A new generation of STEM stars—tackling topics from sustainability and artificial intelligence to disease detection—has been named to the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge Top 300 .  Two Tulsa are students were announced as Junior Innovators.

Karis Shamhart, Madison Middle School

  • Project Title: Fireproof 3.0 Testing Synergistic Properties

Lishitha Kollati, Central Middle School

  • Project Title: Food Safe, Earth Safe!

The  Society for Science announced the Top 300 Junior Innovators in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC)—the nation’s premier science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition for middle school students. Chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 2,000 applicants, the Top 300 represent the best and brightest middle school STEM talent in the U.S. and its territories.

“These young innovators embody the most promising science and engineering talent in the nation,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News. “They are taking on complex challenges and demonstrating a passion for STEM that can lead to impactful change. I am thrilled to celebrate their achievements.”

The Thermo Fisher JIC, a program of Society for Science, inspires young scientists, engineers and innovators to solve the grand challenges of the future. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s sponsorship of the competition reflects its longstanding commitment to broadening access to STEM education. For decades, the company has invested in school-based STEM programs, and colleagues across the company volunteer thousands of hours each year to support education initiatives around the world.

2025 Top 300 Junior Innovators Fast Facts:

  • They come from 34 states and Puerto Rico
  • The states with the most Junior Innovators are California, Texas and Florida
  • Top project categories are Engineering; Energy & Sustainability; Environmental & Earth Sciences; and Medicine & Health Sciences
  • Combined, they speak 40 languages
  • Nearly two thirds of them attend public school
  • Research project topics include artificial intelligence, chronic diseases, waste reduction, bioplastics, space exploration and wildfires.