“Challenges are not barriers but opportunities for growth. By overcoming obstacles and staying determined, success becomes possible.
Selected Awards
Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar 2026
Recognized for outstanding original research and exceptional promise as a STEM leader.
2026
Office of the New York State Comptroller Achievement Award
Awarded for academic excellence, demonstrating leadership, and improving the community.
Regeneron Biomedical Science Award
Awarded for exceptional biomedical research and advancing scientific knowledge for the benefit of the community
2025
2026
Regeneron George Yancopoulos Award
Awarded for contributions toward understanding and improving human health outcomes.
2026
Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Awarded for outstanding research for water science project
2025
Top 5 and National Nominee in NY Capital Region Chemistry Olympiad
Achieved a top 5 placement in the NY Capital Region Chemistry Olympiad and competed in the National Chemistry Olympiad
2024
2nd Place at NY State and Northeast Regional Gymnastics Competitions
Won 2nd place in New York State Gymnastics Competition and 1st place in Northeast Regional Gymnastics Competition
2024
Festival of Nations 3rd Place
Earned 3rd place for exemplary cultural ambassadorship and cultural promotion in NY Capital Region
2024
Publications
Flora Wu. Maternal Exposure to Nitrate in Drinking Water and Risk of Cyanotic Congenital Heart Defects. Frontiers in Public Health. In print.
Flora Wu & Wan-Hsiang Hsu. Trends and Associated Maternal Risk Factors for Cyanotic Congenital Heart Defects from 2016 to 2022 in the United States. National High School Journal of Science. 2025.
Flora Wu & Wan-Hsiang Hsu. The impact of maternal risk factors and drinking water contaminants on cyanotic congenital heart defects. Journal of Student Research. 2025; 14(1).
Activities
President | Formosa Association of Student Cultural Ambassadors
Featured and interviewed by the largest U.S.-based Chinese news station
Organized and led cultural events, United Nations visits, and community services
Assisted volunteer projects for 200+ hours a year
2022 - Present
Peer Reviewer | Washington University Journal of Undergraduate Research
Analyzed over 26 million birth cases and 20+ drinking water contaminants in the United States to identify risk factors for birth defects.
Discovered nitrate contamination in drinking water is a risk factor for heart defects in Utah.
2026 - Present
2024 - Present
Northeast Gymnastics Team
Won top 2 places in New York State Gymnastics Competition for two times
Helped team to win 1st place in Northeast Regional Competitions
Mentored 8+ younger teammates weekly for three years
2019 - 2026
Independent Research
Analyzed over 26 million birth cases and 20+ drinking water contaminants in the United States to identify risk factors for birth defects.
Discovered nitrate contamination in drinking water is a risk factor for heart defects in Utah.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Engineering STEAMM Inventor's Studio
Led an interschool team to present a smart water bottle project to the Vice President of Research Operations at IBM to promote better hydration for children
2024
Vice President | Math League
Led team to win 1st place in Albany county, New York
Received three Top Scoring Individual awards
Increased membership by 80%
2023 - 2026
Taiwanese American Association (TAA)
Earned Taiwanese American Association Certificate of Appreciation
Supported events, gatherings, and community services for 11 years
2014 - 2026
Volunteer | St. Peter’s Hospital
Created and led a volunteer project at St. Peter’s hospital
Supported the health of patients by monitoring patients’ heart rhythms and telemetry data
2025 - 2026
Scholarships
Raymond F. Bentele Scholarship
Washington University in St. Louis Scholarship
Ten Eyck Group Scholarship
Presentations
2026 Guilderland High School Science Research Seminar Symposium
Presented research to school principal and administrators
2026 Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair
Won Regeneron George Yancopoulos Award
2025 Guilderland High School Science Research Seminar Symposium
Coordinated symposium and presented research to district superintendent and school administrators
2025 Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair
Won Regeneron Biomedical Science Award and Stockholm Junior Water Prize
UAlbany in the High School Science Research Symposium
Earned UAlbany in the High School Science Research Symposium Certificate of Achievement