His groundbreaking method involves producing an antiviral drug more cheaply and quickly from corn husks. His innovation dramatically reduces the cost of Galidesivir—used to treat RNA viruses like Ebola, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2—from $75 to just $12 per gram and cuts production time from nine to five days.

Kovalčík, who described himself as "someone from a small village," received the $100,000 George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. His "bulletproof" presentation detailed a process that requires only 10 steps instead of the usual 15, utilizing furfuryl alcohol distilled from corn husks as a key starting molecule.

The young inventor has already filed a preliminary patent for his process and plans to refine it further with a research group in Slovakia. He also ambitiously plans to use his prize money to start a company creating eco-friendly perfumes from corn. Kovalčík's achievement highlights the potential for innovative solutions to global health challenges, even from unexpected sources.

Last Year’s Winner- 

^{_{Last year's top prize at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair went to 16-year-old Grace Sun. She won $75,000 for her discovery to optimize components of biomedical implants, aiming for safer, faster, and longer-lasting devices.}}

(Source: Summarized from reporting by Andy Corbley for Good News Network)