NAVS is proud to spotlight Shaoxuan (Lily) Ma, a recipient of the 2026 NAVS Humane Science Award at Regeneron ISEF, whose innovative research demonstrates how human-relevant science can help advance our understanding of one of the world’s most devastating diseases.
A junior at Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, Florida, Lily is already conducting research at a level many students do not encounter until college. Her award-winning project explored the potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs)—tiny particles naturally released by cells that help regulate communication and repair throughout the body—as a possible therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease.
Rather than relying on animal models, Lily used patient-derived organoids grown from human cells, allowing her to study Alzheimer’s in a system that more closely reflects human biology.
Using Human Cells to Better Understand Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide and remains one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine.
Lily’s research focused on whether extracellular vesicles could reduce the inflammation and cellular stress that contribute to Alzheimer’s progression.
Using human-derived organoid models, she observed promising reductions in biological markers associated with Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation, and cellular stress, demonstrating the potential of human-relevant technologies to improve our understanding of neurodegenerative disease and support the development of future therapies.
Her work reflects a growing shift in biomedical research toward innovative methods that study human biology directly rather than relying on animal models that may not accurately predict human outcomes.
Inspired by the People Behind the Disease
For Lily, Alzheimer’s research is more than a scientific challenge.
It’s deeply personal.
“Every single family has felt it or knows someone who’s felt it,” she said.
That understanding motivated her to pursue research that could one day improve the lives of patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Growing as a Scientist
Lily’s research journey began shortly after eighth grade when she joined the laboratory of Dr. Yan Li, a biomedical engineering professor at the Florida State University-FAMU College of Engineering.
Although she entered the lab with little prior research experience, Dr. Li and her team provided the mentorship and encouragement that helped Lily develop into a confident young scientist.
Working alongside experienced researchers also introduced her to human-relevant technologies and reinforced an important lesson: scientific innovation and ethical responsibility can advance together.
A Future Built on Human-Relevant Science
Lily’s project exemplifies the mission of the NAVS Humane Science Award, which recognizes students developing innovative approaches that advance science while reducing reliance on animal models.
Her research demonstrates how organoids and other human-relevant technologies are opening new possibilities for studying complex diseases in ways that are more directly applicable to human health.
Looking ahead, Lily plans to continue her research while exploring a future that combines science and law, helping ensure that new discoveries are developed responsibly and made accessible to the people who need them most.
When asked what advice she would offer other students interested in humane science, Lily emphasized staying true to both your passions and your values.
“Do what you’re passionate about, but also make sure that what you’re doing isn’t harming others.”
Students like Lily demonstrate that the future of biomedical research is already taking shape. Through innovative, human-relevant approaches, the next generation of scientists is helping build a future where research is more predictive, more ethical, and better equipped to improve human health.
And she’s only getting started.
