Making history at the Olympics of Science

Lara Hammoud and Maya Hammoud are incredibly honored to share a milestone that has meant so much to them throughout their journey in science, advocacy, and innovation.

This year, the twin sisters became the youngest speakers in the history of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), often referred to as the “Olympics” or “Nobel Prize” of high school science.

Each year, ISEF brings together approximately 1,700 of the world’s top young scientists, engineers, and innovators, with only a tiny fraction of students worldwide qualifying for the competition. For Lara and Maya, the experience has represented years of growth, learning, and dedication to using science to create meaningful change.

Their ISEF journey has included:

🏆 1st Place — Sophomore Year

🏆 3rd Place — Junior Year

🎤 Youngest Speakers in ISEF History — Senior Year

This year, they returned to ISEF to lead a symposium titled “Beyond the Spectrum: How Youth-Led Innovation is Rewiring Inclusive Design.” During the session, students explored and designed products intended to help prevent sensory overload and create more inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals.

The symposium reflected the broader mission behind The Perception Foundation, the organization Lara and Maya co-founded to advance neurodiversity awareness, sensory inclusion, and youth-led advocacy around the world. What began as a small effort to support a friend with autism has since grown into the world’s largest youth-led nonprofit focused on neurodiversity and mental health, reaching over 500,000 people across 34+ countries.

Lara and Maya are deeply grateful to Society for Science and the entire ISEF community for three unforgettable years filled with innovation, mentorship, and inspiration.

As they look ahead, they hope to continue using science, design, and advocacy to build a more inclusive future for communities everywhere.