Iowa High Schooler Wins $500 in International Science Competition

An Iowa high schooler placed fourth in an international science competition in Dallas in May.

Jacob Hohl, an 18-year-old representing Central Lee High School in Donnellson, placed in the Earth and Environmental Science category at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF).

Hohl won $500 for his project about the effects of the denitrification process using bioreactors and crops like wheat, oats and rye. He was judged based on the creativity, innovation and level of scientific inquiry of his project.

Hohl plans to attend the University of Iowa to major in business.

Twelve other Iowa finalists competed, all chosen based on their STEM research at regional fairs or at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa.

“These exceptionally talented Regeneron ISEF finalists are some of the brightest minds from around the world and our greatest hope for addressing global challenges in the future,” said George Yancopoulos, co-founder of Regeneron. “Science is critical to the survival of our society, and these finalists have limitless potential to make a positive impact on the world. I congratulate them for their hard work and am eager to see what they achieve in their scientific journeys.”

Regeneron ISEF awarded nearly $9 million to finalists this year. The competition had more than 1,600 young scientists representing 49 states and 64 countries, regions and territories from all over the world. The competition has been around for over 70 years and is the world’s largest global science competition for high schoolers.

Nikoel Hytrek
6/9/23

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