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Research Paper Title – Writing Guide and Example

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Research Paper Title

Research Paper Title is the name or heading that summarizes the main theme or topic of a research paper . It serves as the first point of contact between the reader and the paper, providing an initial impression of the content, purpose, and scope of the research . A well-crafted research paper title should be concise, informative, and engaging, accurately reflecting the key elements of the study while also capturing the reader’s attention and interest. The title should be clear and easy to understand, and it should accurately convey the main focus and scope of the research paper.

Examples of Research Paper Title

Here are some Good Examples of Research Paper Title:

• “Investigating the Relationship Between Sleep Duration and Academic Performance Among College Students”
• “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employment: A Systematic Review”
• “The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis”
• “Exploring the Effects of Social Support on Mental Health in Patients with Chronic Illness”
• “Assessing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
• “The Impact of Social Media Influencers on Consumer Behavior: A Systematic Review”
• “Investigating the Link Between Personality Traits and Leadership Effectiveness”
• “The Effect of Parental Incarceration on Child Development: A Longitudinal Study”
• “Exploring the Relationship Between Cultural Intelligence and Cross-Cultural Adaptation: A Meta-Analysis”
• “Assessing the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Chronic Pain Management”.
• “The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis”
• “The Impact of Climate Change on Global Crop Yields: A Longitudinal Study”
• “Exploring the Relationship between Parental Involvement and Academic Achievement in Elementary School Students”
• “The Ethics of Genetic Editing: A Review of Current Research and Implications for Society”
• “Understanding the Role of Gender in Leadership: A Comparative Study of Male and Female CEOs”
• “The Effect of Exercise on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
• “The Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health: A Cross-Cultural Comparison”
• “Assessing the Effectiveness of Online Learning Platforms: A Case Study of Coursera”
• “Exploring the Link between Employee Engagement and Organizational Performance”
• “The Effects of Income Inequality on Social Mobility: A Comparative Analysis of OECD Countries”
• “Exploring the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Mental Health in Adolescents”
• “The Impact of Climate Change on Crop Yield: A Case Study of Maize Production in Sub-Saharan Africa”
• “Examining the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-Analysis”
• “An Analysis of the Relationship Between Employee Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment”
• “Assessing the Impacts of Wilderness Areas on Local Economies: A Case Study of Yellowstone National Park”
• “The Role of Parental Involvement in Early Childhood Education: A Review of the Literature”
• “Investigating the Effects of Technology on Learning in Higher Education”
• “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges”
• “A Study of the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Leadership Styles in Business Organizations”.

How to choose Research Paper Title

Choosing a research paper title is an important step in the research process. A good title can attract readers and convey the essence of your research in a concise and clear manner. Here are some tips on how to choose a research paper title:

• Be clear and concise: A good title should convey the main idea of your research in a clear and concise manner. Avoid using jargon or technical language that may be confusing to readers.
• Use keywords: Including keywords in your title can help readers find your paper when searching for related topics. Use specific, descriptive terms that accurately describe your research.
• Be descriptive: A descriptive title can help readers understand what your research is about. Use adjectives and adverbs to convey the main ideas of your research.
• Consider the audience : Think about the audience for your paper and choose a title that will appeal to them. If your paper is aimed at a specialized audience, you may want to use technical terms or jargon in your title.
• Avoid being too general or too specific : A title that is too general may not convey the specific focus of your research, while a title that is too specific may not be of interest to a broader audience. Strive for a title that accurately reflects the focus of your research without being too narrow or too broad.
• Make it interesting : A title that is interesting or provocative can capture the attention of readers and draw them into your research. Use humor, wordplay, or other creative techniques to make your title stand out.
• Seek feedback: Ask colleagues or advisors for feedback on your title. They may be able to offer suggestions or identify potential problems that you hadn’t considered.

Purpose of Research Paper Title

The research paper title serves several important purposes, including:

• Identifying the subject matter : The title of a research paper should clearly and accurately identify the topic or subject matter that the paper addresses. This helps readers quickly understand what the paper is about.
• Catching the reader’s attention : A well-crafted title can grab the reader’s attention and make them interested in reading the paper. This is particularly important in academic settings where there may be many papers on the same topic.
• Providing context: The title can provide important context for the research paper by indicating the specific area of study, the research methods used, or the key findings.
• Communicating the scope of the paper: A good title can give readers an idea of the scope and depth of the research paper. This can help them decide if the paper is relevant to their interests or research.
• Indicating the research question or hypothesis : The title can often indicate the research question or hypothesis that the paper addresses, which can help readers understand the focus of the research and the main argument or conclusion of the paper.

Advantages of Research Paper Title

The title of a research paper is an important component that can have several advantages, including:

• Capturing the reader’s attention : A well-crafted research paper title can grab the reader’s attention and encourage them to read further. A captivating title can also increase the visibility of the paper and attract more readers.
• Providing a clear indication of the paper’s focus: A well-written research paper title should clearly convey the main focus and purpose of the study. This helps potential readers quickly determine whether the paper is relevant to their interests.
• Improving discoverability: A descriptive title that includes relevant keywords can improve the discoverability of the research paper in search engines and academic databases, making it easier for other researchers to find and cite.
• Enhancing credibility : A clear and concise title can enhance the credibility of the research and the author. A title that accurately reflects the content of the paper can increase the confidence readers have in the research findings.
• Facilitating communication: A well-written research paper title can facilitate communication among researchers, enabling them to quickly and easily identify relevant studies and engage in discussions related to the topic.
• Making the paper easier to remember : An engaging and memorable research paper title can help readers remember the paper and its findings. This can be especially important in fields where researchers are constantly inundated with new information and need to quickly recall important studies.
• Setting expectations: A good research paper title can set expectations for the reader and help them understand what the paper will cover. This can be especially important for readers who are unfamiliar with the topic or the research area.
• Guiding research: A well-crafted research paper title can also guide future research by highlighting gaps in the current literature or suggesting new areas for investigation.
• Demonstrating creativity: A creative research paper title can demonstrate the author’s creativity and originality, which can be appealing to readers and other researchers.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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6 Important Tips on Writing a Research Paper Title

When you are searching for a research study on a particular topic, you probably notice that articles with interesting, descriptive research titles draw you in. By contrast, research paper titles that are not descriptive are usually passed over, even though you may write a good research paper with interesting contents. This shows the importance of coming up with a good title for your research paper when drafting your own manuscript.

Importance of a Research Title

The research title plays a crucial role in the research process, and its importance can be summarized as follows:

Why do Research Titles Matter?

Before we look at how to title a research paper, let’s look at a research title example that illustrates why a good research paper should have a strong title.

Imagine that you are researching meditation and nursing, and you want to find out if any studies have shown that meditation makes nurses better communicators.  You conduct a keyword search using the keywords “nursing”, “communication”, and “meditation.” You come up with results that have the following titles:

• Benefits of Meditation for the Nursing Profession: A Quantitative Investigation
• Why Mindful Nurses Make the Best Communicators
• Meditation Gurus
• Nurses on the Move: A Quantitative Report on How Meditation Can Improve Nurse Performance

All four of these research paper titles may describe very similar studies—they could even be titles for the same study! As you can see, they give very different impressions.

• Title 1 describes the topic and the method of the study but is not particularly catchy.
• Title 2 partly describes the topic, but does not give any information about the method of the study—it could simply be a theoretical or opinion piece.
• Title 3 is somewhat catchier but gives almost no information at all about the article.
• Title 4 begins with a catchy main title and is followed by a subtitle that gives information about the content and method of the study.

As we will see, Title 4 has all the characteristics of a good research title.

Characteristics of a Good Research Title

According to rhetoric scholars Hairston and Keene, making a good title for a paper involves ensuring that the title of the research accomplishes four goals as mentioned below:

• It should predict the content of the research paper .
• It should be interesting to the reader .
• It should reflect the tone of the writing .
• It should contain important keywords that will make it easier to be located during a keyword search.

Let’s return to the examples in the previous section to see how to make a research title.

As you can see in the table above, only one of the four example titles fulfills all of the criteria of a suitable research paper title.

Related: You’ve chosen your study topic, but having trouble deciding where to publish it? Here’s a comprehensive course to help you identify the right journal .

Tips for Writing an Effective Research Paper Title

When writing a research title, you can use the four criteria listed above as a guide. Here are a few other tips you can use to make sure your title will be part of the recipe for an effective research paper :

• Make sure your research title describes (a) the topic, (b) the method, (c) the sample, and (d) the results of your study. You can use the following formula:

[ Result ]: A [ method ] study of [ topic ] among [ sample ] Example : Meditation makes nurses perform better: a qualitative study of mindfulness meditation among German nursing students

• Avoid unnecessary words and jargons. Keep the title statement as concise as possible. You want a title that will be comprehensible even to people who are not experts in your field. Check our article for a detailed list of things to avoid when writing an effective research title .
• Make sure your title is between 5 and 15 words in length.
• If you are writing a title for a university assignment or for a particular academic journal, verify that your title conforms to the standards and requirements for that outlet. For example, many journals require that titles fall under a character limit, including spaces. Many universities require that titles take a very specific form, limiting your creativity.
• Use a descriptive phrase to convey the purpose of your research efficiently.
• Most importantly, use critical keywords in the title to increase the discoverability of your article.

Resources for Further Reading

In addition to the tips above, there are many resources online that you can use to help write your research title. Here is a list of links that you may find useful as you work on creating an excellent research title:

• The University of Southern California has a guide specific to social science research papers: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/title
• The Journal of European Psychology Students has a blog article focusing on APA-compliant research paper titles: http://blog.efpsa.org/2012/09/01/how-to-write-a-good-title-for-journal-articles/
• This article by Kristen Hamlin contains a step-by-step approach to writing titles: http://classroom.synonym.com/choose-title-research-paper-4332.html

Are there any tips or tricks you find useful in crafting research titles? Which tip did you find most useful in this article? Leave a comment to let us know!

• Hairston, M., & Keene, M. 2003. Successful writing . 5th ed. New York: Norton.
• University of Southern California. 2017. Organizing your social sciences research paper: choosing a title . [Online] Available at: http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/title

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Thank you for the excellent article and tips for creating a research work, because I always forget about such an essential element as the keywords when forming topics. In particular, I have found a rapid help with the formation of informative and sound titles that also conforms to the standards and requirements.

I am doing a research work on sales girls or shop girls using qualititative method. Basicly I am from Pakistan and writing on the scenario of mycountry. I am really confused about my research title can you kindly give some suggestions and give me an approperaite tilte

Hi Zubair, Thank you for your question. However, the information you have provided is insufficient for drafting an appropriate title. Information on what exactly you intend to study would be needed in order to draft a meaningful title. Meanwhile, you can try drafting your own title after going through the following articles our website: https://www.enago.com/academy/top-10-tips-on-choosing-an-attractive-research-title/ , https://www.enago.com/academy/writing-a-good-research-title-things-to-avoid/ , https://www.enago.com/academy/write-irresistible-research-paper-title/ We would be happy to give you feedback and suggest changes if required. Did you get a chance to install our free Mobile App? https://www.enago.com/academy/mobile-app/ . Make sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter https://www.enago.com/academy/subscribe-now/ .

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Thank you for this. It helped me improve my research title. I just want to verify to you the title I have just made. “Ensuring the safety: A Quantitative Study of Radio Frequency Identification system among the selected students of ( school’s name ).

(I need your reply asap coz we will be doing the chap. 1 tomorrow. Thank u in advance. 🙂 )

I am actually doing a research paper title. I want to know more further in doing research title. Can you give me some tips on doing a research paper?

Hi Joan, Thank you for your question. We are glad to know that you found our resources useful. Your feedback is very valuable to us. You can try drafting your own title after going through the following articles on our website: https://www.enago.com/academy/top-10-tips-on-choosing-an-attractive-research-title/ , https://www.enago.com/academy/writing-a-good-research-title-things-to-avoid/ , https://www.enago.com/academy/write-irresistible-research-paper-title/

We would be happy to give you feedback and suggest changes if required. Did you get a chance to install our free Mobile App? https://www.enago.com/academy/mobile-app/ . Make sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter https://www.enago.com/academy/subscribe-now/ .

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Thanks for sharing this tips. Title matters a lot for any article because it contents Keywords of article. It should be eye-catchy. Your article is helpful to select title of any article.

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i’m found in selecting my ma thesis title ,so i’m going to do my final research after the proposal approved. Your post help me find good title.

I need help. I need a research title for my study about early mobilization of the mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thank you for posting your query on the website. When writing manuscripts, too many scholars neglect the research title. This phrase, along with the abstract, is what people will mostly see and read online. Title research of publications shows that the research paper title does matter a lot. Both bibliometrics and altmetrics tracking of citations are now, for better or worse, used to gauge a paper’s “success” for its author(s) and the journal publishing it. Interesting research topics coupled with good or clever yet accurate research titles can draw more attention to your work from peers and the public alike. You can check through the following search results for titles on similar topics: https://www.google.com/search?q=early+mobilization+of+the+mechanically+ventilated+patients+in+the+icu&rlz=1C1GCEU_enIN907IN907&oq=&aqs=chrome.0.69i59.4920093j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 .

We hope this would be helpful in drafting an attractive title for your research paper.

Please let us know in case of any other queries.

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There are many free directories, and more paid lists.

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How to Make a Research Paper Title with Examples

What is a research paper title and why does it matter?

A research paper title summarizes the aim and purpose of your research study. Making a title for your research is one of the most important decisions when writing an article to publish in journals. The research title is the first thing that journal editors and reviewers see when they look at your paper and the only piece of information that fellow researchers will see in a database or search engine query. Good titles that are concise and contain all the relevant terms have been shown to increase citation counts and Altmetric scores .

Therefore, when you title research work, make sure it captures all of the relevant aspects of your study, including the specific topic and problem being investigated. It also should present these elements in a way that is accessible and will captivate readers. Follow these steps to learn how to make a good research title for your work.

How to Make a Research Paper Title in 5 Steps

You might wonder how you are supposed to pick a title from all the content that your manuscript contains—how are you supposed to choose? What will make your research paper title come up in search engines and what will make the people in your field read it? 

In a nutshell, your research title should accurately capture what you have done, it should sound interesting to the people who work on the same or a similar topic, and it should contain the important title keywords that other researchers use when looking for literature in databases. To make the title writing process as simple as possible, we have broken it down into 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Answer some key questions about your research paper

What does your paper seek to answer and what does it accomplish? Try to answer these questions as briefly as possible. You can create these questions by going through each section of your paper and finding the MOST relevant information to make a research title.

Step 2: Identify research study keywords

Now that you have answers to your research questions, find the most important parts of these responses and make these your study keywords. Note that you should only choose the most important terms for your keywords–journals usually request anywhere from 3 to 8 keywords maximum.

Step 3: Research title writing: use these keywords

“We employed a case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years to assess how waiting list volume affects the outcomes of liver transplantation in patients; results indicate a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and negative prognosis after the transplant procedure.”

The sentence above is clearly much too long for a research paper title. This is why you will trim and polish your title in the next two steps.

Step 4: Create a working research paper title

To create a working title, remove elements that make it a complete “sentence” but keep everything that is important to what the study is about. Delete all unnecessary and redundant words that are not central to the study or that researchers would most likely not use in a database search.

“ We employed a case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years to assess how the waiting list volume affects the outcome of liver transplantation in patients ; results indicate a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis after transplant procedure ”

Now shift some words around for proper syntax and rephrase it a bit to shorten the length and make it leaner and more natural. What you are left with is:

“A case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcome of transplantation and showing a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis” (Word Count: 38)

This text is getting closer to what we want in a research title, which is just the most important information. But note that the word count for this working title is still 38 words, whereas the average length of published journal article titles is 16 words or fewer. Therefore, we should eliminate some words and phrases that are not essential to this title.

Step 5: Remove any nonessential words and phrases from your title

Because the number of patients studied and the exact outcome are not the most essential parts of this paper, remove these elements first:

 “A case study of 60 liver transplant patients around the US aged 20-50 years assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcomes of transplantation and showing a positive correlation between increased waiting list volume and a negative prognosis” (Word Count: 19)

In addition, the methods used in a study are not usually the most searched-for keywords in databases and represent additional details that you may want to remove to make your title leaner. So what is left is:

“Assessing the impact of waiting list volume on outcome and prognosis in liver transplantation patients” (Word Count: 15)

In this final version of the title, one can immediately recognize the subject and what objectives the study aims to achieve. Note that the most important terms appear at the beginning and end of the title: “Assessing,” which is the main action of the study, is placed at the beginning; and “liver transplantation patients,” the specific subject of the study, is placed at the end.

This will aid significantly in your research paper title being found in search engines and database queries, which means that a lot more researchers will be able to locate your article once it is published. In fact, a 2014 review of more than 150,000 papers submitted to the UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) database found the style of a paper’s title impacted the number of citations it would typically receive. In most disciplines, articles with shorter, more concise titles yielded more citations.

Adding a Research Paper Subtitle

If your title might require a subtitle to provide more immediate details about your methodology or sample, you can do this by adding this information after a colon:

“ : a case study of US adult patients ages 20-25”

If we abide strictly by our word count rule this may not be necessary or recommended. But every journal has its own standard formatting and style guidelines for research paper titles, so it is a good idea to be aware of the specific journal author instructions , not just when you write the manuscript but also to decide how to create a good title for it.

Research Paper Title Examples

The title examples in the following table illustrate how a title can be interesting but incomplete, complete by uninteresting, complete and interesting but too informal in tone, or some other combination of these. A good research paper title should meet all the requirements in the four columns below.

Tips on Formulating a Good Research Paper Title

In addition to the steps given above, there are a few other important things you want to keep in mind when it comes to how to write a research paper title, regarding formatting, word count, and content:

• Write the title after you’ve written your paper and abstract
• Include all of the essential terms in your paper
• Keep it short and to the point (~16 words or fewer)
• Avoid unnecessary jargon and abbreviations
• Use keywords that capture the content of your paper
• Never include a period at the end—your title is NOT a sentence

Research Paper Writing Resources

We hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to craft your research paper title. But you might still want to dig deeper into different journal title formats and categories that might be more suitable for specific article types or need help with writing a cover letter for your manuscript submission.

In addition to getting English proofreading services , including paper editing services , before submission to journals, be sure to visit our academic resources papers. Here you can find dozens of articles on manuscript writing, from drafting an outline to finding a target journal to submit to.

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Writing the title and abstract for a research paper: Being concise, precise, and meticulous is the key

Milind s. tullu.

Department of Pediatrics, Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

This article deals with formulating a suitable title and an appropriate abstract for an original research paper. The “title” and the “abstract” are the “initial impressions” of a research article, and hence they need to be drafted correctly, accurately, carefully, and meticulously. Often both of these are drafted after the full manuscript is ready. Most readers read only the title and the abstract of a research paper and very few will go on to read the full paper. The title and the abstract are the most important parts of a research paper and should be pleasant to read. The “title” should be descriptive, direct, accurate, appropriate, interesting, concise, precise, unique, and should not be misleading. The “abstract” needs to be simple, specific, clear, unbiased, honest, concise, precise, stand-alone, complete, scholarly, (preferably) structured, and should not be misrepresentative. The abstract should be consistent with the main text of the paper, especially after a revision is made to the paper and should include the key message prominently. It is very important to include the most important words and terms (the “keywords”) in the title and the abstract for appropriate indexing purpose and for retrieval from the search engines and scientific databases. Such keywords should be listed after the abstract. One must adhere to the instructions laid down by the target journal with regard to the style and number of words permitted for the title and the abstract.

Introduction

This article deals with drafting a suitable “title” and an appropriate “abstract” for an original research paper. Because the “title” and the “abstract” are the “initial impressions” or the “face” of a research article, they need to be drafted correctly, accurately, carefully, meticulously, and consume time and energy.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] Often, these are drafted after the complete manuscript draft is ready.[ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 9 , 10 , 11 ] Most readers will read only the title and the abstract of a published research paper, and very few “interested ones” (especially, if the paper is of use to them) will go on to read the full paper.[ 1 , 2 ] One must remember to adhere to the instructions laid down by the “target journal” (the journal for which the author is writing) regarding the style and number of words permitted for the title and the abstract.[ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 12 ] Both the title and the abstract are the most important parts of a research paper – for editors (to decide whether to process the paper for further review), for reviewers (to get an initial impression of the paper), and for the readers (as these may be the only parts of the paper available freely and hence, read widely).[ 4 , 8 , 12 ] It may be worth for the novice author to browse through titles and abstracts of several prominent journals (and their target journal as well) to learn more about the wording and styles of the titles and abstracts, as well as the aims and scope of the particular journal.[ 5 , 7 , 9 , 13 ]

The details of the title are discussed under the subheadings of importance, types, drafting, and checklist.

Importance of the title

When a reader browses through the table of contents of a journal issue (hard copy or on website), the title is the “ first detail” or “face” of the paper that is read.[ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 13 ] Hence, it needs to be simple, direct, accurate, appropriate, specific, functional, interesting, attractive/appealing, concise/brief, precise/focused, unambiguous, memorable, captivating, informative (enough to encourage the reader to read further), unique, catchy, and it should not be misleading.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 , 12 ] It should have “just enough details” to arouse the interest and curiosity of the reader so that the reader then goes ahead with studying the abstract and then (if still interested) the full paper.[ 1 , 2 , 4 , 13 ] Journal websites, electronic databases, and search engines use the words in the title and abstract (the “keywords”) to retrieve a particular paper during a search; hence, the importance of these words in accessing the paper by the readers has been emphasized.[ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 12 , 14 ] Such important words (or keywords) should be arranged in appropriate order of importance as per the context of the paper and should be placed at the beginning of the title (rather than the later part of the title, as some search engines like Google may just display only the first six to seven words of the title).[ 3 , 5 , 12 ] Whimsical, amusing, or clever titles, though initially appealing, may be missed or misread by the busy reader and very short titles may miss the essential scientific words (the “keywords”) used by the indexing agencies to catch and categorize the paper.[ 1 , 3 , 4 , 9 ] Also, amusing or hilarious titles may be taken less seriously by the readers and may be cited less often.[ 4 , 15 ] An excessively long or complicated title may put off the readers.[ 3 , 9 ] It may be a good idea to draft the title after the main body of the text and the abstract are drafted.[ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

Types of titles

Titles can be descriptive, declarative, or interrogative. They can also be classified as nominal, compound, or full-sentence titles.

Descriptive or neutral title

This has the essential elements of the research theme, that is, the patients/subjects, design, interventions, comparisons/control, and outcome, but does not reveal the main result or the conclusion.[ 3 , 4 , 12 , 16 ] Such a title allows the reader to interpret the findings of the research paper in an impartial manner and with an open mind.[ 3 ] These titles also give complete information about the contents of the article, have several keywords (thus increasing the visibility of the article in search engines), and have increased chances of being read and (then) being cited as well.[ 4 ] Hence, such descriptive titles giving a glimpse of the paper are generally preferred.[ 4 , 16 ]

Declarative title

This title states the main finding of the study in the title itself; it reduces the curiosity of the reader, may point toward a bias on the part of the author, and hence is best avoided.[ 3 , 4 , 12 , 16 ]

Interrogative title

This is the one which has a query or the research question in the title.[ 3 , 4 , 16 ] Though a query in the title has the ability to sensationalize the topic, and has more downloads (but less citations), it can be distracting to the reader and is again best avoided for a research article (but can, at times, be used for a review article).[ 3 , 6 , 16 , 17 ]

From a sentence construct point of view, titles may be nominal (capturing only the main theme of the study), compound (with subtitles to provide additional relevant information such as context, design, location/country, temporal aspect, sample size, importance, and a provocative or a literary; for example, see the title of this review), or full-sentence titles (which are longer and indicate an added degree of certainty of the results).[ 4 , 6 , 9 , 16 ] Any of these constructs may be used depending on the type of article, the key message, and the author's preference or judgement.[ 4 ]

Drafting a suitable title

A stepwise process can be followed to draft the appropriate title. The author should describe the paper in about three sentences, avoiding the results and ensuring that these sentences contain important scientific words/keywords that describe the main contents and subject of the paper.[ 1 , 4 , 6 , 12 ] Then the author should join the sentences to form a single sentence, shorten the length (by removing redundant words or adjectives or phrases), and finally edit the title (thus drafted) to make it more accurate, concise (about 10–15 words), and precise.[ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 9 ] Some journals require that the study design be included in the title, and this may be placed (using a colon) after the primary title.[ 2 , 3 , 4 , 14 ] The title should try to incorporate the Patients, Interventions, Comparisons and Outcome (PICO).[ 3 ] The place of the study may be included in the title (if absolutely necessary), that is, if the patient characteristics (such as study population, socioeconomic conditions, or cultural practices) are expected to vary as per the country (or the place of the study) and have a bearing on the possible outcomes.[ 3 , 6 ] Lengthy titles can be boring and appear unfocused, whereas very short titles may not be representative of the contents of the article; hence, optimum length is required to ensure that the title explains the main theme and content of the manuscript.[ 4 , 5 , 9 ] Abbreviations (except the standard or commonly interpreted ones such as HIV, AIDS, DNA, RNA, CDC, FDA, ECG, and EEG) or acronyms should be avoided in the title, as a reader not familiar with them may skip such an article and nonstandard abbreviations may create problems in indexing the article.[ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 9 , 12 ] Also, too much of technical jargon or chemical formulas in the title may confuse the readers and the article may be skipped by them.[ 4 , 9 ] Numerical values of various parameters (stating study period or sample size) should also be avoided in the titles (unless deemed extremely essential).[ 4 ] It may be worthwhile to take an opinion from a impartial colleague before finalizing the title.[ 4 , 5 , 6 ] Thus, multiple factors (which are, at times, a bit conflicting or contrasting) need to be considered while formulating a title, and hence this should not be done in a hurry.[ 4 , 6 ] Many journals ask the authors to draft a “short title” or “running head” or “running title” for printing in the header or footer of the printed paper.[ 3 , 12 ] This is an abridged version of the main title of up to 40–50 characters, may have standard abbreviations, and helps the reader to navigate through the paper.[ 3 , 12 , 14 ]

Checklist for a good title

Table 1 gives a checklist/useful tips for drafting a good title for a research paper.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 12 ] Table 2 presents some of the titles used by the author of this article in his earlier research papers, and the appropriateness of the titles has been commented upon. As an individual exercise, the reader may try to improvise upon the titles (further) after reading the corresponding abstract and full paper.

