Hikaru Kuribayashi, an 18-year-old student from Japan, won $100,000 at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and this was possible due to his love of origami and nature. He earned $100,000 George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award, the top honour at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), where he outperformed more than 1,700 high school students from countries around the world.