Friday, Nov 01, 2024 • Katherine Egan Bennett : contact

The Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair (FWRSEF), held in partnership with The University of Texas at Arlington, is the oldest continually operating regional science fair in Texas. One of the reasons it has been so successful is the tireless organizational efforts of UT Arlington psychology Professor Yuan Bo Peng, who has served as director of the 73-year-old FWRSEF since 2012.

In recognition of his dedication to the science fair, Dr. Peng received the 2024 Individual Outstanding Community Service Award from the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the Chinese Institute of Engineers (CIE/USA-DFW).

“It is my honor and privilege to have this opportunity to serve our community, and I am extremely honored to receive the 2024 CIE/USA-DFW Individual Outstanding Community Service Award,” Peng said.

Established in 1951, FWRSEF serves students from 10 Texas counties (Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise) and is largest fair of its kind in North Texas. Sponsored by UT Arlington and held each February, the fair requires extensive preparation throughout the year, including creating the student application process, forming a science review committee, organizing the logistics for the event and securing volunteers to serve as judges for the projects presented by students in grades 6 through 12.

Under Peng’s leadership, participation in the fair from North Texas students has increased significantly. This year, more than 400 students participated, submitting a total of 306 projects. Prizes were awarded in 15 categories, with category and best of fair awards totaling more than $8,000.

This fair is one of only two regional fairs in Texas that does not charge a fee for schools or students to participate. The main reason the fair can afford this is due to extensive fundraising efforts by Peng and colleagues to cover part of the cost to operate the fair—including student awards and space and equipment rentals—and to sponsor seven entrees to continue on to the annual Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Last year, a Plano East High School student working in the lab of Junha Jeon, associate professor in chemistry and biochemistry at UTA, won multiple awards at ISEF.

Each year, the FWRESF also nominates around 50 high school projects and 50 middle school projects to proceed to compete in the Texas Science & Engineering Fair at Texas A&M University.

“This award for Dr. Peng is well-deserved and fitting recognition for his exemplary service to the UTA-Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair,” said Morteza Khaledi, dean of the UTA College of Science. “The fair is an excellent way for young students to showcase their talents in science and engineering, and it takes a tremendous amount of work to make it a success each year. Dr. Peng and his team have done a superb job of managing this event.”

A full professor at UTA since 2014, Peng’s research efforts focus on the central nervous system and understanding pain mechanisms.

-Greg Pederson, College of Science

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of approximately 41,000 students, UT Arlington is the second-largest institution in the UT System. UTA’s combination of outstanding academics and innovative research contributes to its designation as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution, a significant milestone of excellence. The University is designated as a Hispanic Serving-Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and has earned the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to accelerating Latino student success. The University ranks as the No. 1 national public university in the U.S. for veterans (Military Times, 2024), No. 4 in Texas for advancing social mobility (U.S. News & World Report, 2025), and No. 6 in the United States for its undergraduate ethnic diversity (U.S. News & World Report, 2025). UT Arlington’s approximately 270,000 alumni occupy leadership positions at many of the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas and contribute to the University’s $28.8 billion annual economic impact on Texas.