Bergen County’s Genius Trio: BCA Students Sweep National Science Talent Search with Life-Changing AI
photo courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County is officially on the map as a national hub for scientific innovation. Recently, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco honored three extraordinary seniors from Bergen County Academies (BCA) who dominated the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search.
As the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition, Regeneron is often referred to as the “Junior Nobel Prize”—and this year, Bergen County owned the podium.
The Only Top 10 Winners in New Jersey
In a stunning display of brilliance, Edward Kang and Claire Jiang were the only students from the state of New Jersey to place in the national top 10. Along with finalist Mythreya Dharani, these three young scientists are tackling some of the most complex medical challenges of our time using artificial intelligence and cellular modeling.
Meet the Award-Winning Scientists
| Student | Hometown | Achievement | Project Impact |
| Edward Kang (17) | Hackensack | 2nd Place Nationwide ($175,000 Award) | Developed a groundbreaking AI tool to improve screening for Autism and ADHD. |
| Claire Jiang (18) | Wyckoff | 7th Place Nationwide ($70,000 Award) | Created a sophisticated cellular model to study Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. |
| Mythreya Dharani (18) | Paramus | National Finalist ($25,000 Award) | Engineered an interpretable AI model to predict Tumor Response to Chemotherapy. |
Why This Matters for Bergen County
The success of these students at the Bergen County Academies highlights the strength of our local educational system and the incredible potential of the next generation.
From developing tools that assist in neurodivergent diagnoses to optimizing cancer treatments, Edward, Claire, and Mythreya are not just winning competitions—they are creating solutions that will save lives and improve the quality of healthcare globally.
“Their innovation, dedication, and brilliance make our entire county proud,” said County Executive Jim Tedesco. “Bergen County is cheering you on every step of the way.”
Inside the Regeneron Science Talent Search
The Regeneron Science Talent Search identifies the most promising young scientists in the U.S. who are creating the ideas and solutions that will solve our most urgent challenges. With awards totaling millions of dollars, the competition provides a platform for students to present original research to professional scientists.
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