Mary Kay Awards STEM Grants at Regeneron ISEF 2025 for Student Innovation in Cancer Research and Sustainability

Ten students recognized for science and engineering projects at global competition focused on health and the environment.

Mary Kay, a multinational company involved in skincare and STEM advocacy, has returned as a Special Awards Organization at this year’s Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Columbus, Ohio.

Ten students from around the world received grant awards totaling nearly $10,000 from Mary Kay for projects addressing topics such as cancer detection, biodegradable packaging, and gender disparities in entrepreneurship. Now in its second year of sponsorship, the company aims to support students, particularly young women, pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers.

Regeneron ISEF is run by the Society for Science and is currently in its 75th year. The event brings together nearly 2,000 high school-aged participants from over 60 countries. Through affiliated local and regional fairs, finalists are selected to compete for roughly $9 million in awards, scholarships, and networking opportunities.

Students awarded for STEM research

Mary Kay presented grants to the following students for their innovation in fields including oncology, biomaterials, and digital health:

• Pragathi Kasani-Akula (Georgia, USA)
  Project: Nanoarchitectures for identifying exosomes in triple-negative breast cancer

• Grace Liu (New York, USA)
  Project: Gender disparities in decision-making under uncertainty in entrepreneurship

• Alina Albeik (Virginia, USA)
  Project: Effect of resveratrol on memory in planarians

• Kaili Tseng and Leila Gheysar (California, USA)
  Project: Use of Bombyx mori peptides for cancer cell inhibition

• Elisabeth Fischermann and Tom Kressbach (Bavaria, Germany)
  Project: Detection of free radicals using blue light reactions

• Ela Doruk Korkmaz (Istanbul, Turkey)
  Project: Anti-cancer effects of coffee bean-derived exosomes on melanoma

• Carolina de Araujo Pereira da Silva (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
  Project: Salinomycin as a molecular Trojan horse in aggressive tumors

• Sofia Nunes (Maranhao, Brazil)
  Project: Low-cost artificial skin for burn treatment

• Margareth Ac-ac (Negros Oriental, Philippines)
  Project: CNN-based portable skin cancer detection device

• Kamila Rotger-Costas and Miranda Sanz-Alvarez (Puerto Rico)
  Project: Reishi fungi-based biodegradable plastic alternative

De Araujo Pereira da Silva previously received a grant in 2024. That funding supported her research into manganese as a trigger in malignancy, contributing to her 2025 submission.

Ongoing industry support for STEM participation

Mary Kay’s ongoing involvement aligns with the company’s broader educational and scientific outreach goals. Alongside manufacturing and selling beauty products, the organization promotes research, entrepreneurship, and mentorship programs for young women globally.

Carrissa Dowdy, manager of product formulation at Mary Kay, comments: “The ingenuity, passion, and innovation demonstrated by these young STEM leaders are awe-inspiring. Their work has the potential to transform industries, drive sustainable advancements, and accelerate major breakthroughs in fields like cancer research, material science, and environmental engineering. Mary Kay is proud to stand behind them as they shape the future of STEM.”