North Gwinnett News

A student from Paul Duke STEM High School has been recognized as one of the top teenage scientists globally by the Society for Science. Chloe Au, a senior at the school, was named among the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) competition. Her research project, "The Role of Myc in Tunicate Central Nervous System Development," earned her this recognition.

“It was shocking to be recognized. It feels good to know that others found value in my work,” Au stated. She collaborated with a professor at Georgia Tech during a summer internship with their Neuroscience Department. Au's interest in neurodegeneration research and potential therapies is driven by family experiences, and she has engaged in multiple projects on this topic throughout high school.

The STS scholars were chosen from nearly 2,500 entrants from 795 high schools across various U.S. states and territories, as well as 14 other countries. The 300 selected scholars come from American and international high schools located in 33 states, Washington D.C., China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Switzerland. Chloe is one of three scholars representing Georgia. Each scholar and their school will receive a $2,000 award for their achievements.

“We are extremely proud of Chloe. She is an exceptional student, and she is well deserving of the recognition received,” said Paul Duke STEM Principal Dr. Jonathon Wetherington. He highlighted that Chloe's accomplishments demonstrate the potential high school students have when given opportunities to engage with advanced research projects.