Checklist/useful tips for drafting a good title for a research paper

Some titles used by author of this article in his earlier publications and remark/comment on their appropriateness

The Abstract

The details of the abstract are discussed under the subheadings of importance, types, drafting, and checklist.

Importance of the abstract

The abstract is a summary or synopsis of the full research paper and also needs to have similar characteristics like the title. It needs to be simple, direct, specific, functional, clear, unbiased, honest, concise, precise, self-sufficient, complete, comprehensive, scholarly, balanced, and should not be misleading.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 17 ] Writing an abstract is to extract and summarize (AB – absolutely, STR – straightforward, ACT – actual data presentation and interpretation).[ 17 ] The title and abstracts are the only sections of the research paper that are often freely available to the readers on the journal websites, search engines, and in many abstracting agencies/databases, whereas the full paper may attract a payment per view or a fee for downloading the pdf copy.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 14 ] The abstract is an independent and stand-alone (that is, well understood without reading the full paper) section of the manuscript and is used by the editor to decide the fate of the article and to choose appropriate reviewers.[ 2 , 7 , 10 , 12 , 13 ] Even the reviewers are initially supplied only with the title and the abstract before they agree to review the full manuscript.[ 7 , 13 ] This is the second most commonly read part of the manuscript, and therefore it should reflect the contents of the main text of the paper accurately and thus act as a “real trailer” of the full article.[ 2 , 7 , 11 ] The readers will go through the full paper only if they find the abstract interesting and relevant to their practice; else they may skip the paper if the abstract is unimpressive.[ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 ] The abstract needs to highlight the selling point of the manuscript and succeed in luring the reader to read the complete paper.[ 3 , 7 ] The title and the abstract should be constructed using keywords (key terms/important words) from all the sections of the main text.[ 12 ] Abstracts are also used for submitting research papers to a conference for consideration for presentation (as oral paper or poster).[ 9 , 13 , 17 ] Grammatical and typographic errors reflect poorly on the quality of the abstract, may indicate carelessness/casual attitude on part of the author, and hence should be avoided at all times.[ 9 ]

Types of abstracts

The abstracts can be structured or unstructured. They can also be classified as descriptive or informative abstracts.

Structured and unstructured abstracts

Structured abstracts are followed by most journals, are more informative, and include specific subheadings/subsections under which the abstract needs to be composed.[ 1 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 17 , 18 ] These subheadings usually include context/background, objectives, design, setting, participants, interventions, main outcome measures, results, and conclusions.[ 1 ] Some journals stick to the standard IMRAD format for the structure of the abstracts, and the subheadings would include Introduction/Background, Methods, Results, And (instead of Discussion) the Conclusion/s.[ 1 , 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 17 , 18 ] Structured abstracts are more elaborate, informative, easy to read, recall, and peer-review, and hence are preferred; however, they consume more space and can have same limitations as an unstructured abstract.[ 7 , 9 , 18 ] The structured abstracts are (possibly) better understood by the reviewers and readers. Anyway, the choice of the type of the abstract and the subheadings of a structured abstract depend on the particular journal style and is not left to the author's wish.[ 7 , 10 , 12 ] Separate subheadings may be necessary for reporting meta-analysis, educational research, quality improvement work, review, or case study.[ 1 ] Clinical trial abstracts need to include the essential items mentioned in the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials) guidelines.[ 7 , 9 , 14 , 19 ] Similar guidelines exist for various other types of studies, including observational studies and for studies of diagnostic accuracy.[ 20 , 21 ] A useful resource for the above guidelines is available at www.equator-network.org (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research). Unstructured (or non-structured) abstracts are free-flowing, do not have predefined subheadings, and are commonly used for papers that (usually) do not describe original research.[ 1 , 7 , 9 , 10 ]

The four-point structured abstract: This has the following elements which need to be properly balanced with regard to the content/matter under each subheading:[ 9 ]

Background and/or Objectives: This states why the work was undertaken and is usually written in just a couple of sentences.[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 ] The hypothesis/study question and the major objectives are also stated under this subheading.[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 ]

Methods: This subsection is the longest, states what was done, and gives essential details of the study design, setting, participants, blinding, sample size, sampling method, intervention/s, duration and follow-up, research instruments, main outcome measures, parameters evaluated, and how the outcomes were assessed or analyzed.[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 ]

Results/Observations/Findings: This subheading states what was found, is longer, is difficult to draft, and needs to mention important details including the number of study participants, results of analysis (of primary and secondary objectives), and include actual data (numbers, mean, median, standard deviation, “P” values, 95% confidence intervals, effect sizes, relative risks, odds ratio, etc.).[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 ]

Conclusions: The take-home message (the “so what” of the paper) and other significant/important findings should be stated here, considering the interpretation of the research question/hypothesis and results put together (without overinterpreting the findings) and may also include the author's views on the implications of the study.[ 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 ]

The eight-point structured abstract: This has the following eight subheadings – Objectives, Study Design, Study Setting, Participants/Patients, Methods/Intervention, Outcome Measures, Results, and Conclusions.[ 3 , 9 , 18 ] The instructions to authors given by the particular journal state whether they use the four- or eight-point abstract or variants thereof.[ 3 , 14 ]

Descriptive and Informative abstracts

Descriptive abstracts are short (75–150 words), only portray what the paper contains without providing any more details; the reader has to read the full paper to know about its contents and are rarely used for original research papers.[ 7 , 10 ] These are used for case reports, reviews, opinions, and so on.[ 7 , 10 ] Informative abstracts (which may be structured or unstructured as described above) give a complete detailed summary of the article contents and truly reflect the actual research done.[ 7 , 10 ]

Drafting a suitable abstract

It is important to religiously stick to the instructions to authors (format, word limit, font size/style, and subheadings) provided by the journal for which the abstract and the paper are being written.[ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 ] Most journals allow 200–300 words for formulating the abstract and it is wise to restrict oneself to this word limit.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 22 ] Though some authors prefer to draft the abstract initially, followed by the main text of the paper, it is recommended to draft the abstract in the end to maintain accuracy and conformity with the main text of the paper (thus maintaining an easy linkage/alignment with title, on one hand, and the introduction section of the main text, on the other hand).[ 2 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 ] The authors should check the subheadings (of the structured abstract) permitted by the target journal, use phrases rather than sentences to draft the content of the abstract, and avoid passive voice.[ 1 , 7 , 9 , 12 ] Next, the authors need to get rid of redundant words and edit the abstract (extensively) to the correct word count permitted (every word in the abstract “counts”!).[ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 ] It is important to ensure that the key message, focus, and novelty of the paper are not compromised; the rationale of the study and the basis of the conclusions are clear; and that the abstract is consistent with the main text of the paper.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 , 22 ] This is especially important while submitting a revision of the paper (modified after addressing the reviewer's comments), as the changes made in the main (revised) text of the paper need to be reflected in the (revised) abstract as well.[ 2 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 22 ] Abbreviations should be avoided in an abstract, unless they are conventionally accepted or standard; references, tables, or figures should not be cited in the abstract.[ 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 ] It may be worthwhile not to rush with the abstract and to get an opinion by an impartial colleague on the content of the abstract; and if possible, the full paper (an “informal” peer-review).[ 1 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 17 ] Appropriate “Keywords” (three to ten words or phrases) should follow the abstract and should be preferably chosen from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) list of the U.S. National Library of Medicine ( https://meshb.nlm.nih.gov/search ) and are used for indexing purposes.[ 2 , 3 , 11 , 12 ] These keywords need to be different from the words in the main title (the title words are automatically used for indexing the article) and can be variants of the terms/phrases used in the title, or words from the abstract and the main text.[ 3 , 12 ] The ICMJE (International Committee of Medical Journal Editors; http://www.icmje.org/ ) also recommends publishing the clinical trial registration number at the end of the abstract.[ 7 , 14 ]

Checklist for a good abstract

Table 3 gives a checklist/useful tips for formulating a good abstract for a research paper.[ 1 , 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 17 , 22 ]

Checklist/useful tips for formulating a good abstract for a research paper

Concluding Remarks

This review article has given a detailed account of the importance and types of titles and abstracts. It has also attempted to give useful hints for drafting an appropriate title and a complete abstract for a research paper. It is hoped that this review will help the authors in their career in medical writing.

Financial support and sponsorship

Conflicts of interest.

There are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgement

The author thanks Dr. Hemant Deshmukh - Dean, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM Hospital, for granting permission to publish this manuscript.

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The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study. A good title contains the fewest possible words needed to adequately describe the content and/or purpose of your research paper.

Importance of Choosing a Good Title

The title is the part of a paper that is read the most, and it is usually read first . It is, therefore, the most important element that defines the research study. With this in mind, avoid the following when creating a title:

• If the title is too long, this usually indicates there are too many unnecessary words. Avoid language, such as, "A Study to Investigate the...," or "An Examination of the...." These phrases are obvious and generally superfluous unless they are necessary to covey the scope, intent, or type of a study.
• On the other hand, a title which is too short often uses words which are too broad and, thus, does not tell the reader what is being studied. For example, a paper with the title, "African Politics" is so non-specific the title could be the title of a book and so ambiguous that it could refer to anything associated with politics in Africa. A good title should provide information about the focus and/or scope of your research study.
• In academic writing, catchy phrases or non-specific language may be used, but only if it's within the context of the study [e.g., "Fair and Impartial Jury--Catch as Catch Can"]. However, in most cases, you should avoid including words or phrases that do not help the reader understand the purpose of your paper.
• Academic writing is a serious and deliberate endeavor. Avoid using humorous or clever journalistic styles of phrasing when creating the title to your paper. Journalistic headlines often use emotional adjectives [e.g., incredible, amazing, effortless] to highlight a problem experienced by the reader or use "trigger words" or interrogative words like how, what, when, or why to persuade people to read the article or click on a link. These approaches are viewed as counter-productive in academic writing. A reader does not need clever or humorous titles to catch their attention because the act of reading research is assumed to be deliberate based on a desire to learn and improve understanding of the problem. In addition, a humorous title can merely detract from the seriousness and authority of your research. 
• Unlike everywhere else in a college-level social sciences research paper [except when using direct quotes in the text], titles do not have to adhere to rigid grammatical or stylistic standards. For example, it could be appropriate to begin a title with a coordinating conjunction [i.e., and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet] if it makes sense to do so and does not detract from the purpose of the study [e.g., "Yet Another Look at Mutual Fund Tournaments"] or beginning the title with an inflected form of a verb such as those ending in -ing [e.g., "Assessing the Political Landscape: Structure, Cognition, and Power in Organizations"].

Appiah, Kingsley Richard et al. “Structural Organisation of Research Article Titles: A Comparative Study of Titles of Business, Gynaecology and Law.” Advances in Language and Literary Studies 10 (2019); Hartley James. “To Attract or to Inform: What are Titles for?” Journal of Technical Writing and Communication 35 (2005): 203-213; Jaakkola, Maarit. “Journalistic Writing and Style.” In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication . Jon F. Nussbaum, editor. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2018): https://oxfordre.com/communication.

Structure and Writing Style

The following parameters can be used to help you formulate a suitable research paper title:

• The purpose of the research
• The scope of the research
• The narrative tone of the paper [typically defined by the type of the research]
• The methods used to study the problem

The initial aim of a title is to capture the reader’s attention and to highlight the research problem under investigation.

Create a Working Title Typically, the final title you submit to your professor is created after the research is complete so that the title accurately captures what has been done . The working title should be developed early in the research process because it can help anchor the focus of the study in much the same way the research problem does. Referring back to the working title can help you reorient yourself back to the main purpose of the study if you find yourself drifting off on a tangent while writing. The Final Title Effective titles in research papers have several characteristics that reflect general principles of academic writing.

• Indicate accurately the subject and scope of the study,
• Rarely use abbreviations or acronyms unless they are commonly known,
• Use words that create a positive impression and stimulate reader interest,
• Use current nomenclature from the field of study,
• Identify key variables, both dependent and independent,
• Reveal how the paper will be organized,
• Suggest a relationship between variables which supports the major hypothesis,
• Is limited to 5 to 15 substantive words,
• Does not include redundant phrasing, such as, "A Study of," "An Analysis of" or similar constructions,
• Takes the form of a question or declarative statement,
• If you use a quote as part of the title, the source of the quote is cited [usually using an asterisk and footnote],
• Use correct grammar and capitalization with all first words and last words capitalized, including the first word of a subtitle. All nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that appear between the first and last words of the title are also capitalized, and
• Rarely uses an exclamation mark at the end of the title.

The Subtitle Subtitles are frequently used in social sciences research papers because it helps the reader understand the scope of the study in relation to how it was designed to address the research problem. Think about what type of subtitle listed below reflects the overall approach to your study and whether you believe a subtitle is needed to emphasize the investigative parameters of your research.

1.  Explains or provides additional context , e.g., "Linguistic Ethnography and the Study of Welfare Institutions as a Flow of Social Practices: The Case of Residential Child Care Institutions as Paradoxical Institutions." [Palomares, Manuel and David Poveda.  Text & Talk: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Language, Discourse and Communication Studies 30 (January 2010): 193-212]

2.  Adds substance to a literary, provocative, or imaginative title or quote , e.g., "Listen to What I Say, Not How I Vote": Congressional Support for the President in Washington and at Home." [Grose, Christian R. and Keesha M. Middlemass. Social Science Quarterly 91 (March 2010): 143-167]

3.  Qualifies the geographic scope of the research , e.g., "The Geopolitics of the Eastern Border of the European Union: The Case of Romania-Moldova-Ukraine." [Marcu, Silvia. Geopolitics 14 (August 2009): 409-432]

4.  Qualifies the temporal scope of the research , e.g., "A Comparison of the Progressive Era and the Depression Years: Societal Influences on Predictions of the Future of the Library, 1895-1940." [Grossman, Hal B. Libraries & the Cultural Record 46 (2011): 102-128]

5.  Focuses on investigating the ideas, theories, or work of a particular individual , e.g., "A Deliberative Conception of Politics: How Francesco Saverio Merlino Related Anarchy and Democracy." [La Torre, Massimo. Sociologia del Diritto 28 (January 2001): 75 - 98]

6.  Identifies the methodology used , e.g. "Student Activism of the 1960s Revisited: A Multivariate Analysis Research Note." [Aron, William S. Social Forces 52 (March 1974): 408-414]

7.  Defines the overarching technique for analyzing the research problem , e.g., "Explaining Territorial Change in Federal Democracies: A Comparative Historical Institutionalist Approach." [ Tillin, Louise. Political Studies 63 (August 2015): 626-641.

With these examples in mind, think about what type of subtitle reflects the overall approach to your study. This will help the reader understand the scope of the study in relation to how it was designed to address the research problem.

Anstey, A. “Writing Style: What's in a Title?” British Journal of Dermatology 170 (May 2014): 1003-1004; Balch, Tucker. How to Compose a Title for Your Research Paper. Augmented Trader blog. School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Tech University; Bavdekar, Sandeep B. “Formulating the Right Title for a Research Article.” Journal of Association of Physicians of India 64 (February 2016); Choosing the Proper Research Paper Titles. AplusReports.com, 2007-2012; Eva, Kevin W. “Titles, Abstracts, and Authors.” In How to Write a Paper . George M. Hall, editor. 5th edition. (Oxford: John Wiley and Sons, 2013), pp. 33-41; Hartley James. “To Attract or to Inform: What are Titles for?” Journal of Technical Writing and Communication 35 (2005): 203-213; General Format. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Kerkut G.A. “Choosing a Title for a Paper.” Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology 74 (1983): 1; “Tempting Titles.” In Stylish Academic Writing . Helen Sword, editor. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2012), pp. 63-75; Nundy, Samiran, et al. “How to Choose a Title?” In How to Practice Academic Medicine and Publish from Developing Countries? A Practical Guide . Edited by Samiran Nundy, Atul Kakar, and Zulfiqar A. Bhutta. (Springer Singapore, 2022), pp. 185-192.

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How to write a good research paper title

“Unread science is lost science .”

Credit: Mykyta Dolmatov/Getty

“Unread science is lost science.”

28 July 2020

Mykyta Dolmatov/Getty

With the influx of publications brought on by the pandemic, it’s become more challenging than ever for researchers to attract attention to their work.

Understanding which elements of a title will attract readers – or turn them away – has been proven to increase a paper’s citations and Altmetric score .

“In the era of information overload, most students and researchers do not have time to browse the entire text of a paper,” says Patrick Pu , a librarian at the National University of Singapore.

“The title of a paper, together with its abstract, become very important to capture and sustain the attention of readers.”

1. A good title avoids technical language

Since the primary audience of a paper is likely to be researchers working in the same field, using technical language in the title seems to make sense.

But this alienates the wider lay audience, which can bring valuable attention to your work . It can also alienate inexperienced researchers, or those who have recently entered the field.

“A good title does not use unnecessary jargon,” says Elisa De Ranieri , editor-in-chief at the Nature Communications journal (published by Springer Nature, which also publishes Nature Index.) “It communicates the main results in the study in a way that is clear and accessible, ideally to non-specialists or researchers new to the field.”

How-to: When crafting a title, says De Ranieri, write down the main result of the manuscript in a short paragraph. Shorten the text to make it more concise, while still remaining descriptive. Repeat this process until you have a title of fewer than 15 words.

2. A good title is easily searchable

Most readers today are accessing e-journals, which are indexed in scholarly databases such as Scopus and Google Scholar.

“Although these databases usually index the full text of papers, retrieval weightage for ‘Title’ is usually higher than other fields, such as ‘Results’,” Pu explains.

At the National University of Singapore, Pu and his colleagues run information literacy programmes for editors and authors. They give advice for publishing best practice, such as how to identify the most commonly used keywords in literature searches in a given field.

“A professor once told us how he discovered that industry experts were using a different term or keyword to describe his research area,” says Pu.

“He had written a seminal paper that did not include this ‘industry keyword’. He believes his paper, which was highly cited by academics, would have a higher citation count if he had included this keyword in the title. As librarians, we try to highlight this example to our students so that they will consider all possible keywords to use in their searches and paper titles.”

How-to: Authors should speak to an academic librarian at their institution to gain an understanding of keyword and search trends in their field of research. This should inform how the paper title is written.

3. A good title is substantiated by data

Authors should be cautious to not make any claims in the title that can’t be backed up by evidence.

“For instance, if you make a discovery with potential therapeutic relevance, the title should specify whether it was tested or studied in animals or humans/human samples,” says Irene Jarchum , senior editor at the journal Nature Biotechnology (also published by Springer Nature, which publishes the Nature Index.)

Jarchum adds that titles can be contentious because different authors have different views on the use of specific words, such as acronyms, or more fundamentally, what the main message of the title should be.

Some authors may over-interpret the significance of their preliminary findings, and want to reflect this in the title.

How-to: If you know your paper will be contentious within the scientific community, have the data ready to defend your decisions .

4. A good title sparks curiosity

A one-liner that sparks a reader’s interest can be very effective.

“A title has to pique the interest of the person searching for literature in a split-second – enough that they click on the title to read the abstract. Unread science is lost science,” says Christine Mayer , editor-in-chief of the journal Advanced Therapeutics .

Paper titles such as, "White and wonderful? Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic" ( 2019 Science ), and “Kids these days: Why the youth of today seem lacking” ( 2019 Science Advances ) are good examples of this principle. Both papers have high Altmetric Attention scores, indicating that they have been widely read and discussed online.

How-to: Take note of the characteristics of paper titles that spark your own interest. Keep a record of these and apply the same principles to your own paper titles.

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Maximize search-ability and engage your readers from the very beginning

Your title is the first thing anyone who reads your article is going to see, and for many it will be where they stop reading. Learn how to write a title that helps readers find your article, draws your audience in and sets the stage for your research!

How your title impacts the success of your article

Researchers are busy and there will always be more articles to read than time to read them.  Good titles help readers find your research, and decide whether to keep reading. Search engines use titles to retrieve relevant articles based on users’ keyword searches. Once readers find your article, they’ll use the title as the first filter to decide whether your research is what they’re looking for. A strong and specific title is the first step toward citations, inclusion in meta-analyses, and influencing your field. 

What to include in a title

Include the most important information that will signal to your target audience that they should keep reading.

Key information about the study design

Important keywords

What you discovered

Writing tips

Getting the title right can be more difficult than it seems, and researchers refine their writing skills throughout their career. Some journals even help editors to re-write their titles during the publication process! 

• Keep it concise and informative What’s appropriate for titles varies greatly across disciplines. Take a look at some articles published in your field, and check the journal guidelines for character limits. Aim for fewer than 12 words, and check for journal specific word limits.
• Write for your audience Consider who your primary audience is: are they specialists in your specific field, are they cross-disciplinary, are they non-specialists?
• Entice the reader Find a way to pique your readers’ interest, give them enough information to keep them reading.
• Incorporate important keywords Consider what about your article will be most interesting to your audience: Most readers come to an article from a search engine, so take some time and include the important ones in your title!
• Write in sentence case In scientific writing, titles are given in sentence case. Capitalize only the first word of the text, proper nouns, and genus names. See our examples below.

Don’t

• Write your title as a question In most cases, you shouldn’t need to frame your title as a question. You have the answers, you know what you found. Writing your title as a question might draw your readers in, but it’s more likely to put them off.
• Sensationalize your research Be honest with yourself about what you truly discovered. A sensationalized or dramatic title might make a few extra people read a bit further into your article, but you don’t want them disappointed when they get to the results.

Examples…

Format: Prevalence of [disease] in [population] in [location]

Example: Prevalence of tuberculosis in homeless women in San Francisco

Format: Risk factors for [condition] among [population] in [location]

Example: Risk factors for preterm births among low-income women in Mexico City

Format (systematic review/meta-analysis): Effectiveness of [treatment] for [disease] in [population] for [outcome] : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Example: Effectiveness of Hepatitis B treatment in HIV-infected adolescents in the prevention of liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Format (clinical trial): [Intervention] improved [symptoms] of [disease] in [population] : A randomized controlled clinical trial

Example: Using a sleep app lessened insomnia in post-menopausal women in southwest United States: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Format  (general molecular studies): Characterization/identification/evaluation of [molecule name] in/from [organism/tissue] (b y [specific biological methods] ) 

Example: Identification of putative Type-I sex pheromone biosynthesis-related genes expressed in the female pheromone gland of Streltzoviella insularis

Format  (general molecular studies): [specific methods/analysis] of organism/tissue reveal insights into [function/role] of [molecule name] in [biological process]  

Example: Transcriptome landscape of Rafflesia cantleyi floral buds reveals insights into the roles of transcription factors and phytohormones in flower development

Format  (software/method papers): [tool/method/software] for [what purpose] in [what research area]

Example: CRISPR-based tools for targeted transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in plants

Tip: How to edit your work

Editing is challenging, especially if you are acting as both a writer and an editor. Read our guidelines for advice on how to refine your work, including useful tips for setting your intentions, re-review, and consultation with colleagues.

• How to Write an Abstract
• How to Write Your Methods
• How to Report Statistics
• How to Write Discussions and Conclusions
• How to Edit Your Work

The contents of the Peer Review Center are also available as a live, interactive training session, complete with slides, talking points, and activities. …

The contents of the Writing Center are also available as a live, interactive training session, complete with slides, talking points, and activities. …

There’s a lot to consider when deciding where to submit your work. Learn how to choose a journal that will help your study reach its audience, while reflecting your values as a researcher…

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Title, Abstract and Keywords

The importance of titles.

The title of your manuscript is usually the first introduction readers (and reviewers) have to your work. Therefore, you must select a title that grabs attention, accurately describes the contents of your manuscript, and makes people want to read further.

An effective title should:

• Convey the  main topics  of the study
• Highlight the  importance  of the research
• Be  concise
• Attract  readers

Writing a good title for your manuscript can be challenging. First, list the topics covered by the manuscript. Try to put all of the topics together in the title using as few words as possible. A title that is too long will seem clumsy, annoy readers, and probably not meet journal requirements.

Does Vaccinating Children and Adolescents with Inactivated Influenza Virus Inhibit the Spread of Influenza in Unimmunized Residents of Rural Communities?

This title has too many unnecessary words.

Influenza Vaccination of Children: A Randomized Trial

This title doesn’t give enough information about what makes the manuscript interesting.

Effect of Child Influenza Vaccination on Infection Rates in Rural Communities: A Randomized Trial This is an effective title. It is short, easy to understand, and conveys the important aspects of the research.

