Greenhills senior named finalist in national science talent search

Greenhills senior Julian Wellman Tuesday became the only Michigan student named a finalist in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition. 

Wellman is one of 40 students chosen from around the country to continue competing for the more than $3 million that will be awarded this year. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the Society for Science & the Public conducted the competition; finalists were selected based on the scientific rigor and world-changing potential of their research projects. Wellman’s project is titled “Lower Bounds on Davenport-Schinzel Sequences via Rectangular Zarankiewicz Matrices.”

Wellman will join fellow finalists in Washington, D.C. from March 9-15 to undergo a rigorous judging process to determine the top 10 winners. The finalists will also have the opportunity to meet with national leaders and share their projects with the public at the National Geographic Society.

This year’s group is competing for more than $1.8 million in top awards – more than half of the Regeneron Science Talent Search total annual award distribution of $3.1 million. The top 10 awards range from $40,000 to $250,000 for the first-place winner. Winners will be announced at a formal awards gala at the National Building Museum on March 14.

“I know I speak for everyone on the faculty when I say we’re all extremely proud of Julian for his success in this highly competitive area,” said Head of School Carl Pelofsky. “Beyond even his high capacity for exceptional academic work, Julian is also an exemplary classmate who is widely liked and respected by his fellow students.”

That assessment was borne out Tuesday afternoon, when Wellman was literally carried into at least one math class on the shoulders of his cheering classmates.

The Society for Science & the Public has produced and organized the Science Talent Search since it was founded in 1942. Learn more.