High School Junior Chloe Lee Triumphs at Regeneron ISEF with Groundbreaking Research on Reducing Acetaminophen Toxicity

Plano Student’s Innovation Could Transform Future of Medicines

Young minds are curious and creative, often seeing possibilities where others see limitations. Chloe Lee, a high school student from Plano, is one such passionate young mind who worked in the lab of a chemistry professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and won several prizes for her study at the annual Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). 

For students in grades 9 through 12, Regeneron ISEF is the largest pre-college STEM competition in the world. Around 175,000 students participate in the 400 affiliated high school science fairs held worldwide each year on behalf of the society. Top performers are granted the opportunity to participate in 22 different categories at Regeneron ISEF, where over 1,600 finalists, half of which are young, female scientists are assessed.

Chloe Lee, a junior in Plano East Senior High School's International Baccalaureate program, conducted her research in associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry Junha Jeon's lab. Her study, "Chemical Modification of Acetaminophen to Decrease Liver Toxicity," aimed to lessen the acetaminophen's toxicity, which is a widespread analgesic and a major contributor to liver transplants worldwide.

At ISEF, Lee won a $1,000 third-place prize in the chemistry area, along with winning multiple Special Awards from different associations for professionals. She was awarded first place by the American Chemical Society, second place by the Patent and Trademark Office Society, and third place by the YM American Academy. The Society for Science, which organises ISEF, has been dedicated to improving scientific literacy, access to STEM education, and scientific research. "I chemically changed acetaminophen to make it less harmful to the liver without sacrificing its effectiveness," said Lee. "Winning multiple awards at ISEF is a great honour and very exciting. I feel as though my research has been recognized, which motivates me to keep going,” Lee enthusiastically mentions in one of her interviews. 

Lee first got to know Jeon at a National Science Foundation (NSF)-sponsored Sustainable Material Workshop last year. Along with instructors from Syracuse University, UT Rio Grande Valley, and the State University of New York–College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Jeon leads this program every summer with Ranny So, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UTA. With lectures, lab experiences, tours of university facilities, and workshop certificates, the program hopes to encourage students to pursue professions in STEM fields. Lee accepted Jeon's invitation to work in his lab after displaying interest in the field of organic synthesis research.

"I've loved every minute in the lab, and I was very fortunate to get this opportunity," she remarked. "Dr. Jeon is an amazing mentor who helped me during the study process to better understand important chemical mechanisms and instruments. He consistently pushed me to do more in-depth study. His resources helped direct me. I am incredibly appreciative of his mentoring,” Lee gleefully mentioned.

Graduate students Yao Chung (Jacky) Chang and Suman Das Adhikary also provided assistance to Lee. For a high school student, Chloe's research was quite difficult, but Jeon noted that she was particularly skilled at creating the target molecule, synthesising it, and doing computational docking simulations. "A breakthrough could result from her creative approach to the well-known but unresolved problem of Tylenol toxicity."

"My ultimate goal is to use my knowledge to help others, so I want to work in chemistry as a researcher and surgeon and change the world," says Lee. She wants to go to college to study chemistry and wants to use her findings to address issues across the world.

Editor’s Note:

The incredible accomplishment of 11-year-old Chloe Lee, who took home numerous awards from the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, is proof of the creative and unwavering potential of young people. Her ground-breaking study at the University of Texas in Arlington, which reduced the acetaminophen's hepatic toxicity, demonstrates how enthusiasm and persistence may result in important scientific breakthroughs.

Each year, about 1800 students from 75 different countries compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Festival (ISEF) and are awarded the Regeneron ISEF Finalist Medal. 314 Indian students have competed in ISEF since 1999 and have taken home more than 202 trophies and honours from ISEF. Skoobuzz congratulates Lee for her success which serves as an encouraging reminder that young brains can truly make a difference in the world.