Think about why your research will be of interest to other scientists. This should be related to the reason you decided to study the topic. If your title makes this clear, it will likely attract more readers to your manuscript. TIP: Write down a few possible titles, and then select the best to refine further. Ask your colleagues their opinion. Spending the time needed to do this will result in a better title.

Abstract and Keywords

The Abstract is:

• A  summary  of the content of the journal manuscript
• A time-saving  shortcut  for busy researchers
• A guide to the most important parts of your manuscript’s written content

Many readers will only read the Abstract of your manuscript. Therefore, it has to be able to  stand alone . In most cases the abstract is the only part of your article that appears in indexing databases such as Web of Science or PubMed and so will be the most accessed part of your article; making a good impression will encourage researchers to read your full paper.

A well written abstract can also help speed up the peer-review process. During peer review, referees are usually only sent the abstract when invited to review the paper. Therefore, the abstract needs to contain enough information about the paper to allow referees to make a judgement as to whether they have enough expertise to review the paper and be engaging enough for them to want to review it.

Your Abstract should answer these questions about your manuscript:

• What was done?
• Why did you do it?
• What did you find?
• Why are these findings useful and important?

Answering these questions lets readers know the most important points about your study, and helps them decide whether they want to read the rest of the paper. Make sure you follow the proper journal manuscript formatting guidelines when preparing your abstract.

TIP: Journals often set a maximum word count for Abstracts, often 250 words, and no citations. This is to ensure that the full Abstract appears in indexing services.

Keywords  are a tool to help indexers and search engines find relevant papers. If database search engines can find your journal manuscript, readers will be able to find it too. This will increase the number of people reading your manuscript, and likely lead to more citations.

However, to be effective, Keywords must be chosen carefully. They should:

• Represent  the content of your manuscript
• Be  specific  to your field or sub-field

Manuscript title:  Direct observation of nonlinear optics in an isolated carbon nanotube

Poor keywords:  molecule, optics, lasers, energy lifetime

Better keywords:  single-molecule interaction, Kerr effect, carbon nanotubes, energy level structure

Manuscript title:  Region-specific neuronal degeneration after okadaic acid administration Poor keywords:  neuron, brain, OA (an abbreviation), regional-specific neuronal degeneration, signaling

Better keywords:  neurodegenerative diseases; CA1 region, hippocampal; okadaic acid; neurotoxins; MAP kinase signaling system; cell death

Manuscript title:  Increases in levels of sediment transport at former glacial-interglacial transitions

Poor keywords:  climate change, erosion, plant effects Better keywords:  quaternary climate change, soil erosion, bioturbation

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Writing Effective Research Paper Titles: Advice and Examples

Are you ready to submit your research paper for publication but haven't settled on a title yet? Do you have a title but aren't sure if it will be the right one for the journal editor or research database search engines? This article will help you fine tune or create an effective research paper title for your work.

Now that you have finished your research and analysis, and you're ready to take the final step before sending your work to journal editors and reviewers. The first thing journal editors and search engine results will see and show is your research paper title. Creating an effective research paper title is highly important to getting your paper in front of the right people. It is also going to be the only part of your paper that is available to everyone for free, and it will be what search engines use to index and show your work in search results. You therefore must design a clear and persuasive title that accurately represents your work.

When writing an effective research paper title, you want to ensure that the title includes all the relevant aspects of your work. Showcase those aspects in a way that entices the audience to read more. Be sure to use the nomenclature common in your field of study, because that will help your work show up in more search results and it will grab the attention of journal editors looking for articles that clearly represent the industry. If you are studying landslides, for example, you will want to include keywords relating to soil composition or grain size; if you are working on a study about organ transplants, then include the specific feature or procedure that affected successful transplants. Identify what parts of your research are going to interest your intended audience.

There are two key pieces of information that people will need to see in your paper title: the subject and the objective. Because you are already familiar with your study and its purpose, creating an effective research paper title is simply a matter of whittling down the words that describe the important aspects of your paper. The advice below will help you take steps to identify key areas of your research, organize the information, and trim it down to the right size for a title.

Develop a topic statement

To get started, consider a topic statement of your paper that includes the subject and scope of the study. The first step in building a topic statement is to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your research paper about? "My paper is about gene therapy and how it can improve cognitive function in dementia patients."
• What was the subject of your study? "I used data from 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US."
• What method did you use to perform your research? "I performed a randomized trial."
• What were the results? "My study showed that gene therapy improved cognitive function in those who received the treatment."

Once you have answered those questions (such as in the example answers above), make a list of the keywords you used. For this example, those keywords would include the following:

• gene therapy
• cognitive function
• 40 dementia patients
• improved cognitive function
• 10 states in the US
• randomized trial

Then, create your topic statement using those keywords. It might read something like this:

"This study is a randomized trial that investigates whether gene therapy improved cognitive function in 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US. The results show improved cognitive function in those who received the treatment."

This statement has 36 words — too long for a title. However, it does contain the main required elements: the subject and the objective. It also includes a summary of the results, which can be used to increase the persuasive nature of the title. If you are writing this down on paper, it may be helpful to underline or circle the keywords you used in the statement, as this will help you visually see how the keywords work together in your statement.

Trim the statement

The next step is to remove all unnecessary words to create a working title. Unnecessary words include elements that make the sentences complete sentences. Also remove words that are not central to your study or that would not be used in a research database search.

" This study is a randomized trial that investigates whether gene therapy improved cognitive function in 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US. The results show improved cognitive function in those who received the treatment ."

Next, take those words and move them around to form a new phrase. This may take a few tries to get it right, but it is worth the time.

"A randomized trial investigating whether gene therapy improved cognitive function in 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US showed improved cognitive function."

This sample now has 24 words. We still need to get it down to the ideal 15 or fewer total words, with just the exact information journal editors will want. One way to do this is to use the keywords at the beginning and end of your title. Remove any irrelevant facts that other researchers will not be searching for. For example, the method you used is not usually the most searched-for keyword.

" A randomized trial investigating whether gene therapy improved cognitive function in 40 dementia patients from 10 states in the US showed improved cognitive function. "

The final result may be something like this:

"Investigating the impact of gene therapy on cognitive function in dementia patients"

The resulting title has 13 words, had the main action at the beginning, and the main subject of the study at the end. This is a good example of how to create an effective research paper title that will increase journal editors' and reviewers' interest, and it may even help your paper receive more citations down the road.

Main tips to remember

If you are working on your first research paper title, the process can seem intimidating. Even with the process outlined above, creating the best research paper title possible for your work can be difficult and time consuming. Be sure to set aside a good amount of time to developing your title so that you don't feel rushed. Some writers go through 20 or more iterations before they arrive at a title that achieves effectiveness, persuasiveness, and clarity of purpose all in one.

In addition to the above process, keep the following main tips in mind when writing an effective research paper title:

• Write your paper and abstract first, then work on your title. This will make the process much easier than trying to nail a title down without a full, finished paper to start from.
• Keep your title short! Do not include more than 15 words.
• Do not use a period at the end of your title.
• Be sure that the keywords you use truly represent the content of your paper.
• Do not use abbreviations in your title.
• Include all essential key terms from your paper. This ensures your paper will be indexed properly in research databases and search engines. If you are unsure of the best keywords to use, talk to an academic librarian at your institution. They can help you identify keyword and search trends in your research field.

Examples of research paper titles

The lists below illustrate what effective and ineffective research paper titles look like. Use these examples to help guide your research paper title.

Effective titles

• Nurses on the Move: A Quantitative Report on How Meditation Can Improve Nurse Performance
• Correction of the ion transport defect in cystic fibrosis transgenic mice by gene therapy
• Landslide mapping techniques and their use in the assessment of the landslide hazard
• HLA compatibility and organ transplant survival: Collaborative Transplant Study

Ineffective titles

• Meditation Gurus
• The landslide story
• Landslide hazard and risk assessment
• Pharmacodynamics of oral ganciclovir and valganciclovir in solid organ transplant recipients

No matter what kind of field you are doing research in, you have the opportunity to create an amazing and effective research paper title that will engage your readers and get your paper in front of the journal editors and reviewers you want. By taking the time to go through the title development process, you will finish your work with a title that matches the work outlined in your research paper.

Header photo by Stokkete .

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How to Write a Research Paper Title

Knowing how to write a research paper title is an art that not every researcher possesses, and researchers often spend a lot of time skimming through articles to find the right research paper title.

According to an interesting estimate, researchers read more than 100 publications every year and spend long hours, weeks and months searching for and reading articles relevant to their field of study. 1 While open access publishing and online repositories have made it easier to find articles, researchers still need to browse through a sea of research, often using research paper titles, to find relevant information for their research study. Researchers also face the challenge of ensuring their work reaches a broader audience in order to get more citations. This is where the importance of a good title for a research paper becomes evident.

Your research paper title is one of the first things readers in your research paper and plays an important role in influencing whether they will actually go through the entire article. This makes it critical to have a good research paper title that captures the reader’s attention. In this article, we look at the key characteristics of a good research title and what to keep in mind to create a research title that works for you.

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What to keep in mind when writing a research paper title

• Convey the key research findings: Before writing a research paper title, list down what your study is about, what you have achieved or discovered, and the methodology used. Try and identify the one or two key elements that make your study novel or significant in your subject area. Combine these elements to create the best research title that showcases your article accurately and effectively.
• Choose a declarative research paper title : Declarative titles are more informative and help readers to quickly grasp what the body of the article may contain. Therefore, it is considered to be more impactful and more likely to attract the reader’s attention. Additionally, most editors agree that papers with declarative titles are more likely to be shared online, allowing researchers to reach a far wider audience. 2
• A good research title must pique reader interest : Researchers browsing through online platforms during their literature search often spend only a few seconds to read the title and evaluate an article’s relevance. This makes it important to create a catchy title for your research paper that will spark curiosity in the minds of your audience, which may prompt them pause, read, share, and discuss your research paper.
• Avoid making any unsubstantiated claims: This is an important aspect to keep in mind when creating research paper titles. While it may be tempting to write titles with claims that will immediately attract reader attention and get you more citations, your research should be able to back-up these claims with substantive, studied evidence. Failing to do so can create mistrust about the research and even hurt your reputation.
• Keep it simple and avoid jargon: It’s tempting to use technical words in a research paper title when you know that your primary audience is most likely to be other researchers working in the same field. However, this can prove counter-productive as readers who are not familiar with these complicated words may end up skipping your article. Some early career researchers might also give your paper a pass as they may feel that it is too technical for them so avoid using jargon.

Let Paperpal generate a suitable title for your content in minutes. Try it now!

• Use phrases to keep your research title concise: One mistake early career researchers make is using full sentences to write the research paper title. Avoid complex phrases and unnecessary details as it makes the title unnecessarily lengthy. Remember to ensure proper syntax when trying to rephrase the title to make it leaner. A good research paper title offers a concise summary of the paper’s content; keep your title to under 12 words as lengthy titles can be hard to understand and may seem unfocused and uninteresting.
• Include keywords to make your article discoverable: Today most researchers turn to online databases and search engines like Google Scholar to find the right research. This makes it critical to identify and use the best keywords for your research subject/topic when creating a research title. The best research paper title is one that is easily discoverable, making it easy for your readers to find and read your article.

A review of more than 150,000 papers  submitted to UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) database found that the style of a research paper’s title impacted the number of citations it would typically receive. 3 Writing a good research paper title is worth the time and effort, and we’re sure the points listed above will help!

How to generate research paper titles with Paperpal?

A research paper title is the first impression for journal editors, reviewers, and readers to understand the aim and purpose of your research study. However, picking a research paper title that encapsulates your research’s content can be daunting. Your research paper title should accurately capture your work, contain highly searched keywords, and should also sound interesting to people who work on a similar topic.   

Paperpal’s secure generative AI helps you write research paper titles twice as fast, ensuring they align with your research topic. Follow these simple steps to create an impactful research paper title: 

• Sign Up or Log In: Start by creating an account or logging into Paperpal . 
• Paste your content: Once logged in, paste your research paper’s content or abstract onto the document. 
• Generate your title: Click on ‘Templates’ in the side navigation pane, go to Titles, and select ‘Generate’ . 

Paperpal will analyze your content and propose a fitting research paper title. If it doesn’t quite hit the mark, simply click regenerate to get additional title options until you find the perfect one. Remember, while Paperpal provides a solid starting point, personalizing the title to capture the essence of your research is key to making it stand out.  

• How Scientists Retrieve Publications: An Empirical Study of How the Internet Is Overtaking Paper Media. Journal of Electronic Publishing, December 2000. [Accessed November 3, 2022] Available at https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jep/3336451.0006.202?view=text;rgn=main
• Di Girolamo, N. Health care articles with simple and declarative titles were more likely to be in the Altmetric Top 100. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, December 2016. [Accessed November 3, 2022] Available at https://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(16)30853-8/fulltext
• Hudson, J. An analysis of the titles of papers submitted to the UK REF in 2014: authors, disciplines, and stylistic details. Scientometrics, July 2016. [Accessed November 3, 2022] Available at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11192-016-2081-4

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It is generally recommended to avoid using a question to write a good research paper title. Titles should be concise and informative, conveying the main focus of the study. While questions can be used in the introduction or research objectives, a clear and declarative title is preferred to accurately represent the content and purpose of the research.

A research paper title should be concise and to the point. Ideally, it should be around 10 to 12 words or less. A shorter title is more effective in grabbing readers’ attention and conveying the main idea succinctly. However, it’s important to ensure that the title still accurately represents the research and provides enough information for readers to understand the scope of the study.

Including specific keywords related to the research topic can be beneficial. Keywords help in indexing and searching for relevant papers. However, it is not necessary to include all keywords in the title. Instead, focus on incorporating essential and relevant keywords that reflect the core aspects of the study. Use keywords that are commonly used and recognized in the field to increase the discoverability and relevance of your research.

Abbreviations or acronyms should generally be avoided in the research paper title. The title should be clear and easily understandable to a broad audience. If an abbreviation is commonly used in the field and is essential to convey the research focus, it can be included, but it’s important to provide the full term upon its first mention in the paper for clarity.

Whether you can change the research paper title after submission depends on the specific guidelines and policies of the journal or conference. Some publications allow minor revisions, including title changes, during the review process. However, it is best to ensure that the title is carefully chosen and reviewed before submission. If a change is necessary, it is recommended to contact the editor or conference organizers for guidance on whether it’s permissible to modify the title.

The preferred formatting style for research paper titles varies depending on the specific guidelines of the target journal or conference. Generally, sentence case is commonly used, where only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. However, some publications may prefer title case, where the first letter of each major word is capitalized. It is important to carefully review the submission guidelines or consult the specific style guide recommended by the publication to ensure consistency with their preferred formatting style.

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

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Related Reads:

How to write a research paper outline: simple steps for researchers.

• Manuscript Withdrawal: Reasons, Consequences, and How to Withdraw Submitted Manuscripts
• Supplementary Materials in Research: 5 Tips for Authors
• What is an Expository Essay and How to Write It

The Ethics of Using AI in Research and Scientific Writing

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Writing a scientific paper.

• Writing a lab report

What is a "good" title?

"title checklist" from: how to write a good scientific paper. chris a. mack. spie. 2018., other hints for writing a title.

• INTRODUCTION
• LITERATURE CITED
• Bibliography of guides to scientific writing and presenting
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The title will be read by many people. Only a few will read the entire paper, therefore all words in the title should be chosen with care. Too short a title is not helpful to the potential reader. However too long a title can sometimes be even less meaningful. Remember a title is not an abstract. Also a title is not a sentence.

Goals: • Fewest possible words that describe the contents of the paper. • Avoid waste words like "Studies on", or "Investigations on" • Use specific terms rather than general • Watch your word order and syntax • Avoid abbreviations and jargon

 The title should be clear and informative, and should reflect the aim and approach of the work.

 The title should be as specific as possible while still describing the full range of the work. Does the title, seen in isolation, give a full yet concise and specific indication of the work reported?

 Do not mention results or conclusions in the title.

 Avoid: overly clever or punny titles that will not fare well with search engines or international audiences; titles that are too short to be descriptive or too long to be read; jargon, acronyms, or trademarked terms. 

• Whenever possible, use a declarative rather than a neutral title
• Don't end your title with a question mark?
• Begin with the keywords
• Use verbs instead of abstract nouns
• Avoid abbrev. in the title

From: How to Write and Illustrate a Scientific Paper (2008)

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13.1 Formatting a Research Paper

Learning objectives.

• Identify the major components of a research paper written using American Psychological Association (APA) style.
• Apply general APA style and formatting conventions in a research paper.

In this chapter, you will learn how to use APA style , the documentation and formatting style followed by the American Psychological Association, as well as MLA style , from the Modern Language Association. There are a few major formatting styles used in academic texts, including AMA, Chicago, and Turabian:

• AMA (American Medical Association) for medicine, health, and biological sciences
• APA (American Psychological Association) for education, psychology, and the social sciences
• Chicago—a common style used in everyday publications like magazines, newspapers, and books
• MLA (Modern Language Association) for English, literature, arts, and humanities
• Turabian—another common style designed for its universal application across all subjects and disciplines

While all the formatting and citation styles have their own use and applications, in this chapter we focus our attention on the two styles you are most likely to use in your academic studies: APA and MLA.

If you find that the rules of proper source documentation are difficult to keep straight, you are not alone. Writing a good research paper is, in and of itself, a major intellectual challenge. Having to follow detailed citation and formatting guidelines as well may seem like just one more task to add to an already-too-long list of requirements.

Following these guidelines, however, serves several important purposes. First, it signals to your readers that your paper should be taken seriously as a student’s contribution to a given academic or professional field; it is the literary equivalent of wearing a tailored suit to a job interview. Second, it shows that you respect other people’s work enough to give them proper credit for it. Finally, it helps your reader find additional materials if he or she wishes to learn more about your topic.

Furthermore, producing a letter-perfect APA-style paper need not be burdensome. Yes, it requires careful attention to detail. However, you can simplify the process if you keep these broad guidelines in mind:

• Work ahead whenever you can. Chapter 11 “Writing from Research: What Will I Learn?” includes tips for keeping track of your sources early in the research process, which will save time later on.
• Get it right the first time. Apply APA guidelines as you write, so you will not have much to correct during the editing stage. Again, putting in a little extra time early on can save time later.
• Use the resources available to you. In addition to the guidelines provided in this chapter, you may wish to consult the APA website at http://www.apa.org or the Purdue University Online Writing lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu , which regularly updates its online style guidelines.

General Formatting Guidelines

This chapter provides detailed guidelines for using the citation and formatting conventions developed by the American Psychological Association, or APA. Writers in disciplines as diverse as astrophysics, biology, psychology, and education follow APA style. The major components of a paper written in APA style are listed in the following box.

These are the major components of an APA-style paper:

Body, which includes the following:

• Headings and, if necessary, subheadings to organize the content
• In-text citations of research sources
• References page

All these components must be saved in one document, not as separate documents.

The title page of your paper includes the following information:

• Title of the paper
• Author’s name
• Name of the institution with which the author is affiliated
• Header at the top of the page with the paper title (in capital letters) and the page number (If the title is lengthy, you may use a shortened form of it in the header.)

List the first three elements in the order given in the previous list, centered about one third of the way down from the top of the page. Use the headers and footers tool of your word-processing program to add the header, with the title text at the left and the page number in the upper-right corner. Your title page should look like the following example.

The next page of your paper provides an abstract , or brief summary of your findings. An abstract does not need to be provided in every paper, but an abstract should be used in papers that include a hypothesis. A good abstract is concise—about one hundred fifty to two hundred fifty words—and is written in an objective, impersonal style. Your writing voice will not be as apparent here as in the body of your paper. When writing the abstract, take a just-the-facts approach, and summarize your research question and your findings in a few sentences.

In Chapter 12 “Writing a Research Paper” , you read a paper written by a student named Jorge, who researched the effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets. Read Jorge’s abstract. Note how it sums up the major ideas in his paper without going into excessive detail.

Write an abstract summarizing your paper. Briefly introduce the topic, state your findings, and sum up what conclusions you can draw from your research. Use the word count feature of your word-processing program to make sure your abstract does not exceed one hundred fifty words.

Depending on your field of study, you may sometimes write research papers that present extensive primary research, such as your own experiment or survey. In your abstract, summarize your research question and your findings, and briefly indicate how your study relates to prior research in the field.

Margins, Pagination, and Headings

APA style requirements also address specific formatting concerns, such as margins, pagination, and heading styles, within the body of the paper. Review the following APA guidelines.

Use these general guidelines to format the paper:

• Set the top, bottom, and side margins of your paper at 1 inch.
• Use double-spaced text throughout your paper.
• Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in a legible size (10- to 12-point).
• Use continuous pagination throughout the paper, including the title page and the references section. Page numbers appear flush right within your header.
• Section headings and subsection headings within the body of your paper use different types of formatting depending on the level of information you are presenting. Additional details from Jorge’s paper are provided.

Begin formatting the final draft of your paper according to APA guidelines. You may work with an existing document or set up a new document if you choose. Include the following:

• Your title page
• The abstract you created in Note 13.8 “Exercise 1”
• Correct headers and page numbers for your title page and abstract

APA style uses section headings to organize information, making it easy for the reader to follow the writer’s train of thought and to know immediately what major topics are covered. Depending on the length and complexity of the paper, its major sections may also be divided into subsections, sub-subsections, and so on. These smaller sections, in turn, use different heading styles to indicate different levels of information. In essence, you are using headings to create a hierarchy of information.

The following heading styles used in APA formatting are listed in order of greatest to least importance:

• Section headings use centered, boldface type. Headings use title case, with important words in the heading capitalized.
• Subsection headings use left-aligned, boldface type. Headings use title case.
• The third level uses left-aligned, indented, boldface type. Headings use a capital letter only for the first word, and they end in a period.
• The fourth level follows the same style used for the previous level, but the headings are boldfaced and italicized.
• The fifth level follows the same style used for the previous level, but the headings are italicized and not boldfaced.

Visually, the hierarchy of information is organized as indicated in Table 13.1 “Section Headings” .

Table 13.1 Section Headings

A college research paper may not use all the heading levels shown in Table 13.1 “Section Headings” , but you are likely to encounter them in academic journal articles that use APA style. For a brief paper, you may find that level 1 headings suffice. Longer or more complex papers may need level 2 headings or other lower-level headings to organize information clearly. Use your outline to craft your major section headings and determine whether any subtopics are substantial enough to require additional levels of headings.

Working with the document you developed in Note 13.11 “Exercise 2” , begin setting up the heading structure of the final draft of your research paper according to APA guidelines. Include your title and at least two to three major section headings, and follow the formatting guidelines provided above. If your major sections should be broken into subsections, add those headings as well. Use your outline to help you.

Because Jorge used only level 1 headings, his Exercise 3 would look like the following:

Citation Guidelines

In-text citations.

Throughout the body of your paper, include a citation whenever you quote or paraphrase material from your research sources. As you learned in Chapter 11 “Writing from Research: What Will I Learn?” , the purpose of citations is twofold: to give credit to others for their ideas and to allow your reader to follow up and learn more about the topic if desired. Your in-text citations provide basic information about your source; each source you cite will have a longer entry in the references section that provides more detailed information.

In-text citations must provide the name of the author or authors and the year the source was published. (When a given source does not list an individual author, you may provide the source title or the name of the organization that published the material instead.) When directly quoting a source, it is also required that you include the page number where the quote appears in your citation.

This information may be included within the sentence or in a parenthetical reference at the end of the sentence, as in these examples.

Epstein (2010) points out that “junk food cannot be considered addictive in the same way that we think of psychoactive drugs as addictive” (p. 137).

Here, the writer names the source author when introducing the quote and provides the publication date in parentheses after the author’s name. The page number appears in parentheses after the closing quotation marks and before the period that ends the sentence.

Addiction researchers caution that “junk food cannot be considered addictive in the same way that we think of psychoactive drugs as addictive” (Epstein, 2010, p. 137).

Here, the writer provides a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence that includes the author’s name, the year of publication, and the page number separated by commas. Again, the parenthetical citation is placed after the closing quotation marks and before the period at the end of the sentence.

As noted in the book Junk Food, Junk Science (Epstein, 2010, p. 137), “junk food cannot be considered addictive in the same way that we think of psychoactive drugs as addictive.”

Here, the writer chose to mention the source title in the sentence (an optional piece of information to include) and followed the title with a parenthetical citation. Note that the parenthetical citation is placed before the comma that signals the end of the introductory phrase.

David Epstein’s book Junk Food, Junk Science (2010) pointed out that “junk food cannot be considered addictive in the same way that we think of psychoactive drugs as addictive” (p. 137).

Another variation is to introduce the author and the source title in your sentence and include the publication date and page number in parentheses within the sentence or at the end of the sentence. As long as you have included the essential information, you can choose the option that works best for that particular sentence and source.

Citing a book with a single author is usually a straightforward task. Of course, your research may require that you cite many other types of sources, such as books or articles with more than one author or sources with no individual author listed. You may also need to cite sources available in both print and online and nonprint sources, such as websites and personal interviews. Chapter 13 “APA and MLA Documentation and Formatting” , Section 13.2 “Citing and Referencing Techniques” and Section 13.3 “Creating a References Section” provide extensive guidelines for citing a variety of source types.

Writing at Work

APA is just one of several different styles with its own guidelines for documentation, formatting, and language usage. Depending on your field of interest, you may be exposed to additional styles, such as the following:

• MLA style. Determined by the Modern Languages Association and used for papers in literature, languages, and other disciplines in the humanities.
• Chicago style. Outlined in the Chicago Manual of Style and sometimes used for papers in the humanities and the sciences; many professional organizations use this style for publications as well.
• Associated Press (AP) style. Used by professional journalists.

