Mary Kay Empowers Young Women in STEM at Regeneron ISEF
At Mary Kay, inspiring young women and cultivating a love for STEM isn’t just a goal—it’s a movement. This spring, we proudly returned for our second consecutive year as a Special Awards Organization at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition, held in Columbus, Ohio.
The atmosphere at ISEF was electric. Each year, nearly 2,000 talented students from over 60 countries showcase projects with the potential to change the world. With more than $9 million in awards, scholarships, and opportunities to connect with industry leaders, ISEF serves as a launchpad for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
This year marked ISEF’s 75th anniversary, and Mary Kay proudly awarded ten grants totaling nearly $10,000 to high school students whose projects demonstrated exceptional creativity, impact, and potential. Their work spanned areas such as developing potential cancer therapies for women, designing sustainable packaging, and protecting vital natural resources.
We recently caught up with one of Mary Kay’s scholarship recipients, Carolina de Araujo Pereira da Silva from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to hear about her progress. Carolina returned this year to present her research on Salinomycin as a Molecular Trojan Horse for Targeting Mn-Induced Malignancy in Aggressive Tumors.
We were thrilled to check in with Carolina, a two-time Mary Kay scholarship recipient, to learn more about her journey over the past two years:
The atmosphere at ISEF was electric. Each year, nearly 2,000 talented students from over 60 countries showcase projects with the potential to change the world. With more than $9 million in awards, scholarships, and opportunities to connect with industry leaders, ISEF serves as a launchpad for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
This year marked ISEF’s 75th anniversary, and Mary Kay proudly awarded ten grants totaling nearly $10,000 to high school students whose projects demonstrated exceptional creativity, impact, and potential. Their work spanned areas such as developing potential cancer therapies for women, designing sustainable packaging, and protecting vital natural resources.
We recently caught up with one of Mary Kay’s scholarship recipients, Carolina de Araujo Pereira da Silva from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to hear about her progress. Carolina returned this year to present her research on Salinomycin as a Molecular Trojan Horse for Targeting Mn-Induced Malignancy in Aggressive Tumors.
We were thrilled to check in with Carolina, a two-time Mary Kay scholarship recipient, to learn more about her journey over the past two years:
- “As a girl from São João de Meriti, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, I never imagined I would present my research at such a prestigious international competition, let alone be recognized twice by Mary Kay. Receiving the Mary Kay Research Grant in 2024, among thousands of outstanding projects, was more than financial support—it confirmed that cutting-edge research is possible even in resource-limited settings. This award motivated me to continue my work immediately after returning from ISEF 2024.”
- “With the support from Mary Kay and the DCAT (Drug, Chemical, and Associated Technologies Association) award at ISEF 2024, I was able to enhance my research by purchasing a camera to document tumor cells in each experiment. This allowed me to create a more robust, complete, and reliable dataset, which was crucial for being selected to participate in ISEF again in 2025 and for receiving the Mary Kay Research Grant once more. Beyond helping me, this equipment benefits my entire research group, providing high-quality images for publications in international scientific journals.”
- “This year’s grant will also allow me to acquire additional equipment for my lab, giving back to the place that has supported my work. Looking ahead, I’m applying to universities in the United States to further pursue research opportunities during my undergraduate studies. The Mary Kay awards are helping me move closer to this dream, providing both resources and confidence to become a researcher who contributes to her community and advances cancer treatment to be more effective and less aggressive.”
At Mary Kay, we are proud to support such a talented, driven, and compassionate young scientist. We wish Carolina continued success in all her future endeavors.
Supporting students like Carolina is not only about recognizing their accomplishments—it’s about helping them advance. By championing young innovators, Mary Kay invests in a future where science and creativity intersect to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
When young people dream in STEM, they don’t just imagine a better future—they create it.
Did You Know
Mary Kay Inc. is empowering the next generation of women in STEM by awarding 40 grants totaling $195,000, helping young women worldwide pursue their dreams in STEM-related fields.
Supporting students like Carolina is not only about recognizing their accomplishments—it’s about helping them advance. By championing young innovators, Mary Kay invests in a future where science and creativity intersect to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
When young people dream in STEM, they don’t just imagine a better future—they create it.
Did You Know
Mary Kay Inc. is empowering the next generation of women in STEM by awarding 40 grants totaling $195,000, helping young women worldwide pursue their dreams in STEM-related fields.
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