UCS senior qualifies for chance to compete in International Chemistry Olympiad

A Utica Community Schools senior has qualified for a chance to represent the United States at the International Chemistry Olympiad.

Saumeel Desai of Stevenson High School and the Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology will compete in a nearly five hour national exam in April after taking second place in a state level competition.

Desai placed second in the Michigan round of the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad based on a nearly three hour test at the University of Michigan, Dearborn Campus.

Desai and 14 other members of UCMST competed against the top Chemistry students in the state to qualify for the national team. The UCS students were coached by Chemistry and Computer Science teacher Michael Attan.

Desai will now take the national exam - an extended written problem-solving portion and 90 minute laboratory practical.

The top 20 national winners will be invited to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado where they will undergo rigorous training and compete to be one of the four high school students chosen to represent the United States at the International Chemistry Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan.