International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

Yufei Chen 2023 USABO National Gold Medalist and 2023 IBO Gold Medalist, First Place

Since my initial encounter with USABO as a freshman, it has been a transformative journey of exploration into the depths of biology. The rigorous stages, from Open exams to Finals, stretched my understanding and nurtured my critical thinking. This year, the privilege to participate in the International Biology Olympiad added a unique dimension to my experience. Engaging with fellow biology enthusiasts from around the globe enriched my perspective on biology's universal significance. I'm honored to be part of the 2023 USA Biolympiad Team and I extend my gratitude to my family, teachers, mentors, fellow participants, and the CEE for their steadfast support. USABO has not just fostered my intellectual curiosity, but also connected me with a global community unified by a shared love for biology.

Damon Gurvich 2023 USABO National Gold Medalist and 2023 IBO SIlver Medalist

In my two-year experience with USABO, it has made me prioritize the learning of biology and better realize its intricacies.  The relative difficulty of questions on the exams when I went into the competition freshman year set a high standard for what needed to be learned. Reviewing my existing notes with the level of rigor necessitated by my experience with the tests exposed a side of biology which I had never seen in my previous surface level forays into the subject.  Thus despite putting in more work into learning biology than I ever had before, It was a much more enjoyable process thanks to the expanded depth of my reading which studying for USABO demanded.

Kaiden Wu 2023 USABO National Gold Medalist and 2023 IBO Gold Medalist

When I first took the Open exam in freshman year, I was blown away. Not just blown away by the difficulty, but primarily by how much more there was to understand about biology. Time and time again, my journey with USABO has proven to me that the boundaries of the biological world are almost limitless. None of my growth in biology olympiad could have been achieved without the students and mentors I have met along the way. The many conversations and discussions surrounding biology have gone a long way in fostering my love for and understanding of biology, and have left a far greater impact on me than any textbook or exam could. 

Richard Zhu 2023 USABO National Gold Medalist and 2023 IBO Silver Medalist

The USA Biolympiad (USABO) has been a source of inspiration. It challenged me and drives me to learn even more. Whether it be new understandings or technologies, the sparks of excitement for biology that USABO has lit within my passion to better human life will forever remain. It was not always this way. The initial grind as an underclassman to understand the basics was monotone. Yet, the USABO has proved every moment to be worth my time. The USABO National Finals brought out the unfathomable. It felt as if nothing could be more important than delving into delightful applications of biology in everyday lives with my newfound peers. I began to realize just how compelling biological understanding is — with a side of collaboration and innovation. I researched endonucleases, discussed biology with and helped aspiring biologists out online, and I stopped mindlessly studying and began making lifelong friends whom I will keep close. Going forward, USABO has also taught me that my journey will never end. There is always more. I hope everyone has the chance to prove that themselves, whether it be through the USABO or not. For me, the USABO has been a blessing; I am honored to have attended the International Biology Olympiad as part of Team USA, and I cannot thank my mentors, parents, friends, and acquaintances enough for making all this possible.