Sai Sri Valli Mogilineedi, an eighth-grade student from Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, has been selected among the top 30 middle school researchers in the United States.

Mogilineedi was named a national finalist in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, a major STEM competition organised by the Society for Science. The finalists were selected from 1,997 applicants across the US.

Her research project, titled “A Novel Controlled Release System for GERD Drugs Using Immobilization Techniques,” explores a way to release antacid medication gradually rather than all at once.

The project focuses on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus. Mogilineedi’s controlled-release approach aims to address the short duration of some conventional antacid treatments.

Her work previously received recognition at regional science competitions, including awards from the Penn State College of Medicine and the Love Award, according to competition records.

The 30 finalists will travel to Washington, DC, for Finals Week from October 23 to 28. They will participate in research evaluations and team-based STEM challenges.

Each finalist will receive a $500 award, while the competition offers more than $100,000 in educational awards overall. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on October 27.