Genes in Space Announces Five Finalist Teams for 2026 National Competition
Student Scientists Compete for the Opportunity to Launch Biotechnology Experiments to the International Space Station
May 26, 2026, Cambridge, MA – Genes in Space, the pioneering STEM competition that challenges students to design biotechnology experiments for space, today announced the five Finalist teams for its 2026 competition. This year was record-breaking for the national contest, with 980 submissions from over 1,300 students at 369 schools across the U.S.
Eight exceptional young scientists selected as Finalists now advance to the last stage of the competition, where they will present their proposed space biology experiment to a panel of judges tasked with selecting one project to be launched to the International Space Station in 2027.
Dr. Allison Nishitani, a Genes in Space judge, remarked, “This year’s Genes in Space submissions were especially competitive, and the five Finalist teams stood out for their remarkable scientific rigor, creativity, and communication skills. I look forward to meeting these impressive students when they present their space biology experiments for consideration to be launched to the International Space Station!”
2026 Genes in Space Finalists:
Ashwin Kirubakaran (15) from Edison Academy Magnet School in Edison, New Jersey.
Topic: Effects of microgravity on targeted cellular protein localization.
Nikhil Fernandes (17) from Lambert High School in Duluth, GA and Soneesh Kothagundla (18) from South Forsyth High School in Cumming, GA.
Topic: Encapsulation efficiency and structural stability of lipid nanoparticles in microgravity.
Brandon Choi (16) from Gwinnett School of Mathematics Science and Technology in Gwinnett, GA.
Topic: Plasmid retention and biomanufacturing potential of E.coli in response to space-induced stress.
Serena Tsao (16) and Chloe Comisarow (16) from Bronx High School of Science in Bronx, NY.
Topic: Stress-induced kidney stone risk due to microbiome dysregulation in astronauts.
Justin Zhao (19) and Jason Zhao (17) from Jericho High School in Jericho, NY.
Topic: Genomic instability due to space-induced R-loop accumulation.
The five Finalist teams will now refine their proposals with guidance from mentors in the field. They will present their final experimental designs to a panel of scientists, educators, and space experts at the Countdown to Discovery in Houston in July 2026.
About Genes in Space™
Genes in Space is a national STEM contest that challenges students in grades 7 through 12 to design biotechnology experiments using the ISS National Lab, a platform for cutting-edge research that enables future space exploration. The contest is a collaboration between miniPCR bio™ and The Boeing Company, with support from the ISS National Laboratory and New England Biolabs®.
Learn more at www.genesinspace.org.
Media contacts:
miniPCR bio: Kristin Hennessy-McDonald, genesinspace@minipcr.com, +1 (781) 990-8727
Boeing: Rosa Bañuelos, rosa.i.banuelos@boeing.com, +1 (321) 313-3134
