Leon Wang Named Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 Finalist
Leon Wang ’26 has been named a 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 Finalist, placing him among the nation’s most accomplished high school science researchers. Selected from nearly 2,000 applicants nationwide, Leon was recognized for his advanced research on Alzheimer’s disease conducted through King’s advanced science research program, ASPIRE.
The news arrived unexpectedly. Leon rushed into Director of Science Research Victoria Schulman’s office with five missed calls from a Washington, D.C., phone number, and when the phone rang again, they braced themselves. Schulman instinctively grabbed her phone to record the moment. When the call confirmed Leon had made the Top 40, the two erupted in celebration, sharing a moment that quickly became legendary within the ASPIRE community.
Leon joins an elite group of just 57 Connecticut students to reach the Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 40 since 1942 and is the first student from an independent school in the state to do so in recent years. It is also the first time a King student has earned this distinction, marking a historic milestone for the school’s elite science research program.
“My work for Regeneron builds on the research I’ve been doing at Mount Sinai through ASPIRE,” Leon said. “When I finally analyzed the data from my first successful drug experiment, I realized that the drugs I was testing could have a real medical impact on patients. Being named a Top 40 Finalist in a national competition that has launched the careers of Nobel laureates and leading scientists brings both the responsibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the field of neuroscience.”
Administered by the Society for Science, Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors. Advancement to the Top 40 represents the final stage of the competition and recognizes students whose research demonstrates exceptional originality, depth, and scientific promise.
“Leon’s achievement now cements King School as a fierce force to be reckoned with in the field of science research,” said Schulman. “We have now placed in and competed in every level of every competition available to our students, from local, state, and regional competitions to national and international competitions as well.”
Through ASPIRE, Leon pursued laboratory-based research focused on Alzheimer’s disease while working with the Blanchard Lab at Mount Sinai Research Hospital in New York. His work examined potential treatments for patients with the APOE4 genetic risk factor, the most common genetic contributor to Alzheimer’s disease.
By identifying biological similarities between Alzheimer’s disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Leon investigated whether two FDA-approved pulmonary fibrosis drugs could be repurposed to slow Alzheimer’s progression. His findings showed reduced disease progression in stem cell cultures carrying the APOE4 variant, pointing to promising directions for future research.
Leon has presented his work at national science forums, including the International Forum on Research Excellence hosted by Sigma Xi, and his research is published online as a preprint in Cell, a leading peer-reviewed biology journal, ahead of formal publication.
In addition to his research, Leon is an active member of the Math Team, Debate Team, and Ambassadors Club. His achievement reflects both his academic rigor and King’s commitment to experiential, real-world learning.
As a Top 40 Finalist, Leon will travel to Washington, D.C., in March to present and defend his research during final judging, participate in public exhibitions of projects, and attend the national awards ceremony. All finalists receive a minimum $25,000 scholarship, with top awards reaching $250,000.
“It makes me so proud and happy for Leon,” said Schulman. “He is so deserving, and the genuine look on his face at the news is heartwarming. I love seeing my students’ hard work come to fruition and lead them to amazing opportunities for them.”
The ASPIRE program is supported by the Advanced Mathematics and Science Study Program endowed fund, established in 2018 by Margharet, Frank, Bea, and William Nash to support students with demonstrated ability and interest in advanced STEM research, laboratory experiences, and national and global scientific competitions.