| Media Contact: | Bill McIntyre, 703-448-9062 ext. 229 |
| Kim Mcdonald (858) 534-7572 |
Next Gen Biology Superstars Announced
20 US High School Students Selected for USA Biology Olympiad Finals
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 |
|
Michigan |
|
Minnesota |
|
New Jersey |
|
New York |
|
Pennsylvania |
|
Tennessee |
|
Texas |
|
Virginia |
| USABO Contact: | Bill Li, (703) 448-9062 ext. 231 |
About the Center for Excellence in Education
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 schooland 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 (RSI), the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO), and the Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP).
Related websites:
USA Biology Olympiad: http://www.cee.org/usa-biology-olympiad-usaboCenter for Excellence in Education: http://www.cee.org/
University of California San Diego, Division of Biological Sciences: http://biology.ucsd.edu/
International Biology Olympiad: http://ibo2018.org/