Gatton Academy Senior Won Award at Science Fair
The student received a cellular and molecular biology award at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Life Sciences
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Jiwoo Kim, a senior at the Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University, earned a grand award at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. The recognition, won in the cellular and molecular biology category, marked the third award Kim has secured at the competition.
Why it matters
The fair serves as a global platform for high-level student research, drawing more than 1,700 finalists from over 64 countries. Kim was one of five Kentucky students to earn grand awards, highlighting the state's involvement in international science competitions.
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair maintains a total prize pool of $7 million. Kim's project, titled The Effects of Isoflurane on Crayfish Synaptic Transmission, was selected among thousands of entries for this recognition.
The players
Jiwoo Kim
A senior at the Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University who conducts research in cellular and molecular biology.
Dr. Robin Cooper
A faculty mentor who provided research training and guidance for the synaptic transmission project.
Gatton Academy
A Kentucky-based specialized residential high school at Western Kentucky University focused on science and mathematics.
The details
Kim conducted research investigating the effects of isoflurane, an inhalable general anesthetic, on synaptic transmission in crayfish. Synaptic transmission is the process by which a neuron, a specialized nerve cell, sends a signal to another neuron or target cell across a gap called a synapse. Under the mentorship of Dr. Robin Cooper, the project explored how anesthetic exposure alters these fundamental nerve signals at the cellular level.
Timeline
Jiwoo Kim received a grand award at the fair in 2026.
The Tech Race
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair sets the primary benchmark for pre-collegiate scientific inquiry globally. Kim's success reflects a broader trend of Kentucky students increasingly competing in this international research landscape.
While the award highlights academic achievement in Bowling Green, it serves as a milestone for local students pursuing undergraduate and graduate-level scientific training. The research underscores the role of mentored projects in developing future expertise in cellular biology and anesthesiology.
The takeaway
The recognition of Kim's work on crayfish synaptic transmission illustrates the maturity of research conducted at the high school level under academic mentorship. Readers interested in the evolution of this research should watch for future publications from the Gatton Academy labs.
Further reading
For more on student research and advancements in the region, visit Life Sciences.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WNKY News 40 Television.
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