An eighth-grader from Pennsylvania has been named one of the top 30 middle school researchers in the United States after developing a new way to deliver medicines used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Sai Sri Valli Mogilineedi, a student at Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, was named a national finalist in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge on 16 September 2026. The competition is organised by the non-profit Society for Science and is considered one of the leading US competitions for middle school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).Mogilineedi’s project, titled “A Novel Controlled Release System for GERD Drugs Using Immobilization Techniques,” looks at ways to improve how antacid medicines are released inside the body. Her research focuses on problems with common heartburn treatments by exploring controlled-release methods that could make the medicine work for longer. She will travel to Washington, DC, from 23 to 28 October for the competition’s Finals Week. The 30 finalists were selected from 1,997 applicants across the country and will compete for more than $100,000 in educational awards.
Developing longer-lasting heartburn treatment
Mogilineedi’s research focuses on GERD, a long-term digestive condition in which stomach acid often flows back into the tube between the mouth and stomach. Common over-the-counter antacids can reduce stomach acid quickly, but their effects often do not last very long. This can mean that patients need to take several doses during the day. To address this problem, Mogilineedi used immobilization techniques to create a controlled-release system. The method is designed to release the active ingredients in antacid medicine slowly instead of releasing everything at once. Before reaching the national competition, Mogilineedi tested her idea at regional science competitions. According to records from the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair (CASEF), her project received awards including the Penn State College of Medicine Award and the Love Award during regional judging.
From local competitions to the national finals
Mogilineedi’s path to the top 30 started at local science fairs. Society for Science says students must finish in the top 10 per cent of their local fairs to be nominated for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Of nearly 2,000 students who entered nationally, a panel of scientists, engineers, and educators first selected the Top 300 Junior Innovators in September. The group was then reduced to 30 finalists representing 17 US states and Puerto Rico. Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News, praised this year’s finalists for focusing on real-world problems in an official statement. “Every year, our Thermo Fisher JIC finalists remind us of what’s possible when curiosity meets courage — even in middle school,” Ajmera said. “This year’s Top 30 are already using science to tackle problems that matter to their communities and the world. I’m proud to welcome these 30 remarkable young scientists and engineers to Washington, D.C., this October.”
Team challenges and final awards
During Finals Week in Washington, DC, students will be judged on their individual research as well as their performance in team STEM challenges. Organisers say the group activities will test critical thinking, communication, and the ability to solve problems together. Every finalist will receive a $500 cash prize. Their schools and host institutions, including Mountain View Middle School, will also receive $1,000 each from the organisation to support local STEM activities.
The main awards at the end of Finals Week include:
- The $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND Award, given to the student who shows the strongest overall skills across STEM subjects.
- The $10,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement, given for outstanding research in health-related areas.
- The $10,000 Broadcom Coding with Commitment Award.
- The $10,000 DoD STEM Talent Award.
The winners will be officially announced at an awards ceremony in Washington on 27 October 2026.
