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Brazilian students won five awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2025, held from May 10 to 16 in Columbus, Ohio (USA). The fair is the largest international science and engineering event for pre-university students, bringing together more than 1,600 finalists from around 60 countries. Participants competed for almost US$9 million in awards, fellowships, and academic opportunities.
The Brazilian delegation included 28 students, 15 of whom were selected by the Brazilian Science and Engineering Fair (Febrace), held at USP. They traveled to the USA with sponsorship from the US Embassy and Consulates in Brazil. Another 13 students, selected by the International Science and Technology Exhibition (Mostratec), held in Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, also participated in ISEF.
The awards were presented in two categories: the Grand Awards Ceremony, which honors the top projects across 22 thematic areas, and the Special Awards Ceremony, which features prizes from research institutions, universities, and international scientific organizations. In total, students selected through Febrace received four awards, while those from Mostratec earned one.
“Every year, students surprise us with their dedication and inventiveness. Seeing these young Brazilians stand out internationally only reinforces that investing in scientific and technological education is investing in the country’s future,” says professor Roseli de Deus Lopes, coordinator of Febrace.
See the list of award-winning Brazilian projects below:
Grand Awards Ceremony:
- Watreat: biopolymer membrane for water treatment
Award: Environmental Engineering (ENEV) 4th Award: $600 cash award
Students: Isabelle de Sousa Battocchio and Miguel Ribeiro da Silva
Advisors: Heloina Lopes Capistrano and Francisco Augusto Oliveira Santos
School: E.E.M.T.I. Marconi Coelho Reis – Cascavel – CE
(Accredited by Febrace) - Sustainware: a sustainable alternative for the production of ceramic tableware
Award: Materials Science (MATS) 4th Award: $600 cash award
Student: Victoria Zimmer Gomes
Advisors: Cínthia Gabriely Zimmer and Suyanne Angie Lunelli Bachmann
School: IFRS – Campus Feliz – Feliz – RS
(Accredited by Febrace)
Special Awards Ceremony
- Manganese and tumor metallomics: a new therapeutic pathway for invasive tumors
Mary Kay Inc. Award $750
Student: Carolina de Araujo Pereira da Silva
Advisors: Mariana Paranhos Stelling and Juliana do Carmo Godinho
School: IFRJ – Campus Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro – RJ (São João de Meriti)(
Accredited by Febrace) - Artificial Skin for Cell Regeneration and Burn Treatment
Mary Kay Inc. Award $750
Student: Sofia Mota Nunes
Advisor: Carlos Fonseca Sampaio
School Santa Teresinha – Imperatriz – MA
(Accredited by Mostratec) - Antimicrobial potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of Myracrodruon urundeuva (aroeira)
Award: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRID) – $500
Students: Gabriel Lopes Fernandes Filho, Otávio da Costa Nogueira, and Rita Izabely Lopes da Costa
Advisors: Michael Pratini Silva de Souza and Douglas Arenhart França
School: E.E. Prof. Abel Freire Coelho – Mossoró – RN
(Accredited by Febrace)
Scientific engagement events
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the leading international science and engineering fair for pre-university students, bringing together young talents from around 60 countries annually on US soil. In the 2025 edition, participants competed for awards totaling around US$9 million, including fellowships, internships, and field trips.
Held annually by USP’s School of Engineering and organized by the Technological Integrating Systems Laboratory (LSI-TEC), Febrace is Brazil’s largest pre-university science and engineering fair in both scope and visibility. Its mission is to foster a culture of science, innovation, and entrepreneurship in basic and technical education, while identifying young talent and promoting innovative teaching practices in schools.
By: Febrace Press Office
English version: Nexus Traduções, edited by Denis Pacheco
