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Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest Winners

In 2022, NEI launched the Eye on the Future Teen Video Contest to hear what the next generation of scientists was up to. We asked teens to share their favorite science experiments, discuss impactful scientific discoveries, and showcase live science demonstrations. We received over 40 submissions from individual teens and groups and picked 2 winners!

In 2023, the contest had a different focus. We asked teens to create a short video in one of these categories:

  • Science in your world
  • Science in the field or lab
  • Science in your future

This time we received over 60 submissions — and we chose a winner in each category. Get to know these future scientists and how they’re making an impact in the world of science.

Meet our 2023 winners!

Thuy-Tien Tran: “Science in your world” winner

Thuy-Tien Tran is passionate about understanding vision science — and coming up with unique solutions to prevent blindness. Thuy-Tien’s video highlights creative ways to get people with vision problems the support they need!

Thuy-Tien Tran holding a pupilometer in an eye glasses store.

Celia Cooley: “Science in the field or lab” winner

Celia Cooley plays a hands-on role in protecting local streams! Celia’s video gives step-by-step instructions for tracking populations of aquatic insects and crustaceans to help monitor water quality.

Celia Cooley standing next to a stream in the woods. Celia is wearing waders and sunglasses and using tweezers to pick something small up from a table.

Mark Leschinsky: “Science in your future” winner

Mark invented a reusable, self-disinfecting hazmat suit to help keep health care workers safe! Mark’s video shows how the suit can protect health workers caring for people with diseases like Ebola or COVID-19.

Mark Leschinsky standing next to a mannequin in a white hazmat suit. Mark is holding a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Meet our 2022 winners!

Meenakshi Ambati

Meenakshi Ambati is a high school senior with an eye on the future of macular degeneration treatment! Her award-winning video shares an association between atrophic macular degeneration and the medicine fluoxetine, also known as Prozac.

Sanjana Kumar

Sanjana Kumar is a high school sophomore with a passion for keeping people safe on the road! Sanjana’s research uses human blink patterns (or eye aspect ratios) to identify when drivers are drowsy or distracted. She hopes to turn this research into a consumer-facing vehicle device to prevent accidents.

Last updated: June 8, 2023