Two YHS Students Named Regeneron Scholars

For Yorktown High School seniors Makayla Winslow and Chinmayi Goyal, science is more than a subject — it’s a way to make a difference. Their innovative research projects have earned them recognition as Regeneron Science Talent Search Top 300 Scholars, placing them among the most promising young scientists in the country.

Makayla’s project, inspired by personal experiences with neurodegenerative disease, focuses on Parkinson’s disease. She studied the role of a specific enzyme in dopamine toxicity, aiming to uncover the genetic modifications triggered by dopamine dysregulation. Her goal? To lay the groundwork for better treatments.

I’ve experienced firsthand the difficulties of having a loved one who is suffering from a neurodegenerative disease,” Makayla said, “and the first step to improving treatments is uncovering the cellular mechanisms of the disease.”

For Chinmayi, her drive to create solutions stems from a global challenge — movement disabilities. She developed MyoAssist, an AI-driven exoskeletal assistive system that adapts to users’ unique muscle needs. Unlike traditional exoskeletons, MyoAssist is cost-effective and scalable, making it accessible to those who need it most.

“It has the potential to revolutionize the field of wearable assistive technologies, providing a scalable, cost-effective solution to improve the quality of life for individuals with movement impairments worldwide,” Chinmayi said.

Both students’ work exemplifies the mission of the Yorktown Science Research Program: combining passion and innovation to address real-world problems.

“Makayla's and Chinmayi's projects have widespread applications,”  said Mr. Paul Rubeo and Mr. Justin Seweryn, co-directors of the YHS Science Research Program. “Their cutting-edge work has the potential to directly impact the medical field. In addition to their exceptional science, they are both model students who have positively impacted their peers in the program. They exemplify what it means to be an STS Top 300 Scholar. “

As scholars, both Makayla and Chinmayi earned $2,000 scholarships for themselves and an additional $2,000 for Yorktown High School. In late January, 40 of the top 300 scholars will be selected as finalists to compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a weeklong competition in Washington, D.C., this March.

Makayla and Chinmayi credit their achievements to the support of their families, teachers, and peers. Makayla fondly acknowledges her parents’ guidance, saying, “My mom taught me to work hard and my dad taught me to work smart, and both have gotten me here today.”

Chinmayi also expressed gratitude for her science research teachers and the camaraderie of her classmates. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Mr. Seweryn and Mr. Rubeo, who supported me every step of the way with constructive feedback, as well as Mr. Agosta. I’m also grateful for the supportive community of my peers in the Science Research Program —  their collaboration and friendship kept me motivated through the challenges.”

Looking ahead, Makayla plans to study biomedical engineering or biochemistry with the goal of pursuing a career in medical innovation. Chinmayi will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to further her research on human-machine interactions and assistive technologies.