At a moment when bold thinking is needed most, they are proof of what’s possible. I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future.”

Regeneron ISEF brings together the world’s most promising young scientists and engineers to showcase research with real-world impact. Through this competition, Regeneron and the Society are fostering the next generation of STEM leaders who are helping to solve real-world challenges to improve our world.

“Congratulations to the extraordinary young scientists of Regeneron ISEF 2026,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-Founder, co-Chairman, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron. “My own scientific journey began in high school, supported by great teachers, driven by a fearless youthful belief that I could cure my grandmother’s disease, and inspired by the excitement and challenge of science competitions. I continue to believe that the best hope for overcoming the greatest threats facing humanity lies in inspiring brilliant young minds to take on these challenges. That’s why Regeneron proudly invests hundreds of millions of dollars in programs like ISEF and the Science Talent Search. We’re celebrating not only what these students have already achieved, but the extraordinary impact we know they’ll have next.”