Winners of ‘Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences’ competition announced

FRIB and Michigan State University (MSU) announced the winners of the “Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences” competition on 27 February. The competition invited pre-college students to highlight scientists and engineers who have excelled in or contributed to the fields of nuclear science, accelerator science, and accelerator engineering.

There were two categories based on grade level:

• Category one: Grades 5-8
• Category two: Grades 9-12

Students carried out research and used creative storytelling, including poetry, music, slideshows, and posters, to showcase their selected “Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences.” They then created an original video to present their submission. 

The winners and their videos are:

Category one: Grades 5-8

• First place: Jonathan Rodriguez Soloman (Amqui Global Communications Magnet K-8 School; Madison, Tennessee)
  •  Presentation on David Chavez
• Second place: Erin Abraham (Baker Middle School; Troy, Michigan) 
  • Presentation on Lise Meitner
• Third place: Jayden Bonner and Oliver Clay (Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies; Mobile, Alabama) 
  • Presentation on Leona Woods Libby (link not available)

Category two: Grades 9-12

• First place: Cole Hillegonds (Clinton High School; Clinton, Michigan) 
  • Presentation on Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
• Second place: Amaan Rahman (Classen SAS High School; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 
  • Presentation on Nicholas Christofilos
• Third place: Harper McCraw (Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies; Mobile, Alabama)
  • Presentation on Helen T. Edwards

“These students stood out for their creativity, thoughtful storytelling, and ability to communicate the importance of scientific achievement,” said Artemis Spyrou, professor of physics at FRIB and in MSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, and head of the FRIB Outreach department. “We congratulate all of them.”

The “Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences” competition is hosted by MSU and FRIB under the Student Training and Engagement Program for Undergraduates in Physics (STEP-UP). 

“The 2026 competition is dedicated to Chandra Oaks-Garcia, who was the main organizer of the Distinguished Trailblazers in the Sciences program,” said Spyrou. “Her vision, energy and spirit made this event possible.”

This year’s winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony on 16 March.

Michigan State University (MSU) operates the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) as a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), with financial support from and furthering the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics.