This eighth-grader has developed antacid system designed to provide longer-lasting GERD relief, earning spot among US Top 30 young researchers competing for more than $100,000 in awards

An eighth-grade student from Pennsylvania has earned a place among the top 30 middle school researchers in the United States after developing a potential new method for delivering medicines used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Sai Sri Valli Mogilineedi, a student at Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, was named a national finalist in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge on September 16, 2026. The competition, organised by the non-profit Society for Science, is among the major US STEM competitions for middle school students.

Mogilineedi's project, titled "A Novel Controlled Release System for GERD Drugs Using Immobilization Techniques," explores how antacid medicines could be released gradually in the body. Her research aims to address the relatively short duration of some common heartburn treatments by developing a controlled-release approach that could allow the medicine to remain effective for longer.


She will travel to Washington, DC, from October 23 to 28 for Finals Week, where she will compete alongside the other finalists for more than $100,000 in educational awards. The Top 30 were chosen from 1,997 applicants nationwide.

How the student is trying to make GERD treatment last longer

GERD is a chronic digestive disorder in which stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the oesophagus, the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. Antacids available over the counter can provide relatively quick relief by reducing or neutralising stomach acid, but their effects may wear off within a short period, requiring patients to take additional doses.

Mogilineedi's research investigates whether immobilization techniques can be used to create a controlled-release system for antacid drugs. Instead of releasing the active ingredients all at once, the proposed method is designed to release them gradually over time.

Her project had already received recognition at regional science competitions before reaching the national stage. Records from the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair (CASEF) show that the research received awards including the Penn State College of Medicine Award and the Love Award during regional judging.

From science fairs to the national Top 30

Mogilineedi's journey to the national competition began at local science fairs. According to Society for Science, students must finish among the top 10% of participants at their local fairs to be eligible for nomination to the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.

From the nearly 2,000 students who entered the competition, scientists, engineers and educators initially selected 300 students as the Top 300 Junior Innovators in September. That group was subsequently narrowed down to 30 finalists representing 17 US states and Puerto Rico.

Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News, highlighted the finalists' focus on solving real-world problems.

"Every year, our Thermo Fisher JIC finalists remind us of what's possible when curiosity meets courage — even in middle school," Ajmera said. "This year's Top 30 are already using science to tackle problems that matter to their communities and the world. I'm proud to welcome these 30 remarkable young scientists and engineers to Washington, D.C., this October."

Finalists to compete in individual research and team challenges

During Finals Week in Washington, DC, the students will be assessed not only on their individual research but also through team-based STEM challenges. The organisers say these activities will test skills including critical thinking, communication and collaborative problem-solving.

Each of the 30 finalists will receive a $500 cash prize. Their schools and host institutions will also receive $1,000 each to support STEM activities. Mountain View Middle School is among the institutions receiving the award.

The final awards include the $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND Award, which recognises the student demonstrating the strongest overall skills across STEM disciplines. Other major awards include the $10,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement for outstanding health-related research, the $10,000 Broadcom Coding with Commitment Award and the $10,000 DoD STEM Talent Award.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2026.