Meet Claire Jiang, 18, whose arthritis research won her $70,000
Claire Jiang, an 18-year-old student, won a $70,000 award at the Regeneron Science Talent Search for her research on juvenile idiopathic arthritis. She developed a new laboratory cell model to help address the lack of research tools for the condition.
Why it matters
Student-led biomedical innovation highlights the potential for personal experience to drive significant advancements in medical research.
An 18-year-old student who was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in primary school has won seventh place and a $70,000 award in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search for developing a new laboratory cell model of the disease. Claire Jiang, a senior at Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, New Jersey, received the award during the annual competition run by Society for Science in Washington, DC. According to the award announcement from Society for Science and Regeneron, Jiang finished seventh among nearly 2,000 high school applicants from across the United States for her research into juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the most common form of arthritis in children. Jiang's personal experience with the condition inspired her research.
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