San Marino Unified School District is proud to share that SMHS Senior, Max Zhou, has qualified for the 2026 USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) National Finals, placing among the top 20 biology students in the nation.
As a finalist, Zhou will attend the prestigious USA Biolympiad National Finals hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from June 21 to July 2, 2026. The program includes advanced biology instruction, intensive laboratory training, and national-level testing designed to identify the four students who will represent the United States at the 37th International Biology Olympiad in Vilnius, Lithuania.
“These students are some of the highest achieving biology students in the USA,” said Joann DiGennaro, President of CEE. “CEE’s USA Biolympiad program encourages excellence in biology education and challenges students and their teachers to reach the gold standard in science.”
In addition to this achievement, in 2025, Zhou earned a Gold Medal at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad held in Dubai, placing 20th in the world among international competitors.
Zhou plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) following graduation.
San Marino congratulates Zhou on these exceptional accomplishments and looks forward to seeing the continued impact of this outstanding young scientist.