Pennsylvania teen invents blood test to detect pancreatic cancer using magnetic nanoparticles

17-year-old Audrey Zheng from North Allegheny High School developed a blood-based test that uses antibody-coated magnetic nanospheres to capture tumor-derived extracellular vesicles and test their KRAS mutations; in clinical testing it identified 87% of pancreatic cancer cases and correctly ruled out 87.5% of non-cases, earning a 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search finalist spot and underscoring potential for earlier detection.