Walking through the project displays at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the COMAP team noticed something interesting. Mathematical modeling was showing up everywhere.

Students were using it to study environmental systems, disease progression, agriculture, financial networks, and many other topics. In many cases, the projects weren't entered in mathematics categories at all.

More than 1,700 students from around the world gathered in Phoenix to present their research, and across the competition floor, students from very different disciplines were using mathematical modeling to investigate real-world questions.

"This was my first ISEF, and the thing I keep coming back to is how often mathematical modeling turned up in projects that weren't entered in the mathematics category,” said Dr. Ben Galluzzo, COMAP’s Executive Director. “Students reached for it because it was the right way to investigate the question they actually cared about." 

Finding Mathematical Modeling in Unexpected Places

Galluzzo's observation wasn't based on a handful of projects. As the week went on, the mathematical modeling theme became impossible to miss.

Students investigating coral bleaching, disease progression, environmental systems, financial networks, and agricultural sustainability were all using modeling techniques to better understand complicated systems and evaluate potential outcomes.

Different topics, different disciplines, but often the same underlying process. Students were demonstrating what COMAP calls the mathematical modeling mindset: using data, assumptions, and critical thinking to investigate complex real-world problems and evaluate possible solutions.

As COMAP representatives spoke with students throughout the week, those common themes became even more apparent.

“What I valued most were the conversations with the students,” explained Galluzzo. “The disciplines were all over the map, but the modeling process underneath was familiar. In our competitions, we read many strong solution approaches, but we don’t have the opportunity to hear students explain them. So it was a treat to have them justify their choices in person: the assumptions, the trade-offs, the reasons one approach won out over another.”

COMAP Awards

To recognize outstanding examples of modeling, COMAP presented awards in three categories: Outstanding, Finalist, and Honorable Mention. Award recipients received combinations of cash prizes, COMAP memberships, and complimentary entry into COMAP's mathematical modeling competitions.

Outstanding Awards

EAEV054 — CorAI: Global Coral Bleaching Prediction Using Region-Specific Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Models

• Srihaan Reddy Seelam, Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, NY, New York State Science and Engineering Fair, United States of America

TMED040 — Wired for Survival: Modeling Gene Networks to Identify Resilience and Neuron Subtypes in ALS via Graphical Optimization

• Shripriya Kalbhavi, Lynbrook High School, San Jose, CA, Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship presented by the Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair Association, United States of America

TMED044 — Optimizing Alzheimer’s Treatment: A Spatiotemporal Agent-Based Model of Combination Therapy in the Hippocampus

• Polina Anfilofyev, George C. Marshall High School, Falls Church, VA, Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair, United States of America

Finalist Awards

CBIO026 — BRAINMAP-NET: A Multilayer Convolutional Neural Network-Based Tool for Clustering Glioma Mechanical Subregions Using Topological Modeling of MRE-Derived Stiffness Gradients and Curvature

• Nikita Priya Kumar, Herricks High School, New Hyde Park, NY, Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, United States of America

CBIO083 — Evaluating Quantum Game Theory as a Modeling Approach for Alectinib-Fibroblast Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Evolutionary Dynamics

• Johan Bijiyos, International Baccalaureate School at Bartow High, Lakeland, FL, Polk Region Science and Engineering Fair, United States of America

EAEV025 — Hurricane Forecasting Using Comprehensive Multivariable Machine Learning Modeling with Atmospheric Temperatures, Polar Motion, and Sunspot Numbers

• Vedant Balani, Jericho High School, Jericho, NY, Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, United States of America

EAEV047 — An Ensemble Precipitation Prediction Model for Sub-Saharan Africa Using a Dendrochronological Reconstruction and Satellite Data

• Leif Speer, Terre Haute South Vigo High School, Terre Haute, IN, Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair Region 6, United States of America

MCRO040 — Enhancing the Validity of Proxy-Based Non-Endemic Viral Monitoring Through GIS-AHP–Assisted Ecological Niche Modeling

• James Jedrzejczyk, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Wesley Chapel, FL, State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida – Ying Scholars, United States of America

Honorable Mention Awards 

ANIM050 — Annual Patterns, Seasonal Shifts, and Modeled Trends in Polar Bear Observations in the Prudhoe Bay Industrial Footprint

• Kevin Zhang, West Anchorage High School, Anchorage, AK, Alaska Science and Engineering Fair, United States of America

CBIO043 — A Multi-Omic “Digital Embryo” Framework to Model Early Human Preimplantation Development In Silico

• Matthew Shen, Saint Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School, Maple, Ontario, Youth Science Canada – Team Canada, Canada

CBIO052T — Modelling the Ecological Dynamics Between the Coconut Scale Insect (Aspidiotus rigidus) Infestation on Coconut Trees (Cocos nucifera) With Comperiella calauanica as the Biological Control

• Allen Laurence Carpio Lambert, Baybay City Senior High School, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines Science Fair, Philippines
• Jahna Bhec Tulin Lauz, Baybay City Senior High School, Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines Science Fair, Philippines
• Lady Nikki Beatrice Meode Dongon, Baybay City Senior High School, Baybay City, Province of Leyte, Philippines Science Fair, Philippines

CBIO071 — A Markov Chain Model for Predicting ETI Resistance Breakdown in Tomato–Pseudomonas syringae

• Mohammed Nasser Alasmari, Rowad High School, Jubail, The Eastern Province, Mawhiba Science & Engineering Fair, Saudi Arabia

CHEM048T — Developing a Real-Time Forecasting Model and Evaluating the Potential for Improving Pollution Levels in the Cau Bay River, Hanoi

• Linh Ha Pham, Viet Duc Upper Secondary School, Hanoi, Viet Nam Science and Engineering Fair, Viet Nam
• Phat Tan Le, Viet Duc Upper Secondary School, Hanoi, Viet Nam Science and Engineering Fair, Viet Nam

MATH014 — Revealing the Fragility Beneath: Engineering Dynamic Multi-Layer Financial Networks for Modeling Systemic Risk and Shock Propagation

• Nyel Ahmed Uffa, Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie, MN, Western Suburbs Science Fair, United States of America

PLNT026 — An Efficient NDVI-Based NARX Machine Learning Model for Predicting Soil Moisture in Leafy Vegetable (Basella alba) for Precision Irrigation

• Kinnoree Rabeya Pasha, Clovis North High School, Fresno, CA, Fresno County Science Fair, United States of America

Beyond the specific projects recognized by COMAP, the judging experience itself left a lasting impression on the team.

"I always appreciate judging math modeling, especially because I get to see so many different ways students think about problems," said Dr. Kristin Fetherston-Arney,  COMAP's HiMCM® Director.  "During ISEF, I loved being able to engage directly with students in a conversation. In this interaction, I was impressed by their thoughtfulness and creativity. These students are deep thinkers, ready to solve future challenges."

The projects varied widely in topic, but the creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills students brought to their work were remarkably consistent.

The Growing Reach of Mathematical Modeling

Looking across this year's winners, it's hard not to be impressed by the variety of topics students chose to explore. Their projects examined everything from coral reefs and hurricanes to Alzheimer's disease and financial networks.

“It's a good reminder that mathematical modeling isn't confined to math class, or even a few STEM courses. It's a way of thinking and ISEF highlighted that students are already putting it to work across disciplines,” Galluzzo noted.

It was a privilege for COMAP to recognize these students and learn more about their work.

Congratulations to all of the COMAP Special Award recipients.