WASHINGTON — A local student will be one of four high schoolers representing the U.S. during a world chemistry competition in July.
Joyce Tian, a rising senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, a Fairfax County public school in Alexandria, Virginia, will compete against students from 70 countries at the 48th International Chemistry Olympiad in Tbilisi, Georgia.
“We spend about a week there in Georgia,” said Tian, 16.
The annual International Chemistry Olympiad began in 1968 and is considered a competition of the world’s best high school chemistry students.
Tian’s mother Qing Sun said she basically grew up in a chemistry lab. Her dad has a doctorate in organic chemistry, and she spent a lot of her time in his lab when she was younger, according to her mother.
“Of course we are very proud of her,” said her mother said.
This year’s world chemistry competition is July 23 to Aug. 1. The four-member U.S. team will be joined by two additional alternates. Tian said that was a little nervous, but was excited about the opportunity.
“I’m pretty confident that we can pull something off,” Tian said.
Tian said she is also hoping to do some sightseeing during the trip and, hopefully, some good food while she’s there.
