East Brunswick High School Senior Contending for Spot in Chemistry Olympiad

An East Brunswick High School senior is in contention for one of four spots on the 45th International Chemistry Olympiad U.S. team, the American Chemical Society (ACS) announced.

Grace Zhang has been named one of the top 20 chemists in the country for the second time. This puts her in position to spend two weeks at an intensive chemistry study camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, the ACS said.

At the conclusion of the camp, the top four students will be selected to compete in the Olympiad in Moscow, Russia, from July 15-24, ACS officials said. Over 70 nations will compete in the Olympiad.

Zhang earned the opportunity due to her performance on a three-part exam taken by over 12,000 high school students nationwide, followed by the National Chemistry Test, taken by the top 1,000 performers on the first test.

The study camp is currently underway, through June 19. During that time, Zhang will earn college and graduate-level training through a series of lectures, problem-solving exercises, lab work and testing., with an emphasis on organic chemistry.

ACS has been the sponsor for the U.S. team since it first joined the Olympiad, according to ACS officials.