CHAPEL HILL, NC – Linden James, a senior at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, placed fifth in the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
James, along with three other NCSSM seniors, was chosen as finalists in the national competition.
When finalists were announced James said “I just couldn’t stop screaming. I was just looking around me like in disbelief. I didn’t think I would get that far.”
James’ project researched whether a thyroid hormone could treat traumatic brain injuries. Their project used caterpillars, giving them concussions, and using the hormone to treat them.
James says the reason they went into this research is because of the sports they’ve played growing up and their family history of neurodegenerative disorders. They wanted to focus on treating these injuries as most measures are centered on prevention.
Those who placed within the top ten went home with monetary prizes. James’ fifth place ranking won them $90,000 to be spent on academic endeavors. James has applied to several universities both in state and internationally and is waiting to hear back before deciding where to attend.
James is grateful for the money but the winning fifth place means more to them than that.
“It was incredible for me because no one at the NC School of Science and Math had ever placed in the top 10 before. We had finalists, but never that, and especially as a non-binary person. It was really important to me that I’d be represented.
