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Teen develops new lab model for childhood arthritis
9 Sep
Summary
- Student developed a novel lab cell model for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
- She won seventh place and a $70,000 award in a prestigious science competition.
- Her research aims to improve treatment testing for children with JIA.
Claire Jiang, an 18-year-old student from Hackensack, New Jersey, has earned seventh place and a $70,000 award in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search for her groundbreaking work on juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Jiang developed a novel laboratory cell model that mimics JIA's effects on joint tissue. This model utilizes human cell lines treated with a protein linked to joint damage in children, replicating key cellular behaviors and gene activity seen in the disease.
Her research addresses a critical need in pediatric rheumatology for accessible, disease-specific models. Jiang's work, inspired by her own diagnosis at age nine, aims to empower researchers to more effectively test new medications and understand JIA at a cellular level.
Jiang's project was recognized among nearly 2,000 high school applicants nationwide. The Regeneron Science Talent Search is a highly respected competition that celebrates young scientific talent and innovation.
