McLean, VA (May 17, 2018) – The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) announced the names of the 20 top high school students who will compete in the 16th Annual USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) National Finals.
“The mission of the USABO is to encourage excellence in biology education throughout the United States and to challenge students and their teachers to reach the gold standard in biology,” said Joann DiGennaro, President of CEE. “These students are some of the highest achieving biology students from this country,” she added.
Nearly 10,000 talented students from across the country registered for the USABO. Nearly 700 were selected as semi-finalists. The 20 finalists were selected following completion of a three-part, 2-hour exam in April. The 20 finalists will meet June 23 to July 5 at UC San Diego for 10 days of biology instruction inclusive of laboratory training and conceptual understanding followed by two days of testing.
“UC San Diego congratulates the USA Biology Olympiad finalists as we look forward with excitement to hosting them here soon on campus,” said Bill McGinnis, Dean of UC San Diego’s Division of Biological Sciences. “We wish them all the best and we are confident that UC San Diego’s stellar research laboratories and outstanding campus resources will provide them with an unforgettable experience during the USABO contest finals,” he added.
Ultimately, four students are competitively chosen to represent the USA at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) from July 15-22 in Tehran, Iran. USABO has earned the coveted #1 Team in the World in 2017, 2015, 2013, and 2011. Every member of Team USA has medaled at the IBO since first competing in 2003.
The USABO is jointly sponsored by CEE and UC San Diego for the first time ever. Program officials from CEE and UC San Diego are making final arrangements in preparation for the final stage of the premier national biology competition for U.S. high school students. “This is a wonderful opportunity for USABO scholars to be exposed to UC San Diego research and faculty,” said Xiaojun (Bill) Li, Ph.D., Vice President, CEE’s USABO.
USABO National Finalists:
| California Allen Huang, Canyon Crest Academy, CA Helen Yang, Northwood High School, CA Alexander Tsao, Troy High School, CA Charles Huang, Lynbrook High, CA |
| Michigan Jason Zhang, Troy High School, MI |
| Minnesota Lucy Chen, Mounds View High School, MN Kimberly Shen, Mounds View High School, MN |
| New Jersey Atharv Oak, West Windsor Plainsboro HS – South, NJ Jason Yang, West Windsor Plainsboro HS North, NJ Lucy Zou, East Brunswick High School, NJ |
| New York Jessica Woo, Kappa Academy, NY |
| Pennsylvania Bhav Jain, Franklin Regional SHS, PA |
| Tennessee Henry Shen, Oak Ridge High School, TN
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| Texas Edward Lee, LASA High School, TX Shree Mohan, Dulles High School, TX Nithin Parsan, Clements High School, TX |
| Virginia Derrick Liang, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, VA Sabrina Cai, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, VA Eugene Lee, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, VA Wenbo Wu, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, VA |
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Photo of Henry Shen courtesy of ORHS teacher Dr. Sharon Thomas
