Nonbinary higher college senior Linden James has won $90,000 in a national competitors for science and math students.

James, who attends the North Carolina College of Science and Mathematics in Durham, placed fifth in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, The News &amp Observerof Raleigh reports. There have been 40 finalists in the competitors, which is billed as the oldest and most prestigious science and math competitors for higher college seniors. The winners have been announced Tuesday.

In the project submitted for the contest, James looked at a prospective therapy for traumatic brain injuries. They tested the application of a thyroid hormone known as T3 on wax moth caterpillars. The benefits indicated the hormone could advantage humans.

“Linden is a gifted young neuroscientist whose analysis into a prospective new therapy for traumatic brain injury could assist us increase patient outcomes, and we really a lot appear forward to acquiring out what they’ll do subsequent,” mentioned a statement from Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of the Society for Science and executive publisher of Science News. The competitors is sponsored by the Society for Science and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

James mentioned their parents and teachers encouraged them in scientific pursuits. Their win is a victory for inclusion, they told The News &amp Observer.

“Being a nonbinary and queer finalist, this competitors definitely speaks volumes to the acceptance and inclusion that the Regeneron Science Talent Search perpetuates,” James mentioned. “I grew up in a family members with two moms in a neighborhood that wasn’t constantly really accepting. And so coming this far is definitely empowering for me.”

“I’ve had mentors that definitely inspired me to hold going and have definitely shown me that I defined my self-worth, not any societal requirements, not any individual else’s opinions of me,” they added. “Being in a position to pass that on, via this system and via the people today I interact with and via the young queer scientists that could possibly be seeking up to me now … that is definitely incredible.”

They strategy to attend college overseas and hope to function in a field that combines science and public policy, possibly dealing with the atmosphere or assisting establishing nations. They are thinking about taking a year off following higher college to function with kids from marginalized communities. James at present is a counselor at a summer season camp, volunteers with Little ones Voting Durham, and is a Spanish tutor.