Kian Dhawan, a junior at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, is currently competing in the 2025 USA Biolympiad (USABO) National Finals at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from June 22 to July 4, 2025.
Kian is “fascinated by all things math and science and hopes to pursue a biochemistry career.” He is a 3-time AIME Qualifier and USA National Chemical Olympiad (USNCO) High Honors recipient. “CEE’s USA Biolympiad program encourages excellence in biology education and challenges students and their teachers to reach the gold standard in science,” said Joann DiGennaro, President of the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), which runs the USABO program.
Finalists will participate for ten days in high-level biology instruction inclusive of laboratory training and conceptual understanding followed by two days of testing. Ultimately, four students will earn the honor to represent the United States at the 36th International Biology Olympiad, a worldwide competition involving student teams from over 80 countries. It will be hosted July 20-27 in Quezon City, Philippines.
Last year Kian earned a silver medal at the USABO National Finals held at Marymount University on its Arlington, Virginia main campus from May 25-June 8, 2024. Kian will be conducting research in cancer biology this summer at the University of Maryland. Apart from studying biology, Kian enjoys playing piano, solving Rubik’s cubes of various sizes, playing chess, and competing in Science Bowl. His team placed 1st in the 2025 national championship. He would like to thank his parents, friends, and teachers for their never-ending support on his journey.
“This is an incredible journey USABO students take, and it demonstrates the passion these students have for biological sciences,” said Kathy Frame, director of the USA Biolympiad.