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 remedy for traumatic brain injuries. They tested the application of a thyroid hormone named T3 on wax moth caterpillars. The final results indicated the hormone could advantage humans.

“Linden is a gifted young neuroscientist whose analysis into a prospective new remedy for traumatic brain injury could enable us enhance patient outcomes, and we quite substantially appear forward to getting 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 truly speaks volumes to the acceptance and inclusion that the Regeneron Science Talent Search perpetuates,” James mentioned. “I grew up in a loved ones with two moms in a neighborhood that wasn’t generally quite accepting. And so coming this far is truly empowering for me.”

“I’ve had mentors that truly inspired me to retain going and have truly shown me that I defined my self-worth, not any societal requirements, not any person else’s opinions of me,” they added. “Being capable to pass that on, by means of this system and by means of the folks I interact with and by means of the young queer scientists that may be hunting up to me now … that is truly wonderful.”

They strategy to attend college overseas and hope to operate in a field that combines science and public policy, possibly dealing with the atmosphere or assisting establishing nations. They are contemplating taking a year off right after higher college to operate with kids from marginalized communities. James presently is a counselor at a summer time camp, volunteers with Youngsters Voting Durham, and is a Spanish tutor.