Amazing Thai Students Sweep 6 Awards at REGENERATION ISEF 2026 Prince Royal’s College Wins the First Place in Biomedical Engineering

Ministry Of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) by National Science Museum (NSM) and The Science Society of Thailand Under the Patronage of HM the King (SCISOC) supported 8 youth teams from Thailand to compete against youth teams from 60 countries, or  totaling approximately 18,00 students, in the REGENERON ISEF 2026 (Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, during May 9-15, 2026, held by Society for Science, at Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. In this competition, Prince Royal’s College, Chiang Mai won the first place with the project “An Automated Malaria Diagnostic System Using Artificial Intelligence and A Low-Cost Smart Microscope for Remote Areas” in Biomedical Engineering. The project presented innovation to detect all five major malaria strains, enabling rapid and accurate diagnosis, with friendly, portable, and significantly reducing testing time. The Thai youth teams also brought back a prestigious honour by winning a total of 6 awards, including 3 grand awards and 3 special awards, with a total value of US$12,300 (approx. 401,964 Thai Baht)

Prof. Dr.Supa Harnnongbua, President of SCISOC and executive board of NSM said “SCISOC collaborated NSM to send 8 Thai youth teams to participate in the REGENERON ISEF 2026. Their projects were selected from the 21st National Young Scientist Camp (TYSF21) held by SCISOC and Burapha University in association with Ministry of Education and MHESI. The Thai youth teams have successfully won awards with their outstanding science projects, bringing prestige to Thailand. This is considered a valuable experience that provides opportunities for young students to develop their skills and full potentials in science and technology. We hope that the knowledge gained from those research projects will be further transformed to benefits, and become our vital force in driving a sustainable scientific society in the future.”

Mr.Suwarong Wongsiri, Acting President of NSM said “The success of the Thai youth teams at the REGENERON ISEF 2026 can reflect their potential in science, technology and innovation on the international stage. It is also a result of the collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, and academia networks in truly developing and nurturing young people. Up to now, NSM has attempted to promote creative science learning and continuously support platforms for young people to showcase their potential internationally. This success not only brings prestige to the country, but also inspires other Thai youth to take greater interest in science, which will be a crucial foundation for the country’s future development.”

The awards of REGENERON ISEF 2026 received by the Thai teams include:

The Grand Award (1st place) along with a cash prize of US$ 6,000 was awarded to Prince Royal’s College, Chiang Mai, for their Biomedical Engineering project called “An Automated Malaria Diagnostic System Using Artificial Intelligence and A Low-Cost Smart Microscope for Remote Areas”. The project was developed by Nattapong Thaworn, Natdanai Suksi, and Phumjai Pongsriwat, with Ms.Rungkan Wangboon, Mr.Kritipong Wachiraangkul and Dr.Khattiya Piyarangsi as advisors.

The 2nd Grand Award with a cash prize of US$2,400 were award to 2 winners: 
-Prince Royal’s College, Chiang Mai in Medical Science Transition, with “a Quantitative and Verifiable Cervical Cancer Screening System” project for comprehensive and accessible diagnosis. The project was conducted by Daichi Tanaka, Pongkun Fuchen, and Kao Thitichamoenporn with Ms.Rungkarn Wangboon, Mr.Kritipong Wachirangkul and Dr.Khattiya Piyarangsi as advisors.
-Bangkok Christian College, Bangkok in Animal Science with “An Innovative, Integrated Coral Reef Restoration Combined Molecular Repair with Artificial Reefs Monitored by Satellite Data”. The project was conducted by Sabphat Akarajirawat, Naphudol Srirattana, and Proadpran Janthammapitak, with Mr.Chanan Kiatsirisas and Ms.Suwanna Amporndanai as advisors. 

In addition, the Thai youth teams also won 3 special awards, namely:
- Bangkok Christian College, Bangkok received first place of the special award from King Abdulaziz & Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity. The foundation has supported Mawhiba, a full scholarship from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia. The project was “An innovative, Integrated coral Reef Restoration Combined Molecular Repair with Artificial Reefs Monitored by Satellite Data”. The project was conducted by Sabphat Akarajirawat, Naphudol Srirattana, and Proadpran Janthammapitak, with Mr.Chanan Kiatsirisas and Ms.Suwanna Amporndanai as advisors. 
-The second place of Special Award from Patent Trademark Office Society with cash US$ 500 went to Bangkok Christian College, Bangkok in “Developing Artificial Eggs Combined with An Automated System for Cultivating and Releasing Super Trichogramma to Improve Pest Control”. The project was developed by Ratchanat Termtheerakit, with Ms.Suwanna Amporndanai and Mr.Chanan Kiatsirisas as supervisors. 
- Prince Royal’s College, Chiang Mai received a Special Award from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye TUBITAK with US$ 1,000, and also received an Honorable Mention Award from The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) in “An Artificial Intelligence System for Screening and Assessing Pre-Hospital Stroke Emergencies Using Various Data Sources”. The project was developed by Phudis Wangthiyong, Punnawat Lertmalikaporn, and Chayathita Supathanapong, with Mr.Kritipong Wachirangkul as advisor. 
 

At the event, other Thai youth teams from the Young Scientist Competition (YSC) held by National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) also achieved three outstanding awards in the third place of Grand Award, one award of the fourth place, and one Special Award.  

The achievement of the Thai youth teams reflects the potentials and creativity of our younger generation in science and technology. It will be a significant inspiration for the Thai society to recognize the value of promoting and developing youth, especially in science and technology, so that they become our driving force for country development in the future. You may follow the news and join in the congratulations on our Facebook page: NSMTHAILAND.