WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thermo Fisher Scientific and Society for Science today announced the winners of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), the nation’s premier middle school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition. Tina Jin, 13, from San Jose, Calif., won the $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award, the top prize in the competition.

On Friday, September 20, 2024, Angela Zhan met with Governor Spencer Cox, where she was presented with a formal recognition letter in honor of her selection as a 2024 Research Science Institute (RSI) Scholar. During the meeting, Angela shared insights from her experiences at RSI and discussed her research on Parkinson's disease. She also introduced Governor Cox to YouthSTEM (youthstem.org), a national nonprofit organization she founded to promote STEM education among young students. Angela expressed her gratitude for the funding support provided by the Utah STEM Action Center, which will help further the mission of YouthSTEM.

On August 23, 2024, YouthSTEM received a $500 Community Impact Sponsorship award from the Utah STEM Action Center. This award will support YouthSTEM's middle school STEM programs in northern Utah, helping more students get involved in STEM activities.

On Monday, August 26, 2024, Angela Zhan met with U.S. Representative Blake Moore and Lisa Roskelley, Director of the First District of Utah. Angela shared her experience at the Research Science Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this summer, where she conducted research on Parkinson's disease. She also discussed YouthSTEM's initiatives and programs with Mr. Moore and Ms. Roskelley.

YouthSTEM will host a webinar at 5:30pm MST on Friday, June 21, 2024 for K-12 students. Professor Jessica Haskins from the University of Utah will share her college experience and research journey. Dr. Haskins received her BS from MIT and PhD from the University of Washington. She did her postdoc training at MIT. Students, teachers and parents are invited!