Amy Xiao named as a 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar finalist
Garden City High School student Amy Xiao has made it to the next round. She is one of the 40 students to be named a 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar finalist for her project, “Exploring Citrin as a Therapeutic Target for Cancer Treatment Through a Clinical, Pharmacologic and Metabolic Lens.” She was initially selected as one of the 300 semifinalists from nearly 2,500 initial applicants due to the originality and creativity of her research, her achievement and leadership.
Amy focused on how Citrin’s function can impact cancer patient outcome, be blocked and affect cancer cell metabolism. She began her project by analyzing cancer patient data and Citrin mutations through AI-based structural modeling and found loss of Citrin function to correlate with better patient outcome. She searched for molecules, specifically on-the-market drugs, capable of blocking Citrin function and performed a large-scale virtual docking of FDA-approved drugs to her Citrin model. Amy used CRISPR to “cut” Citrin’s gene out of colon cancer cells and examine the metabolic impacts of Citrin targeting and discovered that Citrin targeting impacted multiple metabolic pathways and likely depleted these cells of cytosolic aspartate—an essential nutrient for cancer cells.
“I'm extremely honored to be named a finalist,” said Amy. “It's very validating to have my work recognized. I can't wait to meet the other finalists in March!”
Amy will compete alongside the other finalists for over $1.8 million in awards during a weeklong competition in Washington, D.C., taking place March 6-12, 2025.
