Brendan Crotty of Muskogee, Oklahoma, an incoming freshman student at Missouri University of Science and Technology, has earned third place in the 79th Regeneron Science Talent Search – a science and mathematics competition for high school seniors.

By earning third place, Crotty received a $150,000 award. Forty finalists, including Crotty, were honored during a virtual award ceremony. Regeneron awarded more than $1.8 million to the finalists, who were evaluated based on the scientific rigor of their projects, their problem-solving abilities and their potential to become scientific leaders.

Crotty’s project involved designing and building an efficient hybrid gas burner that could help reduce the ecological impact of industries like power generation and materials manufacturing. His specialized burner system operates at higher temperatures than current industrial burners yet emits 19% less polluting nitrogen dioxide gas. To build his model, Crotty had to become proficient in computer design software, metal casting and machining.

“Engineering and manufacturing has always been a passion of mine,” says Crotty. “Over the last five years, I have studied combustion and burner systems for ultra-high temperature materials processing. The main goal of my research is the reduction of pollution.”

The Regeneron Science Talent Search provides a national stage for young minds to present their original research ideas to leading scientists. The competition celebrates the hard work and creativity of students who are using research to spark conversation. The competition is sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and is a Society for Science & the Public program. The competition has been held since 1942 and program alumni include recipients of 11 National Medals of Science, five Breakthrough Prizes, 21 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, two Fields Medals and 13 Nobel Prizes.

For more information about the talent search, visit www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts.

About Missouri University of Science and Technology

Founded in 1870 as the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 8,000 students and part of the four-campus University of Missouri System. Located in Rolla, Missouri, Missouri S&T offers 99 different degree programs in 40 areas of study, including engineering, the sciences, business and information technology, the humanities, and the liberal arts. Missouri S&T is known globally and is highly ranked for providing a high return on tuition investment, exceptional career opportunities for graduates, and an emphasis on applied, hands-on learning through student design teams and cooperative education and internship opportunities. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.