References List

The brief citations included in the body of your paper correspond to the more detailed citations provided at the end of the paper in the references section. In-text citations provide basic information—the author’s name, the publication date, and the page number if necessary—while the references section provides more extensive bibliographical information. Again, this information allows your reader to follow up on the sources you cited and do additional reading about the topic if desired.

The specific format of entries in the list of references varies slightly for different source types, but the entries generally include the following information:

• The name(s) of the author(s) or institution that wrote the source
• The year of publication and, where applicable, the exact date of publication
• The full title of the source
• For books, the city of publication
• For articles or essays, the name of the periodical or book in which the article or essay appears
• For magazine and journal articles, the volume number, issue number, and pages where the article appears
• For sources on the web, the URL where the source is located

The references page is double spaced and lists entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If an entry continues for more than one line, the second line and each subsequent line are indented five spaces. Review the following example. ( Chapter 13 “APA and MLA Documentation and Formatting” , Section 13.3 “Creating a References Section” provides extensive guidelines for formatting reference entries for different types of sources.)

In APA style, book and article titles are formatted in sentence case, not title case. Sentence case means that only the first word is capitalized, along with any proper nouns.

Key Takeaways

• Following proper citation and formatting guidelines helps writers ensure that their work will be taken seriously, give proper credit to other authors for their work, and provide valuable information to readers.
• Working ahead and taking care to cite sources correctly the first time are ways writers can save time during the editing stage of writing a research paper.
• APA papers usually include an abstract that concisely summarizes the paper.
• APA papers use a specific headings structure to provide a clear hierarchy of information.
• In APA papers, in-text citations usually include the name(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication.
• In-text citations correspond to entries in the references section, which provide detailed bibliographical information about a source.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

What to title a research paper and why is it so important?

Check this simple 5-step tutorial that will provide you with some fascinating insights on how and what to title your research paper.

Researchers believe that the body of a research paper is the most terrifying thing they have to accomplish. While this is not entirely incorrect, it is also not accurate; choosing what to title a research paper might be even more difficult than conducting the research.

The title is without a doubt the element of a research paper that is read the most, and it is typically read first, you must put your heart and soul into finding the ideal title, one that will make your research stand out and become more attractive to the right audience.

The importance of titles in research paper

The title of your paper is often the first thing people see about your work. As a result, you must choose a title that catches people’s attention, correctly explains the contents of your paper, and entices them to read on. 

An active scientist browsing a list of new research papers is improbable to go beyond the title to get the entire text of most of those. The title represents the most important message of the research for the vast majority of readers. This is why titles must be brief, precise, and objective in their presentation of the results. When people opt to read the complete content of a paper, it is usually because the title piqued their attention.

Characteristics of an effective research title

Before getting into how and what to title a research paper , it is crucial to understand that certain criteria must be satisfied to inquire about an effective title. 

Making a good title for a paper entails ensuring that the research title accomplishes the following goals:

• It should foreshadow the research paper’s content. 
• The reader should find it captivating. 
• Be consistent with the tone of the writing. 
• Include vital keywords that will help it to be found during a keyword search.

Steps on how to choose a title

This Mind The Graph article has broken down the title writing process into 5 simple steps to make it as easy as possible.

Step 1 – Address the queries

Make certain that you address some crucial research paper queries in your title. What is the purpose of your paper and what does it achieve? Try responding to these questions as succinctly as possible.

• What is the main subject of my paper?
• What’s the method being applied?
• What or who was the focus of my research?
• What were my findings?

Step 2 – Select keywords

Select important keywords and sentences from the answers you got in the previous step. It is critical to identify the most relevant keywords or phrases about your subject of study that your target audience may effortlessly discover.

Step 3 – Create a sentence

Use the keywords you discovered to create a relevant sentence that says everything that you need to say about your research. This sentence is most likely to be too long and will need some refinement. 

Step 4 – Work your title

Based on the sentence you created, establish a working title for your research article. Remove any components that make it a whole sentence, but keep everything pertinent to the subject. Change some words around for appropriate syntax and rewrite them to make them shorter and more natural.

Step 5 – Remove the excess 

Remove unnecessary terms and phrases from the research title. The subject and objectives of the research are instantly apparent in this final state of the title. It is worth noting that the most significant words appear at the start and end of the title. To summarize, you should have a sentence of 10 to 15 words at this point. 

Mistakes to avoid while choosing a title

Now that you know how and what to title a research paper , it’s time to learn to avoid some common blunders.

• Avoid abbreviating words.
• Include no terms such as “research of,” “analysis of,” or anything else of the kind.
• An exclamation mark should not be used. A title, on the other hand, can take the form of a question.
• Avoid using broad titles. 
• In the title, no filler words should be utilized. Follow the five steps to eliminate as many superfluous words as possible.
• The title does not comply with the journal’s guidelines. If you want to publish your research, ensure your title meets all of the journal’s requirements.

Attract readers attention with effective graphical abstracts

Aside from the title, you can always include some eye-catching graphic elements to get the attention of your target audience. 

Research articles containing Graphical Abstracts have 15x times higher citations than those that haven’t as per CACTUS analysis for articles published in the American Academy of Neurology. Learn about the Mind The Graph tool to maximize the impact of your study on the scientific community.

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How to Write a Research Paper 

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Updated: May 17, 2024

Most students hate writing research papers. The process can often feel long, tedious, and sometimes outright boring. Nevertheless, these assignments are vital to a student’s academic journey. Want to learn how to write a research paper that captures the depth of the subject and maintains the reader’s interest? If so, this guide is for you.

Today, we’ll show you how to assemble a well-organized research paper to help you make the grade. You can transform any topic into a compelling research paper with a thoughtful approach to your research and a persuasive argument.

In this guide, we’ll provide seven simple but practical tips to help demystify the process and guide you on your way. We’ll also explain how AI tools can expedite the research and writing process so you can focus on critical thinking.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap for tackling these essays. You will also learn how to tackle them quickly and efficiently. With time and dedication, you’ll soon master the art of research paper writing.

Ready to get started?

What Is a Research Paper?

A research paper is a comprehensive essay that gives a detailed analysis, interpretation, or argument based on your own independent research. In higher-level academic settings, it goes beyond a simple summarization and includes a deep inquiry into the topic or topics.

The term “research paper” is a broad term that can be applied to many different forms of academic writing. The goal is to combine your thoughts with the findings from peer-reviewed scholarly literature.

By the time your essay is done, you should have provided your reader with a new perspective or challenged existing findings. This demonstrates your mastery of the subject and contributes to ongoing scholarly debates.

7 Tips for Writing a Research Paper

Often, getting started is the most challenging part of a research paper. While the process can seem daunting, breaking it down into manageable steps can make it easier to manage. The following are seven tips for getting your ideas out of your head and onto the page.

1. Understand Your Assignment

It may sound simple, but the first step in writing a successful research paper is to read the assignment. Sit down, take a few moments of your time, and go through the instructions so you fully understand your assignment.

Misinterpreting the assignment can not only lead to a significant waste of time but also affect your grade. No matter how patient your teacher or professor may be, ignoring basic instructions is often inexcusable.

If you read the instructions and are still confused, ask for clarification before you start writing. If that’s impossible, you can use tools like Smodin’s AI chat to help. Smodin can help highlight critical requirements that you may overlook.

This initial investment ensures that all your future efforts will be focused and efficient. Remember, thinking is just as important as actually writing the essay, and it can also pave the wave for a smoother writing process.

2. Gather Research Materials

Now comes the fun part: doing the research. As you gather research materials, always use credible sources, such as academic journals or peer-reviewed papers. Only use search engines that filter for accredited sources and academic databases so you can ensure your information is reliable.

To optimize your time, you must learn to master the art of skimming. If a source seems relevant and valuable, save it and review it later. The last thing you want to do is waste time on material that won’t make it into the final paper.

To speed up the process even more, consider using Smodin’s AI summarizer . This tool can help summarize large texts, highlighting key information relevant to your topic. By systematically gathering and filing research materials early in the writing process, you build a strong foundation for your thesis.

3. Write Your Thesis

Creating a solid thesis statement is the most important thing you can do to bring structure and focus to your research paper. Your thesis should express the main point of your argument in one or two simple sentences. Remember, when you create your thesis, you’re setting the tone and direction for the entire paper.

Of course, you can’t just pull a winning thesis out of thin air. Start by brainstorming potential thesis ideas based on your preliminary research. And don’t overthink things; sometimes, the most straightforward ideas are often the best.

You want a thesis that is specific enough to be manageable within the scope of your paper but broad enough to allow for a unique discussion. Your thesis should challenge existing expectations and provide the reader with fresh insight into the topic. Use your thesis to hook the reader in the opening paragraph and keep them engaged until the very last word.

4. Write Your Outline

An outline is an often overlooked but essential tool for organizing your thoughts and structuring your paper. Many students skip the outline because it feels like doing double work, but a strong outline will save you work in the long run.

Here’s how to effectively structure your outline.

• Introduction: List your thesis statement and outline the main questions your essay will answer.
• Literature Review: Outline the key literature you plan to discuss and explain how it will relate to your thesis.
• Methodology: Explain the research methods you will use to gather and analyze the information.
• Discussion: Plan how you will interpret the results and their implications for your thesis.
• Conclusion: Summarize the content above to elucidate your thesis fully.

To further streamline this process, consider using Smodin’s Research Writer. This tool offers a feature that allows you to generate and tweak an outline to your liking based on the initial input you provide. You can adjust this outline to fit your research findings better and ensure that your paper remains well-organized and focused.

5. Write a Rough Draft

Once your outline is in place, you can begin the writing process. Remember, when you write a rough draft, it isn’t meant to be perfect. Instead, use it as a working document where you can experiment with and rearrange your arguments and evidence.

Don’t worry too much about grammar, style, or syntax as you write your rough draft. Focus on getting your ideas down on paper and flush out your thesis arguments. You can always refine and rearrange the content the next time around.

Follow the basic structure of your outline but with the freedom to explore different ways of expressing your thoughts. Smodin’s Essay Writer offers a powerful solution for those struggling with starting or structuring their drafts.

After you approve the outline, Smodin can generate an essay based on your initial inputs. This feature can help you quickly create a comprehensive draft, which you can then review and refine. You can even use the power of AI to create multiple rough drafts from which to choose.

6. Add or Subtract Supporting Evidence

Once you have a rough draft, but before you start the final revision, it’s time to do a little cleanup. In this phase, you need to review all your supporting evidence. You want to ensure that there is nothing redundant and that you haven’t overlooked any crucial details.

Many students struggle to make the required word count for an essay and resort to padding their writing with redundant statements. Instead of adding unnecessary content, focus on expanding your analysis to provide deeper insights.

A good essay, regardless of the topic or format, needs to be streamlined. It should convey clear, convincing, relevant information supporting your thesis. If you find some information doesn’t do that, consider tweaking your sources.

Include a variety of sources, including studies, data, and quotes from scholars or other experts. Remember, you’re not just strengthening your argument but demonstrating the depth of your research.

If you want comprehensive feedback on your essay without going to a writing center or pestering your professor, use Smodin. The AI Chat can look at your draft and offer suggestions for improvement.

7. Revise, Cite, and Submit

The final stages of crafting a research paper involve revision, citation, and final review. You must ensure your paper is polished, professionally presented, and plagiarism-free. Of course, integrating Smodin’s AI tools can significantly streamline this process and enhance the quality of your final submission.

Start by using Smodin’s Rewriter tool. This AI-powered feature can help rephrase and refine your draft to improve overall readability. If a specific section of your essay just “doesn’t sound right,” the AI can suggest alternative sentence structures and word choices.

Proper citation is a must for all academic papers. Thankfully, thanks to Smodin’s Research Paper app, this once tedious process is easier than ever. The AI ensures all sources are accurately cited according to the required style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Plagiarism Checker:

All students need to realize that accidental plagiarism can happen. That’s why using a Plagiarism Checker to scan your essay before you submit it is always useful. Smodin’s Plagiarism Checker can highlight areas of concern so you can adjust accordingly.

Final Submission

After revising, rephrasing, and ensuring all citations are in order, use Smodin’s AI Content Detector to give your paper one last review. This tool can help you analyze your paper’s overall quality and readability so you can make any final tweaks or improvements.

Mastering Research Papers

Mastering the art of the research paper cannot be overstated, whether you’re in high school, college, or postgraduate studies. You can confidently prepare your research paper for submission by leveraging the AI tools listed above.

Research papers help refine your abilities to think critically and write persuasively. The skills you develop here will serve you well beyond the walls of the classroom. Communicating complex ideas clearly and effectively is one of the most powerful tools you can possess.

With the advancements of AI tools like Smodin , writing a research paper has become more accessible than ever before. These technologies streamline the process of organizing, writing, and revising your work. Write with confidence, knowing your best work is yet to come!

Cultural Relativity and Acceptance of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

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There is a debate about the ethical implications of using human embryos in stem cell research, which can be influenced by cultural, moral, and social values. This paper argues for an adaptable framework to accommodate diverse cultural and religious perspectives. By using an adaptive ethics model, research protections can reflect various populations and foster growth in stem cell research possibilities.

INTRODUCTION

Stem cell research combines biology, medicine, and technology, promising to alter health care and the understanding of human development. Yet, ethical contention exists because of individuals’ perceptions of using human embryos based on their various cultural, moral, and social values. While these disagreements concerning policy, use, and general acceptance have prompted the development of an international ethics policy, such a uniform approach can overlook the nuanced ethical landscapes between cultures. With diverse viewpoints in public health, a single global policy, especially one reflecting Western ethics or the ethics prevalent in high-income countries, is impractical. This paper argues for a culturally sensitive, adaptable framework for the use of embryonic stem cells. Stem cell policy should accommodate varying ethical viewpoints and promote an effective global dialogue. With an extension of an ethics model that can adapt to various cultures, we recommend localized guidelines that reflect the moral views of the people those guidelines serve.

Stem cells, characterized by their unique ability to differentiate into various cell types, enable the repair or replacement of damaged tissues. Two primary types of stem cells are somatic stem cells (adult stem cells) and embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells exist in developed tissues and maintain the body’s repair processes. [1] Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are remarkably pluripotent or versatile, making them valuable in research. [2] However, the use of ESCs has sparked ethics debates. Considering the potential of embryonic stem cells, research guidelines are essential. The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) provides international stem cell research guidelines. They call for “public conversations touching on the scientific significance as well as the societal and ethical issues raised by ESC research.” [3] The ISSCR also publishes updates about culturing human embryos 14 days post fertilization, suggesting local policies and regulations should continue to evolve as ESC research develops. [4]  Like the ISSCR, which calls for local law and policy to adapt to developing stem cell research given cultural acceptance, this paper highlights the importance of local social factors such as religion and culture.

I.     Global Cultural Perspective of Embryonic Stem Cells

Views on ESCs vary throughout the world. Some countries readily embrace stem cell research and therapies, while others have stricter regulations due to ethical concerns surrounding embryonic stem cells and when an embryo becomes entitled to moral consideration. The philosophical issue of when the “someone” begins to be a human after fertilization, in the morally relevant sense, [5] impacts when an embryo becomes not just worthy of protection but morally entitled to it. The process of creating embryonic stem cell lines involves the destruction of the embryos for research. [6] Consequently, global engagement in ESC research depends on social-cultural acceptability.

a.     US and Rights-Based Cultures

In the United States, attitudes toward stem cell therapies are diverse. The ethics and social approaches, which value individualism, [7] trigger debates regarding the destruction of human embryos, creating a complex regulatory environment. For example, the 1996 Dickey-Wicker Amendment prohibited federal funding for the creation of embryos for research and the destruction of embryos for “more than allowed for research on fetuses in utero.” [8] Following suit, in 2001, the Bush Administration heavily restricted stem cell lines for research. However, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 was proposed to help develop ESC research but was ultimately vetoed. [9] Under the Obama administration, in 2009, an executive order lifted restrictions allowing for more development in this field. [10] The flux of research capacity and funding parallels the different cultural perceptions of human dignity of the embryo and how it is socially presented within the country’s research culture. [11]

b.     Ubuntu and Collective Cultures

African bioethics differs from Western individualism because of the different traditions and values. African traditions, as described by individuals from South Africa and supported by some studies in other African countries, including Ghana and Kenya, follow the African moral philosophies of Ubuntu or Botho and Ukama , which “advocates for a form of wholeness that comes through one’s relationship and connectedness with other people in the society,” [12] making autonomy a socially collective concept. In this context, for the community to act autonomously, individuals would come together to decide what is best for the collective. Thus, stem cell research would require examining the value of the research to society as a whole and the use of the embryos as a collective societal resource. If society views the source as part of the collective whole, and opposes using stem cells, compromising the cultural values to pursue research may cause social detachment and stunt research growth. [13] Based on local culture and moral philosophy, the permissibility of stem cell research depends on how embryo, stem cell, and cell line therapies relate to the community as a whole . Ubuntu is the expression of humanness, with the person’s identity drawn from the “’I am because we are’” value. [14] The decision in a collectivistic culture becomes one born of cultural context, and individual decisions give deference to others in the society.

Consent differs in cultures where thought and moral philosophy are based on a collective paradigm. So, applying Western bioethical concepts is unrealistic. For one, Africa is a diverse continent with many countries with different belief systems, access to health care, and reliance on traditional or Western medicines. Where traditional medicine is the primary treatment, the “’restrictive focus on biomedically-related bioethics’” [is] problematic in African contexts because it neglects bioethical issues raised by traditional systems.” [15] No single approach applies in all areas or contexts. Rather than evaluating the permissibility of ESC research according to Western concepts such as the four principles approach, different ethics approaches should prevail.

Another consideration is the socio-economic standing of countries. In parts of South Africa, researchers have not focused heavily on contributing to the stem cell discourse, either because it is not considered health care or a health science priority or because resources are unavailable. [16] Each country’s priorities differ given different social, political, and economic factors. In South Africa, for instance, areas such as maternal mortality, non-communicable diseases, telemedicine, and the strength of health systems need improvement and require more focus. [17] Stem cell research could benefit the population, but it also could divert resources from basic medical care. Researchers in South Africa adhere to the National Health Act and Medicines Control Act in South Africa and international guidelines; however, the Act is not strictly enforced, and there is no clear legislation for research conduct or ethical guidelines. [18]

Some parts of Africa condemn stem cell research. For example, 98.2 percent of the Tunisian population is Muslim. [19] Tunisia does not permit stem cell research because of moral conflict with a Fatwa. Religion heavily saturates the regulation and direction of research. [20] Stem cell use became permissible for reproductive purposes only recently, with tight restrictions preventing cells from being used in any research other than procedures concerning ART/IVF.  Their use is conditioned on consent, and available only to married couples. [21] The community's receptiveness to stem cell research depends on including communitarian African ethics.

c.     Asia

Some Asian countries also have a collective model of ethics and decision making. [22] In China, the ethics model promotes a sincere respect for life or human dignity, [23] based on protective medicine. This model, influenced by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), [24] recognizes Qi as the vital energy delivered via the meridians of the body; it connects illness to body systems, the body’s entire constitution, and the universe for a holistic bond of nature, health, and quality of life. [25] Following a protective ethics model, and traditional customs of wholeness, investment in stem cell research is heavily desired for its applications in regenerative therapies, disease modeling, and protective medicines. In a survey of medical students and healthcare practitioners, 30.8 percent considered stem cell research morally unacceptable while 63.5 percent accepted medical research using human embryonic stem cells. Of these individuals, 89.9 percent supported increased funding for stem cell research. [26] The scientific community might not reflect the overall population. From 1997 to 2019, China spent a total of $576 million (USD) on stem cell research at 8,050 stem cell programs, increased published presence from 0.6 percent to 14.01 percent of total global stem cell publications as of 2014, and made significant strides in cell-based therapies for various medical conditions. [27] However, while China has made substantial investments in stem cell research and achieved notable progress in clinical applications, concerns linger regarding ethical oversight and transparency. [28] For example, the China Biosecurity Law, promoted by the National Health Commission and China Hospital Association, attempted to mitigate risks by introducing an institutional review board (IRB) in the regulatory bodies. 5800 IRBs registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry since 2021. [29] However, issues still need to be addressed in implementing effective IRB review and approval procedures.

The substantial government funding and focus on scientific advancement have sometimes overshadowed considerations of regional cultures, ethnic minorities, and individual perspectives, particularly evident during the one-child policy era. As government policy adapts to promote public stability, such as the change from the one-child to the two-child policy, [30] research ethics should also adapt to ensure respect for the values of its represented peoples.

Japan is also relatively supportive of stem cell research and therapies. Japan has a more transparent regulatory framework, allowing for faster approval of regenerative medicine products, which has led to several advanced clinical trials and therapies. [31] South Korea is also actively engaged in stem cell research and has a history of breakthroughs in cloning and embryonic stem cells. [32] However, the field is controversial, and there are issues of scientific integrity. For example, the Korean FDA fast-tracked products for approval, [33] and in another instance, the oocyte source was unclear and possibly violated ethical standards. [34] Trust is important in research, as it builds collaborative foundations between colleagues, trial participant comfort, open-mindedness for complicated and sensitive discussions, and supports regulatory procedures for stakeholders. There is a need to respect the culture’s interest, engagement, and for research and clinical trials to be transparent and have ethical oversight to promote global research discourse and trust.

d.     Middle East

Countries in the Middle East have varying degrees of acceptance of or restrictions to policies related to using embryonic stem cells due to cultural and religious influences. Saudi Arabia has made significant contributions to stem cell research, and conducts research based on international guidelines for ethical conduct and under strict adherence to guidelines in accordance with Islamic principles. Specifically, the Saudi government and people require ESC research to adhere to Sharia law. In addition to umbilical and placental stem cells, [35] Saudi Arabia permits the use of embryonic stem cells as long as they come from miscarriages, therapeutic abortions permissible by Sharia law, or are left over from in vitro fertilization and donated to research. [36] Laws and ethical guidelines for stem cell research allow the development of research institutions such as the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, which has a cord blood bank and a stem cell registry with nearly 10,000 donors. [37] Such volume and acceptance are due to the ethical ‘permissibility’ of the donor sources, which do not conflict with religious pillars. However, some researchers err on the side of caution, choosing not to use embryos or fetal tissue as they feel it is unethical to do so. [38]

Jordan has a positive research ethics culture. [39] However, there is a significant issue of lack of trust in researchers, with 45.23 percent (38.66 percent agreeing and 6.57 percent strongly agreeing) of Jordanians holding a low level of trust in researchers, compared to 81.34 percent of Jordanians agreeing that they feel safe to participate in a research trial. [40] Safety testifies to the feeling of confidence that adequate measures are in place to protect participants from harm, whereas trust in researchers could represent the confidence in researchers to act in the participants’ best interests, adhere to ethical guidelines, provide accurate information, and respect participants’ rights and dignity. One method to improve trust would be to address communication issues relevant to ESC. Legislation surrounding stem cell research has adopted specific language, especially concerning clarification “between ‘stem cells’ and ‘embryonic stem cells’” in translation. [41] Furthermore, legislation “mandates the creation of a national committee… laying out specific regulations for stem-cell banking in accordance with international standards.” [42] This broad regulation opens the door for future global engagement and maintains transparency. However, these regulations may also constrain the influence of research direction, pace, and accessibility of research outcomes.

e.     Europe

In the European Union (EU), ethics is also principle-based, but the principles of autonomy, dignity, integrity, and vulnerability are interconnected. [43] As such, the opportunity for cohesion and concessions between individuals’ thoughts and ideals allows for a more adaptable ethics model due to the flexible principles that relate to the human experience The EU has put forth a framework in its Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being allowing member states to take different approaches. Each European state applies these principles to its specific conventions, leading to or reflecting different acceptance levels of stem cell research. [44]

For example, in Germany, Lebenzusammenhang , or the coherence of life, references integrity in the unity of human culture. Namely, the personal sphere “should not be subject to external intervention.” [45]  Stem cell interventions could affect this concept of bodily completeness, leading to heavy restrictions. Under the Grundgesetz, human dignity and the right to life with physical integrity are paramount. [46] The Embryo Protection Act of 1991 made producing cell lines illegal. Cell lines can be imported if approved by the Central Ethics Commission for Stem Cell Research only if they were derived before May 2007. [47] Stem cell research respects the integrity of life for the embryo with heavy specifications and intense oversight. This is vastly different in Finland, where the regulatory bodies find research more permissible in IVF excess, but only up to 14 days after fertilization. [48] Spain’s approach differs still, with a comprehensive regulatory framework. [49] Thus, research regulation can be culture-specific due to variations in applied principles. Diverse cultures call for various approaches to ethical permissibility. [50] Only an adaptive-deliberative model can address the cultural constructions of self and achieve positive, culturally sensitive stem cell research practices. [51]

II.     Religious Perspectives on ESC

Embryonic stem cell sources are the main consideration within religious contexts. While individuals may not regard their own religious texts as authoritative or factual, religion can shape their foundations or perspectives.

The Qur'an states:

“And indeed We created man from a quintessence of clay. Then We placed within him a small quantity of nutfa (sperm to fertilize) in a safe place. Then We have fashioned the nutfa into an ‘alaqa (clinging clot or cell cluster), then We developed the ‘alaqa into mudgha (a lump of flesh), and We made mudgha into bones, and clothed the bones with flesh, then We brought it into being as a new creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.” [52]

Many scholars of Islam estimate the time of soul installment, marked by the angel breathing in the soul to bring the individual into creation, as 120 days from conception. [53] Personhood begins at this point, and the value of life would prohibit research or experimentation that could harm the individual. If the fetus is more than 120 days old, the time ensoulment is interpreted to occur according to Islamic law, abortion is no longer permissible. [54] There are a few opposing opinions about early embryos in Islamic traditions. According to some Islamic theologians, there is no ensoulment of the early embryo, which is the source of stem cells for ESC research. [55]

In Buddhism, the stance on stem cell research is not settled. The main tenets, the prohibition against harming or destroying others (ahimsa) and the pursuit of knowledge (prajña) and compassion (karuna), leave Buddhist scholars and communities divided. [56] Some scholars argue stem cell research is in accordance with the Buddhist tenet of seeking knowledge and ending human suffering. Others feel it violates the principle of not harming others. Finding the balance between these two points relies on the karmic burden of Buddhist morality. In trying to prevent ahimsa towards the embryo, Buddhist scholars suggest that to comply with Buddhist tenets, research cannot be done as the embryo has personhood at the moment of conception and would reincarnate immediately, harming the individual's ability to build their karmic burden. [57] On the other hand, the Bodhisattvas, those considered to be on the path to enlightenment or Nirvana, have given organs and flesh to others to help alleviate grieving and to benefit all. [58] Acceptance varies on applied beliefs and interpretations.

Catholicism does not support embryonic stem cell research, as it entails creation or destruction of human embryos. This destruction conflicts with the belief in the sanctity of life. For example, in the Old Testament, Genesis describes humanity as being created in God’s image and multiplying on the Earth, referencing the sacred rights to human conception and the purpose of development and life. In the Ten Commandments, the tenet that one should not kill has numerous interpretations where killing could mean murder or shedding of the sanctity of life, demonstrating the high value of human personhood. In other books, the theological conception of when life begins is interpreted as in utero, [59] highlighting the inviolability of life and its formation in vivo to make a religious point for accepting such research as relatively limited, if at all. [60] The Vatican has released ethical directives to help apply a theological basis to modern-day conflicts. The Magisterium of the Church states that “unless there is a moral certainty of not causing harm,” experimentation on fetuses, fertilized cells, stem cells, or embryos constitutes a crime. [61] Such procedures would not respect the human person who exists at these stages, according to Catholicism. Damages to the embryo are considered gravely immoral and illicit. [62] Although the Catholic Church officially opposes abortion, surveys demonstrate that many Catholic people hold pro-choice views, whether due to the context of conception, stage of pregnancy, threat to the mother’s life, or for other reasons, demonstrating that practicing members can also accept some but not all tenets. [63]

Some major Jewish denominations, such as the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements, are open to supporting ESC use or research as long as it is for saving a life. [64] Within Judaism, the Talmud, or study, gives personhood to the child at birth and emphasizes that life does not begin at conception: [65]

“If she is found pregnant, until the fortieth day it is mere fluid,” [66]

Whereas most religions prioritize the status of human embryos, the Halakah (Jewish religious law) states that to save one life, most other religious laws can be ignored because it is in pursuit of preservation. [67] Stem cell research is accepted due to application of these religious laws.

We recognize that all religions contain subsets and sects. The variety of environmental and cultural differences within religious groups requires further analysis to respect the flexibility of religious thoughts and practices. We make no presumptions that all cultures require notions of autonomy or morality as under the common morality theory , which asserts a set of universal moral norms that all individuals share provides moral reasoning and guides ethical decisions. [68] We only wish to show that the interaction with morality varies between cultures and countries.

III.     A Flexible Ethical Approach

The plurality of different moral approaches described above demonstrates that there can be no universally acceptable uniform law for ESC on a global scale. Instead of developing one standard, flexible ethical applications must be continued. We recommend local guidelines that incorporate important cultural and ethical priorities.

While the Declaration of Helsinki is more relevant to people in clinical trials receiving ESC products, in keeping with the tradition of protections for research subjects, consent of the donor is an ethical requirement for ESC donation in many jurisdictions including the US, Canada, and Europe. [69] The Declaration of Helsinki provides a reference point for regulatory standards and could potentially be used as a universal baseline for obtaining consent prior to gamete or embryo donation.

For instance, in Columbia University’s egg donor program for stem cell research, donors followed standard screening protocols and “underwent counseling sessions that included information as to the purpose of oocyte donation for research, what the oocytes would be used for, the risks and benefits of donation, and process of oocyte stimulation” to ensure transparency for consent. [70] The program helped advance stem cell research and provided clear and safe research methods with paid participants. Though paid participation or covering costs of incidental expenses may not be socially acceptable in every culture or context, [71] and creating embryos for ESC research is illegal in many jurisdictions, Columbia’s program was effective because of the clear and honest communications with donors, IRBs, and related stakeholders.  This example demonstrates that cultural acceptance of scientific research and of the idea that an egg or embryo does not have personhood is likely behind societal acceptance of donating eggs for ESC research. As noted, many countries do not permit the creation of embryos for research.

Proper communication and education regarding the process and purpose of stem cell research may bolster comprehension and garner more acceptance. “Given the sensitive subject material, a complete consent process can support voluntary participation through trust, understanding, and ethical norms from the cultures and morals participants value. This can be hard for researchers entering countries of different socioeconomic stability, with different languages and different societal values. [72]

An adequate moral foundation in medical ethics is derived from the cultural and religious basis that informs knowledge and actions. [73] Understanding local cultural and religious values and their impact on research could help researchers develop humility and promote inclusion.

IV.     Concerns

Some may argue that if researchers all adhere to one ethics standard, protection will be satisfied across all borders, and the global public will trust researchers. However, defining what needs to be protected and how to define such research standards is very specific to the people to which standards are applied. We suggest that applying one uniform guide cannot accurately protect each individual because we all possess our own perceptions and interpretations of social values. [74] Therefore, the issue of not adjusting to the moral pluralism between peoples in applying one standard of ethics can be resolved by building out ethics models that can be adapted to different cultures and religions.

Other concerns include medical tourism, which may promote health inequities. [75] Some countries may develop and approve products derived from ESC research before others, compromising research ethics or drug approval processes. There are also concerns about the sale of unauthorized stem cell treatments, for example, those without FDA approval in the United States. Countries with robust research infrastructures may be tempted to attract medical tourists, and some customers will have false hopes based on aggressive publicity of unproven treatments. [76]

For example, in China, stem cell clinics can market to foreign clients who are not protected under the regulatory regimes. Companies employ a marketing strategy of “ethically friendly” therapies. Specifically, in the case of Beike, China’s leading stem cell tourism company and sprouting network, ethical oversight of administrators or health bureaus at one site has “the unintended consequence of shifting questionable activities to another node in Beike's diffuse network.” [77] In contrast, Jordan is aware of stem cell research’s potential abuse and its own status as a “health-care hub.” Jordan’s expanded regulations include preserving the interests of individuals in clinical trials and banning private companies from ESC research to preserve transparency and the integrity of research practices. [78]

The social priorities of the community are also a concern. The ISSCR explicitly states that guidelines “should be periodically revised to accommodate scientific advances, new challenges, and evolving social priorities.” [79] The adaptable ethics model extends this consideration further by addressing whether research is warranted given the varying degrees of socioeconomic conditions, political stability, and healthcare accessibilities and limitations. An ethical approach would require discussion about resource allocation and appropriate distribution of funds. [80]

While some religions emphasize the sanctity of life from conception, which may lead to public opposition to ESC research, others encourage ESC research due to its potential for healing and alleviating human pain. Many countries have special regulations that balance local views on embryonic personhood, the benefits of research as individual or societal goods, and the protection of human research subjects. To foster understanding and constructive dialogue, global policy frameworks should prioritize the protection of universal human rights, transparency, and informed consent. In addition to these foundational global policies, we recommend tailoring local guidelines to reflect the diverse cultural and religious perspectives of the populations they govern. Ethics models should be adapted to local populations to effectively establish research protections, growth, and possibilities of stem cell research.

For example, in countries with strong beliefs in the moral sanctity of embryos or heavy religious restrictions, an adaptive model can allow for discussion instead of immediate rejection. In countries with limited individual rights and voice in science policy, an adaptive model ensures cultural, moral, and religious views are taken into consideration, thereby building social inclusion. While this ethical consideration by the government may not give a complete voice to every individual, it will help balance policies and maintain the diverse perspectives of those it affects. Embracing an adaptive ethics model of ESC research promotes open-minded dialogue and respect for the importance of human belief and tradition. By actively engaging with cultural and religious values, researchers can better handle disagreements and promote ethical research practices that benefit each society.

This brief exploration of the religious and cultural differences that impact ESC research reveals the nuances of relative ethics and highlights a need for local policymakers to apply a more intense adaptive model.

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Culturally, autonomy practices follow a relational autonomy approach based on a paternalistic deontological health care model. The adherence to strict international research policies and religious pillars within the regulatory environment is a great foundation for research ethics. However, there is a need to develop locally targeted ethics approaches for research (as called for in Alahmad, G., Aljohani, S., & Najjar, M. F. (2020). Ethical challenges regarding the use of stem cells: interviews with researchers from Saudi Arabia. BMC medical ethics, 21(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-020-00482-6), this decision-making approach may help advise a research decision model. For more on the clinical cultural autonomy approaches, see: Alabdullah, Y. Y., Alzaid, E., Alsaad, S., Alamri, T., Alolayan, S. W., Bah, S., & Aljoudi, A. S. (2022). Autonomy and paternalism in Shared decision‐making in a Saudi Arabian tertiary hospital: A cross‐sectional study. Developing World Bioethics , 23 (3), 260–268. https://doi.org/10.1111/dewb.12355 ; Bukhari, A. A. (2017). Universal Principles of Bioethics and Patient Rights in Saudi Arabia (Doctoral dissertation, Duquesne University). https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/124; Ladha, S., Nakshawani, S. A., Alzaidy, A., & Tarab, B. (2023, October 26). Islam and Bioethics: What We All Need to Know . Columbia University School of Professional Studies. https://sps.columbia.edu/events/islam-and-bioethics-what-we-all-need-know

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[43] The EU’s definition of autonomy relates to the capacity for creating ideas, moral insight, decisions, and actions without constraint, personal responsibility, and informed consent. However, the EU views autonomy as not completely able to protect individuals and depends on other principles, such as dignity, which “expresses the intrinsic worth and fundamental equality of all human beings.” Rendtorff, J.D., Kemp, P. (2019). Four Ethical Principles in European Bioethics and Biolaw: Autonomy, Dignity, Integrity and Vulnerability. In: Valdés, E., Lecaros, J. (eds) Biolaw and Policy in the Twenty-First Century. International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine, vol 78. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05903-3_3

[44] Council of Europe. Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (ETS No. 164) https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=164 (forbidding the creation of embryos for research purposes only, and suggests embryos in vitro have protections.); Also see Drabiak-Syed B. K. (2013). New President, New Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Policy: Comparative International Perspectives and Embryonic Stem Cell Research Laws in France.  Biotechnology Law Report ,  32 (6), 349–356. https://doi.org/10.1089/blr.2013.9865

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[48] Regulation of Stem Cell Research in Finland . Eurostemcell. (2017, April 26). https://www.eurostemcell.org/regulation-stem-cell-research-finland

[49] Regulation of Stem Cell Research in Spain . Eurostemcell. (2017, April 26). https://www.eurostemcell.org/regulation-stem-cell-research-spain

[50] Some sources to consider regarding ethics models or regulatory oversights of other cultures not covered:

Kara MA. Applicability of the principle of respect for autonomy: the perspective of Turkey. J Med Ethics. 2007 Nov;33(11):627-30. doi: 10.1136/jme.2006.017400. PMID: 17971462; PMCID: PMC2598110.

Ugarte, O. N., & Acioly, M. A. (2014). The principle of autonomy in Brazil: one needs to discuss it ...  Revista do Colegio Brasileiro de Cirurgioes ,  41 (5), 374–377. https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-69912014005013

Bharadwaj, A., & Glasner, P. E. (2012). Local cells, global science: The rise of embryonic stem cell research in India . Routledge.

For further research on specific European countries regarding ethical and regulatory framework, we recommend this database: Regulation of Stem Cell Research in Europe . Eurostemcell. (2017, April 26). https://www.eurostemcell.org/regulation-stem-cell-research-europe   

[51] Klitzman, R. (2006). Complications of culture in obtaining informed consent. The American Journal of Bioethics, 6(1), 20–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265160500394671 see also: Ekmekci, P. E., & Arda, B. (2017). Interculturalism and Informed Consent: Respecting Cultural Differences without Breaching Human Rights.  Cultura (Iasi, Romania) ,  14 (2), 159–172.; For why trust is important in research, see also: Gray, B., Hilder, J., Macdonald, L., Tester, R., Dowell, A., & Stubbe, M. (2017). Are research ethics guidelines culturally competent?  Research Ethics ,  13 (1), 23-41.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1747016116650235

[52] The Qur'an  (M. Khattab, Trans.). (1965). Al-Mu’minun, 23: 12-14. https://quran.com/23

[53] Lenfest, Y. (2017, December 8). Islam and the beginning of human life . Bill of Health. https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2017/12/08/islam-and-the-beginning-of-human-life/

[54] Aksoy, S. (2005). Making regulations and drawing up legislation in Islamic countries under conditions of uncertainty, with special reference to embryonic stem cell research. Journal of Medical Ethics , 31: 399-403.; see also: Mahmoud, Azza. "Islamic Bioethics: National Regulations and Guidelines of Human Stem Cell Research in the Muslim World." Master's thesis, Chapman University, 2022. https://doi.org/10.36837/ chapman.000386

[55] Rashid, R. (2022). When does Ensoulment occur in the Human Foetus. Journal of the British Islamic Medical Association , 12 (4). ISSN 2634 8071. https://www.jbima.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2-Ethics-3_-Ensoulment_Rafaqat.pdf.

[56] Sivaraman, M. & Noor, S. (2017). Ethics of embryonic stem cell research according to Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic, and Islamic religions: perspective from Malaysia. Asian Biomedicine,8(1) 43-52.  https://doi.org/10.5372/1905-7415.0801.260

[57] Jafari, M., Elahi, F., Ozyurt, S. & Wrigley, T. (2007). 4. Religious Perspectives on Embryonic Stem Cell Research. In K. Monroe, R. Miller & J. Tobis (Ed.),  Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate: The Scientific, Religious, Ethical, and Political Issues  (pp. 79-94). Berkeley: University of California Press.  https://escholarship.org/content/qt9rj0k7s3/qt9rj0k7s3_noSplash_f9aca2e02c3777c7fb76ea768ba458f0.pdf https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520940994-005

[58] Lecso, P. A. (1991). The Bodhisattva Ideal and Organ Transplantation.  Journal of Religion and Health ,  30 (1), 35–41. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27510629 ; Bodhisattva, S. (n.d.). The Key of Becoming a Bodhisattva . A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life. http://www.buddhism.org/Sutras/2/BodhisattvaWay.htm

[59] There is no explicit religious reference to when life begins or how to conduct research that interacts with the concept of life. However, these are relevant verses pertaining to how the fetus is viewed. (( King James Bible . (1999). Oxford University Press. (original work published 1769))

Jerimiah 1: 5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…”

In prophet Jerimiah’s insight, God set him apart as a person known before childbirth, a theme carried within the Psalm of David.

Psalm 139: 13-14 “…Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

These verses demonstrate David’s respect for God as an entity that would know of all man’s thoughts and doings even before birth.

[60] It should be noted that abortion is not supported as well.

[61] The Vatican. (1987, February 22). Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation Replies to Certain Questions of the Day . Congregation For the Doctrine of the Faith. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19870222_respect-for-human-life_en.html

[62] The Vatican. (2000, August 25). Declaration On the Production and the Scientific and Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells . Pontifical Academy for Life. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_academies/acdlife/documents/rc_pa_acdlife_doc_20000824_cellule-staminali_en.html ; Ohara, N. (2003). Ethical Consideration of Experimentation Using Living Human Embryos: The Catholic Church’s Position on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology . Retrieved from https://article.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/30/2-3/pii/2003018/77-81.pdf.

[63] Smith, G. A. (2022, May 23). Like Americans overall, Catholics vary in their abortion views, with regular mass attenders most opposed . Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/05/23/like-americans-overall-catholics-vary-in-their-abortion-views-with-regular-mass-attenders-most-opposed/

[64] Rosner, F., & Reichman, E. (2002). Embryonic stem cell research in Jewish law. Journal of halacha and contemporary society , (43), 49–68.; Jafari, M., Elahi, F., Ozyurt, S. & Wrigley, T. (2007). 4. Religious Perspectives on Embryonic Stem Cell Research. In K. Monroe, R. Miller & J. Tobis (Ed.),  Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate: The Scientific, Religious, Ethical, and Political Issues  (pp. 79-94). Berkeley: University of California Press.  https://escholarship.org/content/qt9rj0k7s3/qt9rj0k7s3_noSplash_f9aca2e02c3777c7fb76ea768ba458f0.pdf https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520940994-005

[65] Schenker J. G. (2008). The beginning of human life: status of embryo. Perspectives in Halakha (Jewish Religious Law).  Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics ,  25 (6), 271–276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9221-6

[66] Ruttenberg, D. (2020, May 5). The Torah of Abortion Justice (annotated source sheet) . Sefaria. https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/234926.7?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

[67] Jafari, M., Elahi, F., Ozyurt, S. & Wrigley, T. (2007). 4. Religious Perspectives on Embryonic Stem Cell Research. In K. Monroe, R. Miller & J. Tobis (Ed.),  Fundamentals of the Stem Cell Debate: The Scientific, Religious, Ethical, and Political Issues  (pp. 79-94). Berkeley: University of California Press.  https://escholarship.org/content/qt9rj0k7s3/qt9rj0k7s3_noSplash_f9aca2e02c3777c7fb76ea768ba458f0.pdf https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520940994-005

[68] Gert, B. (2007). Common morality: Deciding what to do . Oxford Univ. Press.

[69] World Medical Association (2013). World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA , 310(20), 2191–2194. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.281053 Declaration of Helsinki – WMA – The World Medical Association .; see also: National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979).  The Belmont report: Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/read-the-belmont-report/index.html

[70] Zakarin Safier, L., Gumer, A., Kline, M., Egli, D., & Sauer, M. V. (2018). Compensating human subjects providing oocytes for stem cell research: 9-year experience and outcomes.  Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics ,  35 (7), 1219–1225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1171-z https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6063839/ see also: Riordan, N. H., & Paz Rodríguez, J. (2021). Addressing concerns regarding associated costs, transparency, and integrity of research in recent stem cell trial. Stem Cells Translational Medicine , 10 (12), 1715–1716. https://doi.org/10.1002/sctm.21-0234

[71] Klitzman, R., & Sauer, M. V. (2009). Payment of egg donors in stem cell research in the USA.  Reproductive biomedicine online ,  18 (5), 603–608. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60002-8

[72] Krosin, M. T., Klitzman, R., Levin, B., Cheng, J., & Ranney, M. L. (2006). Problems in comprehension of informed consent in rural and peri-urban Mali, West Africa.  Clinical trials (London, England) ,  3 (3), 306–313. https://doi.org/10.1191/1740774506cn150oa

[73] Veatch, Robert M.  Hippocratic, Religious, and Secular Medical Ethics: The Points of Conflict . Georgetown University Press, 2012.

[74] Msoroka, M. S., & Amundsen, D. (2018). One size fits not quite all: Universal research ethics with diversity.  Research Ethics ,  14 (3), 1-17.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1747016117739939

[75] Pirzada, N. (2022). The Expansion of Turkey’s Medical Tourism Industry.  Voices in Bioethics ,  8 . https://doi.org/10.52214/vib.v8i.9894

[76] Stem Cell Tourism: False Hope for Real Money . Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI). (2023). https://hsci.harvard.edu/stem-cell-tourism , See also: Bissassar, M. (2017). Transnational Stem Cell Tourism: An ethical analysis.  Voices in Bioethics ,  3 . https://doi.org/10.7916/vib.v3i.6027

[77] Song, P. (2011) The proliferation of stem cell therapies in post-Mao China: problematizing ethical regulation,  New Genetics and Society , 30:2, 141-153, DOI:  10.1080/14636778.2011.574375

[78] Dajani, R. (2014). Jordan’s stem-cell law can guide the Middle East.  Nature  510, 189. https://doi.org/10.1038/510189a

[79] International Society for Stem Cell Research. (2024). Standards in stem cell research . International Society for Stem Cell Research. https://www.isscr.org/guidelines/5-standards-in-stem-cell-research

[80] Benjamin, R. (2013). People’s science bodies and rights on the Stem Cell Frontier . Stanford University Press.

Mifrah Hayath

SM Candidate Harvard Medical School, MS Biotechnology Johns Hopkins University

Olivia Bowers

MS Bioethics Columbia University (Disclosure: affiliated with Voices in Bioethics)

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Title: rlhf workflow: from reward modeling to online rlhf.

Abstract: We present the workflow of Online Iterative Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) in this technical report, which is widely reported to outperform its offline counterpart by a large margin in the recent large language model (LLM) literature. However, existing open-source RLHF projects are still largely confined to the offline learning setting. In this technical report, we aim to fill in this gap and provide a detailed recipe that is easy to reproduce for online iterative RLHF. In particular, since online human feedback is usually infeasible for open-source communities with limited resources, we start by constructing preference models using a diverse set of open-source datasets and use the constructed proxy preference model to approximate human feedback. Then, we discuss the theoretical insights and algorithmic principles behind online iterative RLHF, followed by a detailed practical implementation. Our trained LLM, SFR-Iterative-DPO-LLaMA-3-8B-R, achieves impressive performance on LLM chatbot benchmarks, including AlpacaEval-2, Arena-Hard, and MT-Bench, as well as other academic benchmarks such as HumanEval and TruthfulQA. We have shown that supervised fine-tuning (SFT) and iterative RLHF can obtain state-of-the-art performance with fully open-source datasets. Further, we have made our models, curated datasets, and comprehensive step-by-step code guidebooks publicly available. Please refer to this https URL and this https URL for more detailed information.

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Regeneron ISEF 2024 Society for Science Special Awards Winners Announced

May 16th, 2024, Los Angeles, CA — Society for Science announced Special Awards of Regeneron ISEF 2024. Student winners are ninth through twelfth graders who earned the right to compete at Regeneron ISEF 2024 by winning a top prize at a local, regional, state or national science fair.

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First Award of $750 in each Regeneron ISEF Category,

ANIM016 — The Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Planaria Tissue Regeneration

• Ashu Anand, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States of America

BCHM029 — Integrative Assessment of the Novel Radioprotective Efficacy of Cardamonin: A Comprehensive in vitro and in silico Analysis

• Siddharth Sridharan, Little Rock Central High School, Little Rock, AR, United States of America

BEHA005 — Mathematical Analysis of Preparatory Neural Activity to Predict Physical Behavior in Motor Sequences

• Ria Garg, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Frisco, TX, United States of America

BMED055 — Validation of Ventilation and Perfusion Using Non-Contrast Computerized Tomography

• Alexandra Elizabeth Tombleson, Mamaroneck High School, Larchmont, NY, United States of America

CBIO036 — A Lens Into Vision: Modeling the Stimuli-Driven Differential Responses of Lobula Columnar Cells in Drosophila

• Erin Wong, William A. Shine Great Neck South High School, Great Neck, NY, United States of America

CELL020 — Investigating the Impact of Parasitic Worm-Induced Secretions on Anaphylaxis

• Ethan Ririe, Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, VA, United States of America

CHEM015T — Natural Eutectogels as a Novel Material for Green Wearable Electronics

• Claire Qingying Huang, Fairview High School, Boulder, CO, United States of America
• Sophia Zhang, Fairview High School, Boulder, CO, United States of America

EAEV021 — National Ground-Level NO2 Predictions via Satellite Imagery Driven Hybrid Neural Networks

• Elton Cao, Fairview High School, Broomfield, CO, United States of America

EBED024 — Development of a Multi-Sensor System to Prevent Child Vehicular Heatstroke

• Clara Kerr, The Athenian School, Danville, CA, United States of America

EGSD031 — Harvesting Energy at Your Fingertips: Harnessing Mechanical Energy from Typing for Sustainable Power Generation

• Sienna Marie Giuseppi , Pelham Memorial High School, Pelham, NY, United States of America

ENBM050 — Like Trying To Find a Needle in a Blood Sac: Novel Hemostatic Gelatin Microneedle Adhesive (Gel MNA) Polymerized With Commercial Coagulation Agents Achieves Accessible Hemorrhage Treatment

• Fernanda Arreola-Lucio, Minnetonka High School, Excelsior, MN, United States of America

ENEV052T — Robee: A Novel Autonomous Pollinator

• Danial Jawad Syed, Hayfield Secondary School, Lorton, VA, United States of America
• Isabel Victoria Aysa-Lastra, Hayfield Secondary School, Alexandria, VA, United States of America

ETSD009 — Novel Approach to Calculation of Bike Route Distance Using Concept of Fractal Dimension

• Mikhail Dmitrievich Abraimov, Lawton Chiles High School, Tallahassee, FL, United States of America

MATH032 — The Classification and the Hilbert Polynomials of the Coloring of Quandles With Size 6

• Aaron Kim, Bronx High School of Science, Flushing, NY, United States of America

MATS024 — When the Paint’s On, the Heat’s Gone

• Sophie Shi, Middleton High School, Madison, WI, United States of America

MCRO006 — Year 2: A Novel Biodegradable Sorbent for Oil Spills

• Mahie Mangesh Patil, Orlando Science Schools, Winter Garden, FL, United States of America

PHYS066 — Optimizing the Laser Alignment Process: Automated Alignment for Enhanced Efficiency in Magneto-Optical Trap Calibration

• Tatyana Marie McVay, Paul Duke STEM High School, Peachtree Corners, GA, United States of America

PLNT020 — Mars or Bust! A Method to Build a Martian Regolith-Based Substrate for Sustainable Agriculture on Mars

• Quinn Jacie Hughes, Minnetonka High School, Mound, MN, United States of America

ROBO039 — Scents and Sensibility: Investigating the Influence of Visual Cues on Olfactory Perception of Humans and Building an AI-based Electronic Nose to Compare the Two

• John Newton Anand, Anand Homeschool Academy, Akron, OH, United States of America

SOFT046T — DynaGrad: A Novel Gradient Descent With Adaptive Dual Learning Rates & Momenta for Improved Optimization and Accelerated Convergence in Deep Neural Networks

• Pratishrut Kamal, William G. Enloe High School, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
• Venkata Varshith Vadlamudi, William G. Enloe High School, Apex, NC, United States of America

TECA019T — Diffusion-Based Conditional Mesh Synthesis for Rapid 3D Visual Design

• Anant Khandelwal, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Arlington, VA, United States of America
• Siddhant Sood, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Herndon, VA, United States of America
• Sritan Motati, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Chantilly, VA, United States of America

TMED037 — Advancing Wound Infection Assessment by Utilizing pH-Sensitive Curcuma Longa, Phase II

• Ishita Mukadam, Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment, Fairfield, IA, United States of America

Glass trophy and USAF medal for each recipient

Alfred University

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EGSD035 — Redefining the Landscape of Hydrogen Safety Using Innovative Gasochromic Technology

• Alia Wahban, Hillfield Strathallan College, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

MATS012 — Biomimetic, Micro-Structured and Hydrophobic Surfaces for Blood-Repellent Medical Devices

• Madison Julianna Gambin, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, United States of America

American Chemical Society

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First Award of $4,000

BCHM018 — Human Milk Immune Complexes Isolated Following Pregnancies Complicated by COVID-19 Infection Contain SARS-CoV-2 Nsp13 Helicase and Biologically Active Factors

• Vaishnavi Kolluru, Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon, CA, United States of America

Second Award of $3,000

CHEM012 — Chemical Modification of Acetaminophen to Decrease Liver Toxicity

• Chloe Yehwon Lee, Plano East Senior High School, Murphy, TX, United States of America

Third Award of $2,000

CHEM035 — Novel TMOS-Dependent Synthesis of Water-Stable CsPbBr3-SiO2 Nanoparticles for Bioimaging Applications

• Katherine Lam, University High School, Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Fourth Award of $1,000

CHEM036 — Synergistic Development of Perovskite Oxide Electrocatalysts Through Metal-Organic Framework Precursors for Energy Conversion Applications

• Abeer Ali Alyousef, Dohat Alibdaa International Schools, Alahsa, Eastern Province , Saudi Arabia

Diploma of Recognition and $100 gift card

BCHM033 — The Effect of Liposomes on Drug Delivery of Ascorbic Acid

• Thien-Nhi Allison Nguyen, West Shore Junior/Senior High School, Melbourne, FL, United States of America

CHEM046T — Dyes Adsorption Using Activated Carbon From Coffee Capsule Grounds

• Alana Carolina da Costa Franca, Instituto Federal da Bahia (IFBA) – Campus Camacari, Dias d’Avila, Bahia, Brazil
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• Emily Kanashiro da Hora, Instituto Federal da Bahia (IFBA) – Campus Camacari, Camacari, Bahia, Brazil

CHEM058 — Synthesis and Evaluation of a Low-Cost Biopolymer Encapsulant for Lead Sequestration in Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

• Abhinav Venkata Meduri, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Cary, NC, United States of America

CHEM068 — Optimizing Synthesis of mRNA Therapeutics

• Srijay Sritaharan Chenna, The Charter School of Wilmington, Newark, DE, United States of America

American Mathematical Society

The American Mathematical Society was founded in 1888, to further the interests of mathematical research & scholarship, as well as to serve the national/international community through its publications, meetings, advocacy & other programs. Friends and family of the late mathematician, Karl Menger, contribute to a fund in his memory, to be distributed by the AMS for annual awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

First Award of $2,000

MATH018 — On an Approximation of Divisor Sum Functions With Bernoulli Polynomials and the Hardy Littlewood Function

• Quang Tran, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Harvey, LA, United States of America

Second Award of $1,000

MATH002 — Symmetry, Fixed Points and Quantum Billiards: A Confluence of Ideas

• Anna Oliva, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, TX, United States of America

MATH012 — Integration of Sequences

• Emma Rueter, Leibniz-Gymnasium Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Third Award of $500

MATH006 — Euler-phi Partitions, p-Euler-phi Partitions, Inverse-p-Euler-phi Partitions and Their Generating Functions

• Arda Ozcelebi, Izmir Ozel Ege Lisesi, Izmir, Turkey

MATH013 — A Study on Arc Index of Theta Curves

• Yoonsang Lee, Korea Science Academy of KAIST, Seoul, South Korea

MATH030T — An Elementary Method for Fast Modular Exponentiation With Factored Modulus

• Anay Aggarwal, Jesuit High School, Portland, OR, United States of America
• Manu Isaacs, Jesuit High School, Portland, OR, United States of America

MATH034 — Virtually Reconstructing an Ancient Musical Instrument

• Helena Welch, Los Alamos High School, Los Alamos, NM, United States of America

Honorable Mention and One-Year Membership to AMS (for 5 projects with up to 3 team members per project)

MATH003 — Enhancing Ethereum’s Security With LUMEN, Novel Zero-Knowledge Algorithms Generating Transparent and Efficient SNARKs Based on Hidden Order Groups

• Yunjia Quan, Charlotte Country Day School, Charlotte, NC, United States of America

MATH008 — Injective Chromatic Index of Packet Radio Networks: Improved Upper Bounds

• Austin Luo, Morgantown High School, Morgantown, WV, United States of America

MATH010 — Detecting Causality in 2+1 Dimension Spacetimes Using Symplectic Quandles

• Ayush Jain, Shri Ram School – Aravali Campus, Gurugram, Haryana, India

MATH014 — Twisted Homogeneous Racks Over the Alternating Groups

• Joseph Amichai Vulakh, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY, United States of America

MATH016 — Fibonacci Analogues of Legendre’s Formula and Fine’s Theorem

• Arav Chand, Half Hollow Hills High School West, Dix Hills, NY, United States of America

MATH025 — Linear Group of Seventh Chord Transformations

• Songtianze Huang, Hangzhou Foreign Languages School, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

MATH027 — Enhancing Federated Learning Using Mathematical Theorems and Coding Technologies

• Sarah Lu, Centro Residencial de Oportunidades Educativas de Mayaguez, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

One-Year Membership to American Mathematical Society to each winner (7 winning projects, up to 3 team members per project)

American Psychological Association

The American Psychological Association is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students as its members. APA’s mission is to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.

Complimentary student affiliate memberships

ANIM037 — Concentration-Dependent Effects of Dietary Niacin and NAD+ in Longevity, Memory, and Motor Function of Drosophila melanogaster

• Olivia Saun So, Harvard-Westlake Upper School, Studio City, CA, United States of America

ANIM039 — Rhythms and Blues: Examining Potential Health Hazards of Blue Light-induced Circadian Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster

• Rania S. Lateef, Governor’s School at Innovation Park, Manassas, VA, United States of America

BEHA012T — Searching for “Magic Pill”: A Novel Adenosine Modulator in the Treatment of Schizophrenia and Stress-Related Disorders

• Shao-Chieh Fu, Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School, New Taipei City, Taiwan
• Yu-Pin Tsao, Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School, New Taipei City, Taiwan

BEHA015 — Differential Empathy, Social Dominance Orientation, and the Limitations of Social Science Research

• Sierra Anne Sun, The Waterford School, Sandy, UT, United States of America

BEHA037 — ArabLexify: Elevating Early Dyslexia Diagnosis in Arabic-Speaking Children Ages 6-12 by Utilizing Accessible Digital Screening Tool

• Mohamed Ahmed Sakr, Obour STEM School, Cairo, Egypt

BEHA045 — Harmony: A Remote AI-based Monitoring and Prediction System for Manic and Depression Episodes in Bipolar Disorders

• Sahar Ashraf Ahmed, City Schools, Sohag, Egypt

BEHA048 — The Recursive Relationship Between Personalized Music Choice and Adolescent Mental Wellness: An Empirical Study

• Aanya Gupta, Horace Mann School, New York, NY, United States of America

First Award of $1,500

Arizona State University

Arizona State University is pleased to offer a scholarship combining a monetary award and an environment focusing on knowledge, learning and research. The New American University ISEF Scholarship is renewable for four years. Individuals and teams will be considered for these awards.

Arizona State University ISEF Scholarship (valued at up to $58,000 each)

BEHA002 — Targeting ADHD with a Noninvasive System to Improve Concentration Based on Electroencephalogram and Neurofeedback Methodology

• Emma Christine Lee, Stanton College Preparatory School, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America

BEHA010T — Finding Relief in Back Pain Through an Accessible Laptop Stand

• Nichelle Corpuz, Waipahu High School, Waipahu, HI, United States of America
• Zea Hope Galacgac, Waipahu High School, Waipahu, HI, United States of America

BEHA023 — Towards Improved Recognition and Diagnosis of Autism Among Females – A Novel Approach Using Machine Learning

• Aanika Tangirala, Lakeside School, Seattle, WA, United States of America

CHEM067 — The Ultimate Plant-Powered Bike Lube

• Brandon Ambridge Dunn, Fremont High School, Plain City, UT, United States of America

EAEV101 — Investigating Concentrates of Uranium and Other Hazardous Metals/Metalloids in the Surrounding Environments of Uranium Contaminated Waters on the Navajo Nation

• Haylei Redhouse, Navajo Preparatory School, Tsaile, AZ, United States of America

EGSD047 — Waste to Watts: Converting Locally Sourced Organic Waste Material Into Activated Carbon Based Supercapacitors

• Shrey Rohilla, The Classical Academy – North, Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

ENBM039T — OralAI: A Fluorescence Based Mobile System for Dental Disease Prevention

• Ayush Garg, Dublin High School, Dublin, CA, United States of America
• Divij Motwani, Palo Alto Senior High School, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

ENEV051 — Revision in Airfoil Design to Increase Fuel Efficiency in Commercial Aircraft

• Sungwon Lee, Troy High School, Troy, MI, United States of America

ENEV055T — Sensor-Assisted, Noninvasive Monitoring for Operational, Investigative and Predictive Hive Health Management for Honeybee Colonies – Sustainable Bee Keeping

• Naithruv Kashyap, Westwood High School, Austin, TX, United States of America
• Suchir Kumar, Westwood High School, Austin, TX, United States of America

ETSD066 — I.D.A.S – Interlocking Drone Aerial Swarm: Enhancing Thrust and Battery Configuration Flexibility

• Yuvan Senthil, BASIS Peoria, Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

MCRO032T — Bacterial Acoustic: Investigating the Impact of White Noise on the Growth of E. coli

• Andrea Angelye Ananya Betancourt, Harvest Preparatory Academy, Yuma, AZ, United States of America
• Diana Paula Navarro Ruiz, Harvest Preparatory Academy, San Luis, AZ, United States of America
• Diane Sofia Ladino, Harvest Preparatory Academy, San Luis, AZ, United States of America

PHYS034 — Gear-Based Topological Mechanical Metamaterials

• Belen Ariana Franco de la Matta, Bergen County Academies, Northvale, NJ, United States of America

PLNT012 — The Growth of Spinach in Vertical and Horizontal Hydroponics

• Lauren Johnson, Mililani High School, Mililani, HI, United States of America

PLNT035T — Pest Buster! Pests Repelling Biodegradable Weed Barrier Infused with Grape Skin and Turmeric Extracts: Year 2 Study

• Humberto Gil Villalobos, Harvest Preparatory Academy, San Luis, AZ, United States of America
• Michael Tristan Castro Lucero, Harvest Preparatory Academy, San Luis, AZ, United States of America

ROBO061T — Smart Device for the Visually Impaired

• Danaya Jaslene Figueroa, Grand Terrace High School, Colton, CA, United States of America
• Priscilla Elena Munoz, Grand Terrace High School, Bloomington , CA, United States of America

SOFT010 — Help! I Need Somebody: An Assistive Device That Notifies Emergency Services Once a Fall Has Been Detected

• Maria Faith Sears, Monte Vista High School, Monte Vista, CO, United States of America

TMED002 — Disinfectant Properties of Nuphar advena: An Ethnopharmaceutical Approach

• Johanna Lynn Bernu, Cloquet Senior High School, Cloquet, MN, United States of America

Association for Computing Machinery

ACM is widely recognized as the premier membership organization for computing professionals, delivering resources that advance computing as a science and a profession; enable professional development; and promote policies and research that benefit society. ACM hosts the computing industry’s leading Digital Library and serves its global members and the computing profession with journals and magazines, conferences, workshops, electronic forums, and Learning Center.

ROBO033T — VannameiVision: A Novel End-to-End Pipeline for Stock Quality Assessment With a Case Study in Shrimp Post-larvae Screening From Robust Data Acquisition to Autonomous Segmentation and Systematic Characterization of Count, Size, and Vitality

• Patipond Tiyapunjanit, Princess Chulabhon Science High School Pathumthani, Minburi, Bangkok, Thailand
• Thinnaphat Siammai, Princess Chulabhon Science High School Pathumthani, Min Buri, Bangkok, Thailand

SOFT032 — Developing a Novel Paradigm for the Distributed Storage of Digital Information

• Lianne Ahmed Algrafi, Dar AlFikr Schools, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Third Award of $1,500

SOFT052 — Developing a Novel Holistic, Personalized Dementia Risk Prediction Model via Integration of Machine Learning and Network Systems Biology Approaches

• Srilekha Mamidala, Garnet Valley High School, Garnet Valley, PA, United States of America

Fourth Award of $500

ROBO035 — The Virtual Cardiologist: Three Deep Learning Pipelines in an Inexpensive Portable Device and Web/Mobile Application for Rapid Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Clinical Decision-Making

• Shiv Mehrotra-Varma, Clovis North High School, Fresno, CA, United States of America

SOFT035 — Software for Customized Development of Partial Hand Prostheses in the 3D-Printed Prosthetics Community

• Katherine Cha Robertson, Sage Hill School, Irvine, CA, United States of America

SOFT055T — Integration of Deep Learning Into Automatic Volumetric Cardiovascular Dissection and Reconstruction in Simulated 3D Space for Medical Practice

• Le Quoc Bao Nguyen, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam
• Tuan Hy Le, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence

AAAI is a scientific society devoted to advancing the scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior and their embodiment in machines. AAAI promotes research in, and responsible use of, artificial intelligence, as well as public understanding of artificial intelligence. AAAI also strives to improve the teaching and training of AI practitioners, and provide guidance on the importance and potential of current AI developments and future directions.

ROBO019T — State Space Models Are All You Need

• Aidan Ong, Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore, Singapore
• Junxiang Cai, National Junior College, Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

SOFT043 — Gaze Link: A Multi-language Low-Cost Mobile Eye-Gesture Communication System With Large Language Models for People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

• Xiangzhou Sun, Webb School of California, Claremont, CA, United States of America

TMED025 — Alcott: A Convolutional Neural Network to Predict Multimeric Interactions in HIV-1 Neural Infection

• Anna Grace Mohanty, Washington-Lee High School, Arlington, VA, United States of America

Honorable Mention

BMED023 — Improving Racial Equity in Skin Cancer Detection: Using Artificial Intelligence Driven Synthetic Image Generation and Cascading Convolutional Neural Networks to Diagnose Cancer in Lesions of Varying Skin Tones

• Kate Choi, The Potomac School, McLean, VA, United States of America

CBIO033 — A Deep Semi-Supervised Domain Generalization Approach for Epileptic Seizure Prediction Using Electroencephalography (EEG)

• Sunwoo (Ria) An, Loomis Chaffee School, Windsor, CT, United States of America

ENBM066T — PoDE – A Platform Leveraging Characteristic Time Series Patterns of Oculomotor Control Attributable to Cholinergic Neuron Destruction in the Parietal Lobe, Indicating Early Alzheimer’s Disease Utilizing the PoDE Neural Network

• Lenny Thomas, The Prince Royal’s College, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Tanyada Thongbai, The Prince Royal’s College, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Tin Potikanond, The Prince Royal’s College, Mueang , Chiang Mai, Thailand

ROBO007T — Advancing Pet Face Recognition: A Deep Learning Approach With a Large-Scale Dataset

• Hiu Yan Lin, Kao Yip Middle School, Macao, China, Macao Special Administrative Region
• Nok Him Isaac Lau, Kao Yip Middle School, Macao, China, Macao Special Administrative Region

TMED064 — ALLocate: A Low-Cost Automatic Artificial Intelligence System for the Real-Time Localization and Classification of Acute Leukemia in Bone Marrow Smears

• Ethan Shuai Yan, Groton School, Burlingame, CA, United States of America

AAAI Student Memberships for each finalist that is part of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize Winning projects and 5 Honorable Mention winning projects (up to 3 students per project) (in-kind award / part of the 1st-3rd prize)

AAAI Membership for the School Libraries of All 8 Winners (in-kind award / part of 1st-3rd prize and honorable mentions’ prize)

China Association for Science and Technology (CAST)

China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) is the largest organization of scientists and technologists in China. One of its missions is to promote public understanding of science. Having developed science education programs, CAST supports youth and adolescents in becoming citizens with high scientific literacy. CAST awards are given to the projects that best reflect the originality and innovation of the students’ work in all scientific disciplines.

Award of $1,200

BMED075 — A Novel Identification of the Epigenetic Enzyme JMJD1a in Neuroinflammation

• Baochan Fan, Hamilton High School, Chandler, AZ, United States of America

EAEV091 — CABMS: The First System Against California Marine Biotoxins Through Deep, Spatiotemporal, Multivariate Prediction and Sensor-Based Data Transmission

• Yuqin Ma, The Harker School, Mountain View, CA, United States of America

ENBM033 — To Infinity Egg Beyond: Novel Systems for Hyper-Customizable Egg Models

• Muhammad Hosam Eldin El-Sherbiny, Bergen County Academies, Fort Lee, NJ, United States of America

ENEV043 — Developing a New Alkaline-Activated Cement Based on Carbonation Process to Reduce CO2 Emissions

• Fatimah Alshakhs, Alanjal Private School, Alahsa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

ETSD041 — Low-Cost Rapid Response Rocket Launched UAV for Wildfire Hotspot Detection

• Jason Zhao, Collingwood School, West Vancouver, Canada

MATH031 — Balancing Misclassification Costs (BMC) in Imbalanced Classification

• Sophia Fu, Carmel High School, Carmel, IN, United States of America

MATS037 — 3D Bioprinting Soft Microrobotic “Niches” for Stem Cell Delivery

• Cindy Cheng, Laurel Heights Secondary School, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

MCRO001 — Next-Generation Antibiotics: Isolating and Screening Novel Bacteriocins

• Rishit Arnav Shaquib, Vanguard High School, Ocala, FL, United States of America

PHYS008 — Dust-Repellent and Self-Cleaning Coatings for Solar Panels on Earth, the Moon and Mars (Year Two)

• Arvid Charles Larsson Vaidyanathan, Winter Springs High School, Oviedo, FL, United States of America

SOFT044 — Solving Second-Order Cone Programs in Matrix Multiplication Time

• Michelle Wei, The Harker School, Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT)

The Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT) is a not-for-profit, corporate member-supported, and volunteer-led global business development association for companies engaged in the Bio/Pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain.

DCAT First Prize

BCHM008 — Analysis of Novel Multi-Enzyme Formulation’s Synergistic Implications for the Enhanced Interventional Disruption of E. coli Biofilms

• Muhilan Balasubramanian, Ballard High School, Louisville, KY, United States of America

BMED006 — Preclinical Investigation to Develop Anti-Platelet and Cholesterol-Lowering Agent for Prevention and Treatment of Stroke

• Sharmada Palakurthi, W.B. Ray High School, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America

CELL033 — Rock the Metals! Investigating Manganese as a Trigger of Malignancy and Metal Transporters as Targets in Cancer Treatment

• Carolina de Araujo Pereira da Silva, Instituto Federal de Educacao Ciencia e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Sao Joao de Meriti, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

CHEM045 — Evaluation of Antimalarial Activity of Artemisinin Derivatives by the Reaction with Fe(II) Ion in Micelles

• Yumi Tsukai, Tokushima Municipal High School, Tokushima, Japan

MCRO019 — The Antibacterial Effect of Allium sativum on Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Phase II

• Antariksha Sharma, Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment, Fairfield, IA, United States of America

MCRO038T — Combating Superbugs: Using Natural Compounds as Down-Regulators of Biofilms Formation in ESKAPE Pathogens (An in silico Study)

• Avi Gupta, Seminole High School, Lake Mary, FL, United States of America
• Jai Gupta, Seminole High School, Lake Mary, FL, United States of America

TMED062 — Design, Synthesis, and Testing of Novel Small Molecule Interleukin-6 Inhibitors for the Amelioration of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Siddharth Maruvada, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Apex, NC, United States of America

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Institute of Technology is a nationally ranked, doctoral degree granting research university. The university offers degrees in engineering, science, computing, aeronautics, business, psychology and liberal arts. Its location just south of the Kennedy Space Center provides incredible research opportunities for students interested in engineering and science. Florida Tech will offer three presidential scholarships to ISEF participants that equal full tuition each year for four years upon fulltime enrollment at the university. Awardees must complete the FAFSA to be Eligible.

Full Tuition Presidential Scholarship

EAEV003 — Tree Rings as a Potential Monitoring Tool for Saltwater Intrusion

• Alynza Isabella McBride, South Sumter High School, Webster, FL, United States of America

ETSD065 — Re-Shaping an Airplane’s Wings to Improve Aerodynamic Efficiency

• Fernando Andres Andino -Serrano, The San Juan Math, Science and Technology Center, Vega Alta, Puerto Rico

PHYS002 — Analysis of Optimal Rotor Shape: Year 3

• Jose M. Carvajal-Beltran, Wildwood High School, Wildwood, FL, United States of America

Fondazione Bruno Kessler

The Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK) is a leading research center in Trento, Italy. WebValley is the FBK Summer School program for interdisciplinary scientific research. A team of enthusiastic and motivated high school students and FBK researchers accepts a project challenge, proposed by a visiting scientist. FBK’s Board of Directors will award several Intel ISEF finalists full fellowships to be part of the WebValley team in June.

Award to participate in summer school “Web Valley”

CBIO057 — Gut Microbiome-Cardiometabolic Disease Spectrum Association Analysis Using Machine Learning

• Gil Ramot, Ilan Ramon, Hod HaSharon, Israel

EAEV059 — Global Pesticide Use and Parkinson’s Disease Incidence: Using Data Science to Optimize Pesticide Regulations and Linking Glyphosate Exposure to Neural Inflammation

• Angelina Imad Ayoubi, Somers High School, Katonah, NY, United States of America

ENEV058 — Piezocatalysis with Optimized Turbulent Flow in Hydro Turbine for Eutrophication Remediation

• Emily Zhao, Manhasset High School, Manhasset, NY, United States of America

IEEE Foundation

IEEE is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to fostering technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. The IEEE Foundation supports the IEEE core purpose. IEEE awards the $10,000 Presidents’ Scholarship to recognize a deserving student for an outstanding project demonstrating an understanding of electrical/electronics engineering, computer science, or other IEEE field of interest. In addition to the scholarship, IEEE awards a $600 Second Place Award and a $400 Third Place Award. This year, a $1,000 25th Anniversary award will also be presented.

The IEEE Foundation Presidents’ Scholarship Award of $10,000

ETSD037 — An Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System for Ocean Hazard Recognition and Rescue: Scout and Rescue UAVs

• Angelina Kim, The Bishop’s School, Del Mar, CA, United States of America

Second Place Award of $600

ENEV044 — CarboFlux Network: Novel Sensor Node Design for Enhanced CO2 Flux Measurement and Global Ecosystem Monitoring

• Sahiti Bulusu, BASIS Independent Fremont , Fremont, CA, United States of America

Third Place Award of $400

IEEE 25th Anniversary Award

SOFT038 — AuralStudio: A Multisensory Development Environment With a Novel, Bytecode-Compiled Programming Language

• Abhishek Amit Shah, Green Level High School, Apex, NC, United States of America

International Council on Systems Engineering – INCOSE

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is a not-for-profit membership organization founded to develop and disseminate the interdisciplinary principles and practices that enable the realization of successful systems. The INCOSE Best Use of Systems Engineering awards are awarded to the best interdisciplinary projects that can produce technologically appropriate solutions that meet societal needs. There will be a first, second, and third place award.

INCOSE Bill Ewald Socio-Technical Systems Engineering Award of $1000, a 1-year free student membership to INCOSE, and free virtual admission to the 2022 International Symposium of the INCOSE

SOFT058 — Securing Global Food: Biopolymers, Cryptography, and Visual Transformers for Affordable Anti-Counterfeit Seed Protection

• Diana Martynova, Los Gatos High School, Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Second Place INCOSE Best Use of System Engineering Award of $800, a 1-year free student membership to INCOSE, and free virtual admission to the 2022 International Symposium of the INCOSE

ENBM065 — UpLift Mobility: Robotic Lift to Elevate Frequently Falling Individuals

• Jeslyn Gabrielle Tan, Barker College, Sydney, Australia

INCOSE Best Use of Systems Engineering Award* of $1,500 and free registration and Exhibitor Booth at a future INCOSE Symposium

ENBM047 — Micro RNA223-Biomarker Based Exponential Rolling Circle Amplification CRISPR -Cas12a System for Disease Detection and COPD Diagnostics

• Robin Chris Dao, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH, United States of America

Certificate of Honorable Mention, a 1-year free student membership to the INCOSE, and free virtual admission to the 2022 International Symposium of the INCOSE

EBED040 — Mitigation of Pressure Injuries Utilizing an Inertial Wearable, Computer Vision, and Machine Learning

• Maya Julia Trutschl, Caddo Parish Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA, United States of America

ENBM001 — Tableware Jitter Elimination Technology for Parkinson’s Patients

• Susie Meng Di Yuan, Dulwich College Beijing, Beijing, China

ENBM041 — NeuroHAT: Democratizing Brain-Wellness Monitoring Developing A Wearable System with fNIRs & EEG Multimodality Classification Engine & Miniaturized Device

• Jingjing Liang, The Harker School, Cupertino, CA, United States of America

ENBM062 — Orthotic Hand Brace to Improve Range of Motion in Patients With Cerebral Palsy

• Sophia Belle Caramanica, Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI, Shrewsbury, MA, United States of America

ENEV077 — Development of Oil Collecting Submarine Using AI and Hydro-Filter Solution

• Ayhem Bouker, Lycee Privee des Elites 2, Sousse , Tunisia

ETSD050 — SkyLinker: UAV Autonomous Perpetual Solar Flight for Facilitation of Mobile Communication and Long-Distance Surveillance

• Michael Xu, Delbarton School, Berkeley Heights, NJ, United States of America

ROBO078 — Zenith Soar X-4: Autonomous Drone for Autonomous Drone for Disaster Relief and Detection

• Daniel Tyreese Williams, East Coweta High School, Newnan, GA, United States of America
• Soumyanath Memorial Award

This award is presented by the family of Krishnamurthy Soumyanath (1957 – 2010), for the best project in Computer Engineering. Dr Soumyanath was an Intel Fellow and held the title of Chief Architect, Integrated Platform Research at Intel Labs, USA. He led research and development in circuits and architectures for next-generation transceiver devices. The prize honors the memory of an energetic and adventurous individual who inspired and mentored many young people to excel in all aspects of life.

First Award of $3,000

EBED027 — Detecting Forest Fires and Park Visitors in Distress Using Radio Systems

• John Willis Parsons, Auburn High School, Auburn, AL, United States of America

$1,000 will be awarded to the winner’s school.

King Abdulaziz & his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity

“Mawhiba “is a non-profit foundation in Saudi Arabia dedicated to fostering a culture of creativity, The Foundation motivates young people around the world to explore innovative methods in diverse fields of study.

Mawhiba Universal Enrichment Program awards (and a $200 cash prize)

CHEM039 — External Magnetic Field Enhanced Plasmonic Au-WO3 Thin Films for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

• Saleh Abdulaziz Alangari, Riyadh School for Boys and Girls, Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

EBED010T — Real-Time Refractive Visual Aberration Correction Display Using Dynamic Point Spread Function-Based Deconvolution

• Akhilesh Balaji, Neev Academy, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
• Dhruv Ramu, Neev Academy, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

ETSD020 — Origami Chair: Always Accessible to Everyone, Everywhere

• Chiyo Nakatsuji, Oin High School, Tokyo, Japan

MATS033 — Development of Electrolyte Additive for Self-Corrosion Control of Aluminum Air Battery Electrodes

• Jamal Mohammed Al Logmani, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Boys High School, Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

MATS036 — Development of Anti-Dust Nanostructured Silicon Dioxide Coating for Solar Cells

• Areej Alqarni, Al-Batool International School, Mecca, Saudi Arabia

ROBO084T — Smart Power Grid Control: Artificial Intelligence-Based Fault Detection in Power Transmission Systems

• Khazar Huseynov, Educational Complex 132-134, Baku, Azerbaijan
• Nijat Taghizade, Dunya School, Baku, Azerbaijan

Full Scholarship from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals(KFUPM) (and a $400 cash prize)

CHEM030 — Next-Generation Coating: Tunable Self-Healing Material for Intelligent Protection of Metal Surfaces

• Shuyi Deng, YK Pao School, Shanghai, China

CHEM054 — Utilizing Polyurethane Foam and Nano-Activated Carbon-Based Composite for Sustainable Eco-Friendly Oil Spill Remediation

• Jumana Ahmed Ragab, Cairo Manara Language School for Girls Secondary, Nasr City, Cairo , Egypt

CHEM061 — Obtaining a Polyadsorbent From the Natural Diatomite to Purify Wastewater From the Ions of Heavy Metals

• Sayazhan Zhaksygaliyeva, Miras International School, Astana, Kazakhstan

ENBM042T — A Deep Learning-Base Approach for Ovarian Cancer Subtype Classification

• Ahmed Hanafy Abdou, Kafr EL-Sheikh STEM School, Alexandria, Egypt
• Ahmed Kadry Naser, Kafr EL-Sheikh STEM School, Behira , Egypt

ETSD003 — Elastic Waves: Applications of Elastic Wave Propagation in the Recovery of Depleted Oil Patches

• Ionut Gabriel Stan, Liceul Teoretic International de Informatica Bucuresti, Bucharest, Romania

ETSD007T — Enhancing Bobsleigh Performance Through Biomimetic Design Inspired by the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

• Nicholas Zhang, UJ Academy Maths, Science & ICT School of Specialisation, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
• Zaahid Sader, UJ Academy Maths, Science & ICT School of Specialisation, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

MATH023 — Along the Path of the Great Kaprekar: A-Function, Repunits and Their Properties

• Alikhan Zharbolov, National Physics and Mathematics School, Almaty, Kazakhstan

MATH037 — Simulation of Armed Conflict Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Ground Combat Operations

• Volodymyr Borysenko , Cherkassy School Number 28, Town, Cherkasy, Ukraine

MATS001 — A Self-Healing Flexible “Jelly-like” Zinc-Ion Battery: Empowering Wearable Devices and Safe Energy Storage

• Jonathan Xufeng Hu, Shanghai High School International Division, Shanghai, China

ROBO011 — Effective Robotic Swarm Controller Applied to Autonomous Swarm Assembly of Modular Flexible Production Lines

• Michal Lajciak, Stredna Priemyselna Skola, Trencin, Slovakia

ROBO077 — Renovation of Olive Cultivation Sector Using AI

• Ala Bouhaouel, Lycée 2 Mars 1934, Moknine, Tunisia

SOFT037 — Automating Quantum Efficiency: An Algorithm for Gate-Based Optimization of Quantum Circuits

• Abilmansur Rakhmettulayev, Haileybury Astana School, Astana, Kazakhstan

London International Youth Science Forum CIC

Founded in 1959, LIYSF offers a two-week science summer program. Each year 500 students aged 16-21 years old from 70 countries attend, with lecture demonstrations from leading scientists, including Nobel prize winners, scientific visits to world-class laboratories and science universities combined with international cultural interaction. A vital part of the experience of attending LIYSF is creating global citizens through the exchange of different cultures and traditions, and for many students visiting LIYSF offers their first opportunity to travel abroad.

Full scholarship to attend the London International Youth Science Forum, and a $1,500 cash stipend for travel expenses.

Cash stipend for travel expenses associated with travel to and from LIYSF 2024

Long Island University

Long Island University, with two campuses in Brooklyn and Brookville, NY, is in the top 7% of universities with high research activity nationally recognized by the Carnegie Classification. Dassault Systemes designated LIU as the world’s first Center of Excellence in Life Sciences & Research with high societal impact in the fields of precision medicine, pharmaceutical sciences and health care in the digital age. LIU offers majors like Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Veterinary Technology, Biomedical Science, Health Care Administration, Nursing, and more. For more information, visit liu.edu.

Presidential Scholarships

ANIM008 — Why Is the Mare Acting Like a Stallion?: Novel Test to Diagnose Granulosa Cell Tumor

• Melina Esha Kumar, Clear Lake High School, Houston, TX, United States of America

BEHA061 — GaitNet: A Medically Interpretable Video-Based System for Assessing Parkinsonian Gait Impairment Severity Using 2-Stream Spatiotemporal Neural Network

• Andrew Y. Liang, The Harker School, San Jose, CA, United States of America

CBIO025 — A Novel Machine Learning Model for Estrous Cycle Classification

• Saachi Goyal, Academy of Information Technology and Engineering, Stamford, CT, United States of America

EAEV023 — Sponge Studies: Assessing the Effects of Environmental Impacts on Marine Sponge Detritus Production, and Use as a Natural Deep Sea eDNA Sampler

• Kian Kenneth Francisco Sanchez, University Laboratory School, Honolulu, HI, United States of America

ENBM083 — BrainStorm: Reconstructing Natural Vision from fMRI Using Generative Models for Communication and Covert Awareness in Neurological States

• Yashvir Sabharwal , Battlefield High School, Bristow, VA, United States of America

ENEV035 — The Homemade Integration of Biodegradable Materials Into Hydroponics: Using Sawdust and Tannins to Detoxify Greywater

• Ian James Lentz, Camp Hill High School, Camp Hill, PA, United States of America

PLNT031 — Aqua-Arsenic Remediation: Analysis of the Oryza sativa metagenome and Wet-Lab Approach to increase O. sativa Tolerance to Drought and Arsenic Through Hyper Expression of Aquaporin OsNIP2;1, OsNIP3;2, OsPIP2;2 genes (Year IV)

• Prisha Bhat, Plano East Senior High School, Richardson, TX, United States of America

ROBO046 — Home Occupancy Simulation Using Machine Learning

• Humam Al-Shami, Arkansas Connections Academy, Magnolia, AR, United States of America

TMED042 — An Investigation of the Combination of Y15 and Metformin for the Treatment of Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

• Isabela Lucero Mendez, Brownsville Early College High School, Brownsville, TX, United States of America

Mary Kay Inc.

Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 35 countries. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams.

First Prize

TMED030T — IdentiCan: The App That Detects Brain, Breast, Lung, Skin, and Pancreatic Cancer

• Keshvee Sekhda, North Gwinnett High School, Sugar Hill, GA, United States of America
• Nyambura Sallinen, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA, United States of America

Second Prize

CHEM017T — HidroQapa: Waterproof Bioplastic Made From Chitosan Extracted From Shrimp Shell Waste

• Frederico Reis Mauritty, Colegio Valsassina, Lisboa, Portugal
• Madalena de Castro Filipe, Colegio Valsassina, Lisboa, Portugal

Third Prize

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,200 students. Located in Rolla, MO, S&T offers 101 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top universities for return on investment. Missouri S&T is proud to offer these awards to ISEF participants: * THREE $8,000 scholarships over the course of four years for first-year (freshmen) students choosing to attend Missouri S&T. * FIVE Missouri S&T summer camp scholarship up to $1,500 to be used towards the camp and travel expenses

Summer Camp scholarships (camp tuition and travel expenses, valued at up to $1,500)

BMED082 — Obesity and Fresh Food Access: New Evidence and Solutions From Geospatial Data

• Saswat Sasha Tripathi, Parkway West High School, Chesterfield, MO, United States of America

EGSD048 — Renewable Energy Using Peltier Tiles

• Jessica Haley Castro, Saint Pius X High School, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

TMED028T — Revolutionizing Non-Invasive Skin Cancer Detection Through a Novel Vision Transformer Application

• Aryaman Om Mishra, Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center, Portage, MI, United States of America
• Jason Shaye, Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center, Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

$2,000 tuition scholarship (renewable for up to 4 years)

EGSD020 — Efficiency of a 3D-Printed Pico-Hydroelectric Generation System Using a Fused Deposition Modeling Printer

• Simon David Wibbenmeyer, Perryville Senior High School, Perryville, MO, United States of America

EGSD041 — Exploring the Use of Leaf Biomimicry and Electromagnetic Induction for Electricity Production

• Grace Echevarria Rivera, Escuela Bilingue Especializada en Ciencias y Matematicas Papa Juan XXIII Secundaria, Bayamon, Puerto Rico

ROBO066 — Optimizing Lip Reading Using Convoluted Neural Networks

• Daniel Nkunga, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, Sherwood, AR, United States of America

Mu Alpha Theta, National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society

Mu Alpha Theta, the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society, strives to promote the enjoyment and scholarship of mathematics. The Mu Alpha Theta Award is given to the most challenging, thorough, and creative investigation of a problem involving mathematics accessible to high school students. Components of the investigation often include mathematical proof, mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, visualization, simulation, and approximation.

First Award of $ 1,500

MATH022 — Factorization Properties of Puiseux Monoids

• Jason Mao, The Academy for Mathematics, Science & Engineering, Towaco, NJ, United States of America

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. Founded in 1958, NASA drives advances in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth. NASA inspires the world through discovery.

TMED035 — Photobiomodulation on In Vivo and In Vitro Wound Models Under Simulated Microgravity for Future Space Travel

• Leanne Fan, Westview High School, San Diego, CA, United States of America

PHYS031 — A Novel System for Long-Range Wireless Power Transmission

• Anish Anand, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Ranch Palos Verdes, CA, United States of America

ETSD008 — Modelling Lunar Drivetrain Technology Through the Design of a Differential Swerve Drive

• Sumana Subramanian, Clear Brook High School, Houston, TX, United States of America

PHYS056 — Discovery of New Extragalactic Planet Candidates: A Novel End-to-End Machine Learning Pipeline for Efficient Transit Detection in the X-ray Spectrum

• Emily Nicole Aleman, Centro Residencial de Oportunidades Educativas de Ceiba, Río Grande, Puerto Rico

National Anti-Vivisection Society

Since 1929, the National Anti-Vivisection Society has promoted greater compassion, respect and justice for animals. NAVS educational and advocacy programs advance better, more humane science; support the development of alternatives to the use of animals in research, testing and education; and effect changes which help to end the unnecessary suffering of animals.

Awards of $3,000

ANIM049 — DOGMA (Dogs’ Oncological Genomic Metabolite Analyzer): Diagnosis of CMTs in Dogs Using a Machine Learning Model

• Asher Wang, Holicong Middle School, Jamison, PA, United States of America

BCHM034 — Novel Complementary and Alternative Medicines to Mollify Long COVID and Post-COVID Conditions Studied Using Controlled Environment Agriculture

• Rohan Prakash Bhosale, Carmel High School, Carmel, IN, United States of America

ENBM025 — Developing Optimal Fused Deposition Modeling Surfaces for Cell Growth in Lab-On-A-Chip Applications

• Suraj Dixit, Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center, Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

ROBO059 — Democratizing Multi-Species Object Detection in Drone Imagery for Cost-Effective Population Monitoring of Endangered Animals

• Sowmya Sankaran, Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

TMED014 — Wound Simulator: An in vitro Study of a Novel Biological Growth Factor Concentrate on Oral Mucositis

• Keerthana Rajesh, Greenwood High International School Bangalore, Bangalore , Karnataka, India

National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas. The National Geographic Society is presenting special awards to Regeneron ISEF participants whose projects display excellence in Geography and Geospatial Science.

Excellence in Geography and Geospatial Science Award

EAEV033 — Global Soil Respiration Insights Through Machine Learning: Projections and Future Climate Change Implications

• Manfred Lim, Jericho High School, Jericho, NY, United States of America

EAEV058 — Forecasting Post-Wildfire Vegetation Recovery in California Using a Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory Tensor Regression Network

• Jiahe Liu, Edgemont High School, Scarsdale, NY, United States of America

EAEV079 — Flood Mitigation of Tarlac City Through 3D Simulation of Groundwater Discharge to Flood Inundation Using Rainfall Prediction and Integration of Spatio-Temporal GIS in Hydrodynamic Models

• Arnon Yzabel Guzman Guinto, Tarlac National High School, Tarlac City, Tarlac, Philippines

ROBO043 — Urban Slum Detection and Mapping: Semantic Segmentation on VHR Satellite Imagery

• Meenakshi Nair, Mission San Jose High School, Fremont, CA, United States of America

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a United States government science agency with a mission of science, service, and stewardship. NOAA enriches life through science, with a reach that goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor. They work to keep the public informed of the changing environment around them, protect life and property, and conserve and protect natural resources. NOAA’s Special Awards recognize outstanding projects in ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate sciences with cash awards.

Judges’ Award

EAEV093T — Algae as a Resource for Bioplastic Production: Evaluating Species-Specific Characteristics and Biodegradability of Closterium, Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Volvox, Spirogyra, Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta

• Joseph Jeong, Forest Hills High School, Queens , NY, United States of America
• Madison Janice Bennett, Forest Hills High School, East Elmhurst , NY, United States of America
• Pretom Chowdhury, Forest Hills High School, NYC, NY, United States of America

ENEV066 — Microplastic Flotation: A Novel Method to Analyze and Remove Microplastics

• Elizabeth Rose Barnes, Shawnee Mission West High School, Shawnee, KS, United States of America

Science Communication Award

EAEV050 — A Novel Approach for Tropical Cyclone Track Forecast Across the Atlantic Basin

• Nikita Agrawal, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Chicago, IL, United States of America

Taking the Pulse of the Planet First Award

EAEV062T — Acoustic Filtration: Harnessing Ultrasonic Technology for the Streamlined Removal of Microplastic Particles From Water Flow

• Justin Yizhou Huang, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America
• Victoria Ou, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

ENEV080 — Year II: Resistant Electromagnet Propulsion for Petroleum Removal Employing Biocompatible Magnetorheological Fluid in Oil Spill Applications

• Tiffani Rai Gay, Orlando Science Schools, Apopka, FL, United States of America

National Security Agency Research Directorate

The NSA Research Directorate is one of the most established research organizations in the U.S. Intelligence Community. As a world leader in science and technology, Research engages with leading industries, universities, and national laboratories to both advance core competencies and to leverage work in overlapping disciplines. The ISEF Special Awards recognize exceptional research that demonstrates world-class skills in mathematics, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, physics, and neuroscience while promoting research that can assure and protect cyberspace.

Third Place Award Mathematics

Second Place Award Mathematics

First Place Award Mathematics

Third Place Award Cybersecurity

SOFT036 — Unmasking Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Direct and Transitive OSS Dependencies

• Sebastian Rae Alexis, Northwood High School, Irvine, CA, United States of America

SOFT040 — A Novel Approach to Detecting Academic Dishonesty Involving Artificial Intelligence

• Jun Jang, Oxford High School, Oxford, MS, United States of America

Second Place Award Cybersecurity

SOFT024 — Engineering a WebAssembly-Based Shell

• Diego Zhen-Yi Frias, Oregon Episcopal School, Portland, OR, United States of America

SOFT033 — Improving the Ransomware Detection/Mitigation Proof-of-Concept With Machine Learning

• Eric Ruike Song, Yorktown High School, Yorktown Heights, NY, United States of America

First Place Award Cybersecurity

ROBO057 — AdvMed: Detecting Adversarial Attacks in Medical Deep Learning Systems

• Ayushi Mehrotra, Troy High School, Irvine, CA, United States of America

Third Place Award Principles of Security and Privacy

Second Place Award Principles of Security and Privacy

EBED003 — Terahertz Gap Communication Using Black Body Radiation

• Jonathan Luke Dorminy, Sola Fide Home School, McDonough, GA, United States of America

First Place Award Principles of Security and Privacy

First Place Award Material Science

MATS030T — Engineering a Greener Future: A Novel, Biodegradable, Self-Powered, Chitosan-Based Food Packaging Material

• Grace Yuan, College Park High School, Spring, TX, United States of America
• Nikita Catherine D’Souza, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

National Taiwan Science Education Center

National Taiwan Science Education Center (NTSEC) is a national organization and science center aiming at promoting science education in Taiwan. NTSEC holds Taiwan International Science Fair (TISF) every year to encourage Taiwanese students as well as international participants with excellent performance in science research to showcase their work. Taiwan International Science Fair Special Award recognizes projects with the best creativity and scientific applications and offers opportunities to participate in TISF.

ANIM042 — BeeMind AI: Development of an AI-Based System to Assess Honeybee Health, Behavior, and Nutrient Effects on Learning and Memory

• Matthew Allen Lo, The Haverford School, Berwyn, PA, United States of America

BCHM013 — Characterization of Antimicrobials From the Soil Bacterium Xenorhabdus szentirmaii

• Ritisha Dey, Shorewood High School, Shorewood, WI, United States of America

NC State College of Engineering

NC State is home to one of the world’s finest colleges of engineering and computer science. NC State Engineering integrates classroom learning, research, and hands-on experience, and our graduates emerge with the skills they need to succeed. Award winners will take part in a week-long summer camp, completing hands-on engineering challenges, exploring solutions, and sharing achievements along with other aspiring engineers.

BCHM036 — On the Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles From Eggshells via the Sol-Gel Method

• Viraj Luthra, Chantilly High School, Chantilly, VA, United States of America

BMED019 — Accelerating Breast Cancer Diagnoses: Leveraging Machine Learning to Accurately Predict Breast Cancer Presence and Growth With Hormonal Data

• Joshua Hyungwan Kim, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN, United States of America

CBIO011 — Utilizing Deep Learning to Facilitate Diagnosis of Look-Alike Leukemia Subtypes

• Tessla Chan, Roslyn High School, Roslyn, NY, United States of America

ENBM076 — Utilizing 3D Additive Biomanufacturing To Develop a Biocompatible, Customizable and Durable Mechanical Aortic Valve – Year 2

• Aadi Nishant Bhensdadia, Pine View School, Sarasota, FL, United States of America

ENEV079 — Democratizing Desalination: Study of Materials and Methods To Make Desalination Less Energy Intensive and Affordable

• Ahil Thendral, Northwest High School, Germantown, MD, United States of America

MATH036 — Data-Driven Predictive Mathematical Model of Fish Population Dynamics

• Eleanor Kathleen Rossi, Jamestown High School, Williamsburg, VA, United States of America

BMED003 — E-cadherin Expression as a Predictor of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Early Onset Colorectal Cancer

• Anika Bhandare, Sebring High School, Sebring, FL, United States of America

EBED025 — Omni Wheel: An Innovative Wheel Design for a Walker With Pressure Tracking, Lidar Sensing and Braking Capability

• Annika Chadha, duPont Manual High School, Louisville, KY, United States of America

ENEV005 — An Integrated Algae Mitigation System to Seek & Abate Harmful Algal Blooms (Year 5)

• Sharanya S. Natarajan, Edgewood Junior Senior High School, Melbourne, FL, United States of America

Non-Trivial

How can you actually change the world? The Non-Trivial Fellowship is an online part-time program for high school students aged 14-20 to start solving the world’s most pressing problems. You’ll learn from experts like artificial intelligence pioneer Yoshua Bengio, get a $500 scholarship, and up to $15,000 in funding. We participate in ISEF to recognise and encourage projects tackling the world’s most pressing problems, like climate change, pandemics, and risks from artificial intelligence. Read more and apply: nntrvl.org/ISEF

10 scholarships for Non-trivial

ANIM004 — Analysis of the Larvicidal Biopotential of Jua Bravo (Solanum viarum Dunal) on Mosquito Larvae Causing Tropical Diseases

• Pedro Paulo Milhomem Braga, Escola Santa Teresinha, Imperatriz, Brazil

ANIM007 — Utilizing Microbiome Transplants to Improve Landscape-Scale Mosquito Suppression

• Logan Tokuzo Kaenohomekahau’oli Lee, Iolani School, Honolulu, HI, United States of America

CBIO013 — Atomically Yours: Novel DeepGraphDTI Takes Fight Against Future Pandemics to the Next Level

• Wan Qin Lim, Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore, Singapore

CELL031 — Identification of Survivin as a Novel Longevity Biomarker: Towards Developing Novel Anti-Aging Therapeutics

• Lana Hamza Almazroei, Dar Al-Tarbia Al-Hadetha, Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

ENBM059 — DengueScreen: A Novel Computer Vision-Based Diagnostic Alternative for Dengue Fever Prioritizing Efficiency, Cost-Effectiveness, and Accuracy

• Jackson Wilson, Highlands High School, Fort Thomas, KY, United States of America

ROBO063 — Bias in Large Language Models (LLMs); Paving the Way for an Equitable Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

• Rihito Kotani, Tokyo Gakugei University International Secondary School, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

SOFT019 — Back Propagation Neural Network Based Framework for Unknown Malware Detection

• Yi-Jhe Chen, The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University, New Taipei City, Taiwan

TMED044 — MalaScope – A Low-Cost Deep Learning Sensor for Label-Free Detection of Malaria

• Gurnoor Kaur, Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute , Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Office of Naval Research on behalf of the United States Navy and Marine Corps

The Naval Science Awards Program (NSAP) is a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps program that encourages our nation’s students to develop and retain an interest in science and engineering. NSAP recognizes the accomplishments of eligible students at regional and state science and engineering fairs, as well as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in producing and presenting quality science and engineering projects.

