The Economic Times

17-year-old Texas student Iris Shen wins $150,000 for testing potential cancer drugs in clams, in research that could open a new path for blood cancer drug discovery

17-year-old Texas student Iris Shen won $150,000 and third place at the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search for testing potential cancer drugs in clams. Her research found that one drug produced effects similar to those seen in human cells, while other drug combinations slowed tumor growth, suggesting clams could potentially serve as a new model for blood cancer drug discovery.