On July 18, the 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) concluded in Lithuania. This year's competition brought together 302 participants from 78 countries and regions. All four members of China's delegation won gold medals, with RDFZ student Shi Jiayu taking second place in the world to claim the gold.
Shi Jiayu (second from left) receives her award at the closing ceremony.
The competition included both theoretical and practical examinations spanning multiple specialized fields of biology, placing high demands on participants' foundational knowledge, experimental skills, data analysis, logical reasoning, and the ability to synthesize and apply knowledge across disciplines.
Shi Jiayu first demonstrated a deep interest in biology in Grade 9. At that time, her teacher Wang Xiaoyue noticed her exceptional capacity for modeling complex problems such as genetic inheritance patterns, as well as her enthusiasm for inquiry-based learning, and promptly guided her to recognize her potential in the field of biology.
In Grade 10, her competition coach Wang Yiwei put into practice the philosophy of "respecting students' wishes and focusing on developing subject-based competency rather than fixating on scores." He identified and cultivated her potential, systematically built her knowledge framework for biology competitions, and carefully nurtured her scientific literacy, guiding her through hands-on practice in both macroscopic and microscopic experiments from the very beginning.
Entering Grade 11, her competition coach Yang Debao further strengthened her biological capabilities through targeted training. He not only formulated a dedicated development plan for her but also used opportunities such as classroom presentations and open-ended explanations to sharpen her expression and critical thinking skills. When she experienced setbacks, Teacher Yang encouraged her, saying: "Almost everyone feels nervous before an important exam — a moderate amount of nervousness actually helps you stay focused. You don't need to worry too much; just give it your all." This helped her become increasingly sharp in her thinking, skilled in communication, and open to revising her own viewpoints.
In August 2025, Shi Jiayu won a gold medal at the National High School Biology Competition, was selected for the national training squad, and received a guaranteed admission offer to Tsinghua University. Maintaining her humble and diligent approach to learning, she continued to apply herself assiduously and was selected for China's national delegation in January 2026. She ultimately traveled to Lithuania in July of this year to compete in the 37th IBO, where she won the gold medal.
Shi Jiayu poses for a photo with teachers and students at RDFZ.
This achievement is the fruit of RDFZ's subject competition development system and the collective efforts of its teachers and students. RDFZ will continue to uphold its educational philosophy of "respecting individuality and unlocking potential," striving to provide every student with tailored developmental support and empowering students to achieve comprehensive yet individualized growth.