The Chief of Naval Research Scholarship Award of $15,000

EBED013 — Project Vision: Assisted Navigation & Waypoint Positioning Through 3D Mapping

• James Nagler, Garden City High School, Garden City, NY, United States of America

ETSD025 — How Magnetically Suspended Tires Utilizing High-Temperature Superconductivity and Electromagnetism Creates the Most Eco-Friendly Vehicle

• Isabella Alexandria Pinto, Hanford High School, West Richland, WA, United States of America

ETSD039 — Impact of Toroidal Propeller Design on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Acoustic Signature and Aerodynamic Performance

• Hannah Brooke Jansen, Governor’s School at Innovation Park, Nokesville, VA, United States of America

ETSD061 — Higher-Efficiency Altitude-Adaptive Dynamic Rocket Engine Nozzle

• Timucin Erbas, Acton Boxborough Regional High School, Acton, MA, United States of America

Patent and Trademark Office Society

The PTOS is a membership-based organization for Patent and Trademark professionals and other interested individuals. From its inception in 1917, the Society has been dedicated to the improvement and appreciation of the United States Patent and Trademark Systems through promoting the systems’ growth and well-being, as well as promoting the social and intellectual welfare of the Society members.

A flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol will be given to the top winner of this Special Award.

Top Award of $1,000, and an American flag and a framed copy of the first patent granted in the USA

Second Award of $500

ANIM047 — Determining the Distribution of Arginine in Gracilaria salicornia and Codium edule and Fibropapillomatosis Rates in Chelonia mydas in Kāneʻohe Bay

• Maddux Alexander Springer , Iolani School, Kaneohe, HI, United States of America

BMED020 — Early Detection of Ankylosing Spondylitis Using Analysis of Breathing Patterns With Neural Networks

• Jayveer Sachin Kochhar, Jamnabai Narsee International School, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

ENBM082 — AquaGuard: A Device for Real-Time Drowning Detection in Swimming Pools Utilizing Visual-Spatial Perception With Deep Encoder-Decoder Neural Networks

• Aadi Deshmukh, Moravian Academy, Macungie, PA, United States of America

ETSD042 — Submersible Aerial Vehicle Design Study

• Chetana Gunawardhana, Broad Run High School, Ashburn, VA, United States of America

PHYS012 — Development and Demonstration of a Low-Cost Strip-PET Scanner Prototype

• Samikshya Mahapatra, College Station High School, College Station, TX, United States of America

PHYS040 — Development of New Beam Configurations for OMEGA To Achieve Highly Uniform Indirect Drive Implosions With Cubic Symmetry

• Edward Wu, Pittsford Sutherland High School, Pittsford, NY, United States of America

SOFT008 — Revolutionizing CVD Prevention and Management: A Comprehensive AI-Powered Solution

• Adi Abedalqader AlHourani, Islamic Educational College – Jubeiha, Amman, Jordan

Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council

The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council is committed to promoting advancements in research, development, and innovation initiatives locally and globally. QRDI catalyzes progress across various sectors, fostering collaboration and partnerships to address pressing societal issues and promote sustainable growth. The QRDI Awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in research and innovation across four distinct categories. Each team will receive a $500 award for their remarkable contributions to research and discovery.

The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council awards will recognize 10 projects in the following categories: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics, Environmental Engineering, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Embedded Systems

BEHA011T — A Sensor-Integrated Wearable Device for Support During Autism Spectrum Disorder Meltdowns by Applying the Deep Pressure Stimulation

• Dana Mazen Al-Momani, Jubilee School, Amman, Jordan
• Layan Atef Al-Shobaki, Jubilee School, Amman, Jordan

BMED040 — The Effect of Sugar Substitutes on Amyloid-BETA Plaque Aggregation: A Novel Link Between Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease

• Paige Hinkle, Wilson High School , Sinking Spring, PA, United States of America

CELL032T — Decoding ASXL3: A Novel Biomarker for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Lara Hammoud, Detroit Country Day School, Franklin, MI, United States of America
• Maya Sarah Hammoud , Detroit Country Day School, Franklin , MI, United States of America

EAEV070 — Forward Modelling of Climate Change-Induced Sedimentation and Effects on Coastal Ecosystems

• Kevin Hao, Knox Grammar School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

EBED021T — A Comprehensive Assistive System for Enhancing Independence in Individuals with Quadriplegia

• Sultan Nasser Al-Malki, Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys, Doha, Qatar
• Talal Eisa Ghanem, Qatar Science and Technology Secondary School for Boys, Doha, Qatar

ENEV018T — Development of a Solar Powered Buoy to Measure and Report the Pollution Level of Wetlands

• Eray Akin, Izmir Fen Lisesi, Izmir, Bornova, Turkey
• Murat Leylekoglu, Izmir Fen Lisesi, Izmir, Turkey
• Nisa Iltekin, Izmir Fen Lisesi, Izmir, Bornova, Turkey

ENEV028 — Aerosol Driven Purification: A Novel Method for Purifying Water Utilizing Phase Changes

• Megan Reyna Yeager, Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School, Gambrills , MD, United States of America

ETSD017 — SMART (Sustainable, Modular, Additively-manufactured, Robust, Tower-style) Urban Farming

• Gedeon Kusuma Ang, Raffles Institution, Singapore, Singapore

Qorvo technology has been at the heart of systems that connect, protect and power the planet for more than 30 years. As a company, we foster multiple outreach activities, focus on building a strong foundation for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). An important pillar of our Qorvo Cares Program is promoting STEM Education, where the passions of our scientific communities are cultivated, inspired, and transferred to the next generations of young people, including our future employees, customers, and global community networks.

Qorvo Innovator Award – 1st Place

Qorvo Innovator Award – 2nd Place

ROBO047 — Extraterrestrial Exploration Hexapod With Tactile AI-Based Gait Adjustment

• Haodong Wei, Cranbrook Kingswood School, Troy, MI, United States of America

Qorvo Innovator Award – 3rd Place

EBED019 — MagGrid: Non-Levitative Electromagnet Robot Propulsion Method for 2-D Material Handling

• Shangqiu Li, Camas High School, Camas, WA, United States of America

Ricoh USA, Inc

Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services that enable individuals to work smarter from anywhere. With cultivated knowledge and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 86-years history, Ricoh is a leading provider of digital services and information management, and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation and optimize business performance. Ricoh has a long-standing environmental mission and commitment to sustainability, bringing corporate, social and environmental responsibilities into balance.

Ricoh Sustainable Development Award of $10,000

EGSD018 — SkyWindFarm: Harnessing High Altitude Wind Power in Scalable Manner

• Yash Dagade, Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Serving Society Through Science

Serving Society Through Science (SSTS) is dedicated to recognizing talented individuals who seek to serve humanity. SSTS awards creative, outstanding projects that have the potential to improve the lives of people or represent a dramatic scientific advancement.

First Award of $1000

BMED037 — Recasting an Anti-Psychotic as a Prevention for Multiple Arthritides: Discovery of a Novel Receptor and Mechanism of Action

• Vidya Ambati, Albemarle High School, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

MATH021 — The Perforation of p-adics: Closing a Gap in Hensel’s Lemma Through the Convergence Inequality

• Imaad Uzun, New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, NY, United States of America

EGSD030 — A Self-Adjusting Resonating Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Collector Based on a Cantilever Structure

• Jiayang Wang, Menaul School, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

ENBM056 — Investigating the Effects of Hemarthrosis on the Structure and Function of ACL Repair

• Kento Luke Hong, Edgemont High School, Scarsdale, NY, United States of America

ENEV042 — A Novel Shade Dome to Reduce Water Evaporation in the Great Salt Lake

• Christina Zhang, InTech Collegiate High School, North Logan, UT, United States of America

PHYS049 — Discovery of Two Potentially Habitable Super-Earths! StealthPlanetFinder: Innovative & Computationally Efficient Algorithms to Detect Exoplanets Overcoming Low Signal-to-Noise Ratio

• Khedaar Kashyap, Leland High School, San Jose, CA, United States of America

ROBO038 — Design of a Low-Cost, Low Inertia, Backdrivable Upper-Body Humanoid

• Jilly Abraham Choi, duPont Manual High School, Louisville, KY, United States of America

TMED048 — Analyzing the Effects of Altretamine Chemotherapy Drug on Drosophila melanogaster Ocular Melanoma Models

• Diya Ghosh, Academies of Loudoun, Leesburg, VA, United States of America

Shanghai Youth Science Education Society

Shanghai Youth Science Education Society (SYSES) is committed to popularizing and disseminating science and technology to young people and the public. As a leading STEM education organization which has a long history, SYSES works with hundreds of researchers and industry experts in STEM field, providing high-quality online and on-site STEM education resources and training programs. Awards are given to recognize outstanding projects in all disciplines.

ENBM011 — STEPs Ahead: Self-Powered Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Dynamic Multidirectional Pressure Sensing

• Jiaqi Wu, NUS High School of Mathematics & Science, Singapore, Singapore

ENEV002T — Autonomous Ecosystem Surveillance Vehicle: An Autonomous Aquatic Environmental Patrol Boat Aimed at Reducing Current Capability Gaps in Aquatic Bio-Security Sector by Realtime Data Transmission

• Chit Bryan Lao , Pui Ching Middle School, Macau, China, Macao Special Administrative Region
• Pok Man Han, Pui Ching Middle School, Macau SAR, China, Macao Special Administrative Region
• Wang Hei Lei, Pui Ching Middle School, Macau, China, Macao Special Administrative Region

PHYS057 — A Novel Hadronization Model Explaining Charm-Quark Hadronization in Different Collision Systems Through Yet-Unobserved Excited States and Cluster Volume Dependence

• Shuhan Luo, Worcester Academy, Worcester, MA, United States of America

ROBO032 — Tremor-Adaptive Assistive Dining Solution: A Robotic Arm Integrating Computer Vision and Active Stabilization for Enhanced Autonomy

• Tianhao Shao, Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School, Shanghai, China

TECA004T — Revolutionizing Language Learning With Connexelerator: An AI-Powered Approach

• Ethan Snow, Liberty High School, Hillsboro, OR, United States of America
• Jared Lim, Liberty High School, Hillsboro, OR, United States of America

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi is the international honor society of research scientists and engineers, with a distinguished history of service to science and society. This multi-disciplinary society includes members who were elected based on their research achievements or potential, and historically, more than 200 members have won the Nobel Prize. The Society is pleased to offer awards for the best demonstration of interdisciplinary research.

First Life Science Award of $1,200

ANIM027T — Identifying New Sponge Species From Qatar Marine Environment Using Molecular Techniques

• Alanood Ali Aljalahma, Qatar Technical School For Girls, Doha, Qatar
• Fajer Saif Albloshi, Qatar Technical School For Girls, Doha, Umm Qarn, Qatar

Second Life Science Award of $800

ANIM023T — Reducing Carbon Footprint and Producing Biofuel From Waste Degradation and Conversion by Black Solider Fly

• Naphudon Sriratana, Bangkok Christian College, Bangkok, -, Thailand
• Paponphat Viroonvaiwut , Bangkok Christian College, Bangkok , Bangkok , Thailand

First Physical Science Award of $1,200

MATS048T — Enhancing Tea-Waste Based Biopolymer Nanocomposite Performance Through a Biomimetic Cuticular Hydrocarbon Coating: A Sustainable Packaging Alternative

• Amal Fayad, Arizona College Prep High School, Gilbert, AZ, United States of America
• Siyaa Poddar, Arizona College Prep High School, Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Second Physical Science Award of $800

ENEV069T — Eco-Friendly Fabric: Use of Algae and Seagrass in Paper Production

• Martin A. I. Stella Nieves, Colegio Bautista de Caguas, Caguas, Puerto Rico
• Patrick Noah Pena, Colegio Bautista de Caguas, Caguas, Puerto Rico

First Award Behavioral and Social Science Award of $1,200

BEHA028T — The RIGHT Model: A Novel Personal Development Tool for Adolescents

• Jia Hui Keng, Heng Ee High School , Penang , Georgetown , Malaysia
• Sher Meng Neoh, Heng Ee High School , Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
• Wan Yunn Ng, Heng Ee High School , Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Second Behavioral and Social Science Award of $800

The University of Texas at Dallas

As one of the nation’s fasting growing research public universities, The University of Texas at Dallas is a Carnegie R1 doctoral classification university of very high research activity established by the founders of Texas Instruments. With nearly 31,000 students from over 100 different countries, UT Dallas offers top-ranked programs in the arts and sciences, engineering and management with a commitment to graduating well-rounded members of the global community whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world.

Scholarship awards of $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years

BEHA019 — Illuminating Minds: Shining a Light on Atypical Dyslexia Therapies

• Madilyn Ann Dickinson, St. Patrick Catholic High School, Gulfport, MS, United States of America

BEHA024 — Using Bidirectional Transformer Neural Networks for Advancing Gender Bias Recognition in STEM Job Advertisements

• Nina Van Zandweghe, Solon High School, Solon, OH, United States of America

CBIO010 — Using Machine Learning to Detect Sequential Patterns in the Temporal Ordering of Dynamic States as Candidate Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease

• Yahya Younus, Little Rock Central High School, Little Rock, AR, United States of America

CBIO016 — Combating the Drug Epidemic: A Machine-Learning Framework to Predict Novel Drug-Drug Interaction Risks of Illicit Drug Abuse

• Dean Wang, Century High School, Rochester, MN, United States of America

CBIO043 — Elucidating RSV-Host Protein-Protein Interactions: Novel implementation of Graph Attention Networks (GAT) and Structural Visualization

• Aditya Lakshminarasimhan, BASIS Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

CELL036 — Tinted Truths: Revealing the Relationship Between Tartrazine and the Dysregulation of Retrotransposons and p53 Expression in Drosophila melanogaster

• Manya Gummaraju, Plano East Senior High School, Plano, TX, United States of America

CHEM052 — Analyzing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Through Atomistic Simulations

• Akilan Sankaran, Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

EBED014 — SkyCatcher: An Annular-Structured UAV for Enhanced Grasping and Delivery Solutions

• Zijun Xu, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin, TX, United States of America

ENBM017 — GlaucoScreen: A Novel Deep Learning-Based System for Glaucoma Detection and Progression Monitoring

• Siddhartha Reddy Milkuri, Bentonville High School, Bentonville, AR, United States of America

MATS017 — Colorimetric Smart Packaging System: A Carbohydrate-Based Plastic Alternative for Detecting Food Spoilage

• Cuauhtemoc Zamora, Veterans Memorial High School, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America

MCRO018 — Bioinspired Materials to Reduce Infective Endocarditis in Artificial Heart Valves

• Megan Alexandria Whitt, Wilsonville High School, Wilsonville, OR, United States of America

PHYS011 — Investigating the Use of Parallel Computing With Quantum Computers

• Jesse Daniel Miller, College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

PHYS014 — Reinforcement Learning Based Kinematic Controller and Proportional-Integrative-Derivative Based Dynamic Controller for Soft Robots

• Anirudh Mazumder, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Euless, TX, United States of America

ROBO013 — GaitGuardian: Real-Time Freezing of Gait Prediction and Progression Analysis for Parkinson’s Disease

• Viren Rayappa Bankapur, Independence High School, Frisco, TX, United States of America

TMED007 — Utilizing Indocyanine Green and Sodium Alginate With Microsphere Drug Delivery and Infrared Imaging: A Model to Create More Accessible Therapeutic and Diagnostic Tools for Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

• Rashmi Rani Basu, Keystone School, San Antonio, TX, United States of America

TMED012 — Selection and Preclinical Testing of DNA Aptamers as Targeted Tau Therapies: A Novel Approach to Slow the Progression of Tauopathies

• Maya Reddy, Leander High School, Leander, TX, United States of America

TUBITAK The Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Türkiye

TÜBİTAK is the leading agency for funding and conduct of research in Türkiye. TÜBİTAK is responsible for promoting, developing, organizing, conducting, coordinating research and development in line with national targets and priorities. TÜBİTAK not only supports innovation, academic and industrial R&D studies but also develops scientific and technological policies and manages R&D institutes, carrying on research, technology and development studies. TÜBİTAK will distribute 5 cash awards to the best projects, each of which is in the amount of $1,000 in ISEF 2024.

1st Prize Award

BMED038 — A Novel Enhancement of Statinsâ Solubility with Hydroxypropyl BETA-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex via Molecular Dynamics and in vitro Validation

• Elyas Khan, Dar AlFikr Schools, Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

CELL018T — Modeling the Possible Connection Between the Variation of Homozygous Birc6 Gene and the Premature Ovarian Insufficiency on Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

• Deren Zehra Unuvar, Izmir Ozel Ege Lisesi, Izmir, Kemalpasa, Turkey
• Zeren Ovul, Izmir Ozel Ege Lisesi, Izmir, Karsiyaka, Turkey

EGSD016 — Improving Aerodynamic Characteristics of Helical Wind Turbines With Modified Blades

• Anne Marie Bobes, Markgraf-Albrecht-Gymnasium Osterburg, Seehausen, Germany

U.S. Agency for International Development

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the government agency that helps people create better futures for themselves – no matter what country they live in. USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance. USAID is leveraging the promise of innovation, technology and research to bring about positive change and solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

USAID Science for Development First Award – Global Health and Nutrition

ROBO036T — SCOMAE: Diagnosing Tuberculosis From Cough Acoustics Using Supervised COntrastive Masked AutoEncoders

• Faisal Isam Nabulsi, Acalanes High School, Walnut Creek, CA, United States of America
• Michael Xu, The Taft School, East Brunswick, NJ, United States of America

Second Award Global Health and Nutrition

MATS042T — Alternative Organic Sanitary Pads From Plant Fibers Enhanced with Gooseberry Extract Coating

• Siriarpha Panturaporn, Montfort College, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Siripapha Panturaporn, Montfort College, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai , Thailand

Third Award Global Health and Nutrition

USAID Science for Development First Award – Education and Youth

Second Award Education and Youth

BEHA032 — Prevention of Gun Violence Through the Buffering Effects of Intellectual Humility in Traumatized Psychopaths

• Maya Shah, Martin STEM School, Arlington, TX, United States of America

Third Award Education and Youth

BEHA054 — A Review of the Use and Promotability of Mental Health Apps by Teenagers

• Nira Goyal, Martin County High School, Palm City, FL, United States of America

USAID Science for Development First Award – Climate and Environmental Protection

ENEV036 — A New Cost-effective Adsorbent Device for Civic Remediation to Reduce Lead, Copper and Cadmium in Surface Water Runoff

• Kshemaahna Nagi, Vidyashilp Academy, Bengaluru, India

Second Award Climate and Environmental Protection

ENEV011 — A Low Cost and High Performance Xylem-Activated Carbon Filter Water Purification Device: A Novel Approach to the Global Clean Water Crises

• Ruvarashe Moyo, USAP Community School, Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe

Third Award Climate and Environmental Protection

ENEV004T — Leveraging Electrochemistry and Light Scattering to Improve Air Quality Detection

• Haaris Masood, Scarsdale International School, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
• Haon Kim, Scarsdale International School, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

USAID Science for Development First Award – Working in Crisis and Conflict

Second Award Working in Crisis and Conflict

EBED006T — A Mesh Network-Integrated Multi-Robot Team With Electronic Nose for Human Detection Under Rubble in Post-Disaster Scenarios

• Burak Eren Demir, Ataturk High School of Science, Yalova, Turkey
• Muhammet Basar Ozcan, Ataturk High School of Science, Manisa, Turkey
• Salih Celik, Ataturk High School of Science, Afyonkarahisar, City Centre, Turkey

Third Award Working in Crisis and Conflict

United States Environmental Protection Agency

From nanomaterials a billionth of a meter in size to global climate dynamics, EPA scientists and engineers are investigating every scale of our environment and the links between environment and human health. EPA conducts research that addresses the highest priority science needs of the nation. The work performed by EPA scientists, engineers and their research partners improves the quality of the air we breathe, the water that sustains us, and the land upon which we live.

The Patrick Hurd Sustainability Award covers travel for the ISEF finalist to attend and participate in EPA’s National Sustainable Design Expo

EAEV065 — Spectroscopic and Colorimetric Analysis of Textiles Dyed With Local Invasive Plant Species and Waste-Derived Mordants

• Lucia Marie Lammers, Harrison High School, Harrison , NY, United States of America

ENEV039 — From Trash to Treasure: Fighting Desertification With Sustainable Soil Amending Hydrogels Synthesized From Food Waste

• Sarah Rumei Gao, Canyon Crest Academy, San Diego, CA, United States of America

University of Arizona

Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state’s land-grant university. Recognized as a global leader, Arizona is also a leader in research, bringing more than $622 million in research investment each year, and ranking 21st among all public universities. Arizona offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 16 academic colleges. Arizona will award scholarships to outstanding awardees who have demonstrated robust research for the greater good of society.

Renewal Tuition Scholarship

ANIM024 — Analysis of Equine Gut Microbiota by Living Environment

• Lauren Tittel, Oregon Episcopal School, Sherwood, OR, United States of America

ANIM041T — Investigating the Apoptotic Induction Potential of Various Chemical Food Preservatives on Caenorhabditis elegans

• Jishnu Nayak, Arizona College Prep High School, Gilbert, AZ, United States of America
• Ohm Patel, Arizona College Prep High School, Chandler, AZ, United States of America

BMED029 — Unraveling the Achilles’ Heel of Human Tumors: Moving Towards Inducing Mutational Meltdown by Deciphering the Most Deleterious Mutational Processes

• Auhona Hia Shil, University High School, Tucson, AZ, United States of America

BMED077 — FungiBug: Detection of Fungal Infection via a Rapid, Accurate, Handheld Small Blood Volume Diagnostic Device and Color Analysis

• Rishabh Sreepathy, ASU SCENE, Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

BMED090 — Development of a Cathepsin B-Responsive Hydrogel for the Targeted Delivery of Cancer Immunotherapy

• Noah Russell Kaleekal, Irvington High School, Fremont, CA, United States of America

CBIO012 — A-BiRD: Automated Bird Recognition Device – Revolutionizing Ornithological Research for Global Bird Conservation

• Finnegan Liam McGill, Tanque Verde High School, Tucson, AZ, United States of America

CELL027 — The Function of p53 in Intestinal Epithelium Wound Healing

• Sohini Mallick, University High School, Tucson, AZ, United States of America

CELL043 — Dissecting Glioblastoma: CRISPR Knockout of Hif-1ALPHA Disrupts Downstream Targets

• Neve Eliza Bawden, Bountiful High School, Bountiful, UT, United States of America

EAEV031 — Ferrofluid Extraction of Microplastics

• Juliannah Gavin, Veritas Christian Community School, Sierra Vista , AZ, United States of America

EAEV086 — Aquatic Toxicity of Sunscreen Ingredients in Freshwater Ecosystems

• Mallika Joy Sinha, BASIS Peoria, Peoria, AZ, United States of America

ENBM067 — A Rigid-Elastic Hybrid Finger Exoskeleton Rehabilitation System (FERS) for Stroke Patients With Motor Impairment

• Brad Wu, Arizona College Prep High School, Chandler, AZ, United States of America

PHYS054 — Beyond the Star: A Data-Driven Approach to Exoplanet Classification

• Prithika Chauhan, Hamilton High School, Gilbert, AZ, United States of America

PLNT058 — A Prickly Project: Extracting and Quantifying Oxalate Concentrations in Opuntia engelmannii

• Ella Walsh, University High School, Tucson, AZ, United States of America

SOFT045T — Mouseless Mouse: Enhancing Digital Interaction for Individuals With Limited Hand Mobility via Amplify and Smooth Extracted Data From Head Movement Using Real-Time Facial Tracking and Deep Learning

• Mohamed Hemdan Hemdan, Obour STEM School, Giza, Egypt
• Mohamed Maher Abdalla, Obour STEM School, Cairo, Egypt

Westlake University

Established in 2018, Westlake University is a leading research university with a strong emphasis on fundamental scientific research and cutting-edge technological innovation in Hangzhou, China. Our university is making pioneering research breakthroughs and advancing the frontiers of knowledge by inspiring the next generation of leaders in science and engineering from diverse cultures through world-class research, international collaboration, and academic programs taught in English.

Westlake University is awarding Pre-college Summer Program Scholarships, covering the program fee, lodging, food, insurance, round-trip international airfare, and excursions in Hangzhou & Shanghai this summer, to two finalists. Outstanding students will be given priority with full scholarships for undergraduate admissions, applicable to any major, at Westlake University.

YM American Academy

YM American Academy (YMAA) is a leading education consulting organization, dedicated to help US and Chinese students apply to US universities, graduate schools and high schools. We are focusing on the student’s life growth through our comprehensive service and guidance. YM American Academy (YMAA) is pleased to award outstanding projects that display outstanding creativity, ingenuity in science and engineering, focusing on all areas in chemistry sciences.

CHEM064 — Unveiling New Horizons in 2D Materials: Computational Discovery of a Metallic Boron Nitride Monolayer

• Jerry Chen, Saint John’s School, Carolina, Puerto Rico

Second Award of $1000

CHEM025T — B.O.P.I : Black Pepper, Oregano and Pineapple Peel Insecticide as an Novel, Cost-Effective and Eco-friendly Fumigant to Eradicate Sitophilus oryzae

• Khai Chin Ong, Chung Ling High School Penang, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
• Shun Zhan Na, Chung Ling High School Penang, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Third Award of $500.00

CHEM049 — Quantifying Live Cell Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Condensates

• Lilian Gan, University High School, Irvine, CA, United States of America