WKU News

Varshith Kotagiri, a Class of 2025 graduate of The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, is competing in the 2025 USA Biolympiad (USABO) National Finals at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from June 22 to July 4, 2025.
 
“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 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.
 
Varshith is an incoming freshman at the University of Pennsylvania in the Life Sciences and Management dual degree program. He aims to combine business, biochemistry, and bioengineering in his future career. Beyond USABO, Varshith has qualified for USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad USAJMO) and International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), while also developing his business, TutoringOvertime. His research breakthrough came with the creation of the first organic fluorescent sensor fully soluble in aqueous environments, opening new possibilities for biomedical applications. Outside academics, Varshith works toward his 3rd-degree black belt in taekwondo, plays guitar, enjoys Lil Uzi Vert's music, and strives to reach grand champ rank in Rocket League.
 
“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.
 
About the Center for Excellence in Education
CEE, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, 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 school and university scholars to careers of excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and to encourage collaboration between and among scientific and technological leaders in the global community. CEE sponsors the Research Science Institute (RSI), USA Biolympiad (USABO), Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP), and STEM Lyceums. For more information, visit https://www.cee.org. 
 
About the USA Biolympiad
CEE’s USA Biolympiad (USABO) is the nation’s most prestigious biology education and testing program for U.S. high school students. USABO’s mission concentrates on stimulating intellectual curiosity in young scholars and developing their critical thinking in laboratory skills and biological reasoning to propel them to careers of excellence and leadership in STEM. CEE provides resources for students to prepare for the exam and for exploring biological sciences. With school registration, teachers gain access to a wealth of online biology resources, including recommended readings, study guides, practice questions, guidelines, checklists, and previous exams to help them prepare students for study and testing. For more, visit https://www.cee.org/programs/usa-biolympiad.
 
Media Contact:
Tom Flavell, (703) 448-9062 ext. 237