Kian Dhawan, a student at Montgomery Blair High School, earned a gold medal at the 2025 USA Biolympiad National Finals held at Harvard University, placing him among the top four students who will represent the United States at the International Biology Olympiad in the Philippines. A returning silver medalist, Kian is deeply involved in science competitions and research and is currently conducting cancer biology research at the University of Maryland.
The USA Biolympiad (USABO), organized by the Center for Excellence in Education, is the nation’s premier biology competition for high school students, designed to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and laboratory skills while providing educators and students with extensive preparatory resources.
Per the
Center for Excellence in Education:
“Kian Dhawan, a student at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, earned a gold medal in the 2025 USA Biolympiad (USABO) National Finals at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, held from June 22 to July 4, 2025. Nearly 11,000 students from 741 schools, 47 states, and 36 international schools registered in the nationwide high school competition.
“CEE is proud of the USABO finalists who are future leaders in bio-based careers,” said Joann DiGennaro, President of CEE.
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. 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 is 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.
During the 10 days of the USABO National Finals, students participated in intensive theoretical and practical tutorials. The high school students studied with leading U.S. biologists in the fields of cellular & molecular biology, plant anatomy & physiology, animal anatomy & physiology, genetics & evolution, ecology, ethology, and biosystematics. The young scholars were mentored by Kathy Frame, USABO Director, and Logan McCarty, Associate Dean for Science Undergraduate Education, Harvard University. Kian and three other gold medalists from USABO’s National Finals will represent the United States at the 36th International Biology Olympiad (IBO), a worldwide competition involving student teams from over 80 countries. It will be hosted July 20-27, 2025, in Quezon City, Philippines.
“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 at the Center for Excellence in Education.”
