Naperville North student participates in USA Biology Olympiad finals
The Center for Excellence in Education announced the Illinois high school biology scholars who are participating in the 17th annual USA Biology Olympiad National Finals. The competition is hosted by University of California San Diego on its campus.
"We look forward to hosting the USA Biology Olympiad finalists, and welcome the energy and drive that these stellar students bring to this national event and to campus," said Kit Pogliano, Dean of University of California San Diego's Division of Biological Sciences. "The biological research and teaching facilities at UC San Diego and our surrounding institutions provide an ideal location to host this program, and to prepare biology superstars from around the country for the international competition."
Eric Wang from Naperville North High School is among 20 finalists participating June 22 to July 6 at University of California San Diego for 10 days of biology instruction inclusive of laboratory training and conceptual understanding followed by two days of testing.
Ultimately, four students will be competitively chosen to represent the USA at the 30th Annual International Biology Olympiad in Szeged, Hungary July 14-21.
"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 in the USA," she added.
More than 10,000 talented students from across the country registered for the USA Biology Olympiad. Nearly 600 were selected as semifinalists.
The 20 National Finalists were selected following completion of a three-part, 2-hour exam in March.
"UC San Diego has world class research faculty and facilities. For high school USABO finalists to have the opportunity to experience this level of research excellence at a university is really a privilege," said Kakoli Mitra, Ph.D., J.D. Manager, USA Biology Olympiad.
The Center for Excellence in Education was founded in 1983 by the late Admiral H.G. Rickover and Joann P. DiGennaro, president of the Center. The center's mission is to nurture high school and university scholars to careers of excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and to encourage collaboration between and among leaders in the global community. CEE's programs include the Research Science Institute, the USA Biology Olympiad and the Teacher Enrichment Program. Visit www.cee.org.