Shireen Arora takes first place and will represent the United States at the International Brain Bee
Irvine, CA — April 25, 2026 — The brightest young minds in neuroscience from across the country gathered at the University of California, Irvine for the 2026 USA National Brain Bee Championship, a prestigious academic competition that challenges high school students to demonstrate their knowledge of the brain and nervous system.
This year’s championship brought together 54 students representing 33 states, marking a record for the national competition. Each participant earned their place by winning a regional Brain Bee and advancing to the national championship.
Hosted by the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) at UC Irvine, the competition featured multiple rounds testing students’ mastery of neuroscience concepts, neuroanatomy, and clinical applications.
The USA Brain Bee is directed by Dr. Manuella Oliveira Yassa, Director of Outreach and Education at UC Irvine’s Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, who leads national efforts to expand access to neuroscience education and inspire the next generation of scientists.
“You are not only brilliant, you have so much gratitude in your hearts,” said Dr. Oliveira Yassa to the participants during the event. “If this is what the future of neuroscience looks like–curious, compassionate, driven–then we are in very, very good hands.”
A hallmark of the USA Brain Bee experience is direct engagement with leaders in the field. This year’s keynote speakers reflected both the cutting edge of neuroscience research and the broader impact of neuroscience in society.
Dr. Michael Yassa, Professor and Director of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at UC Irvine, delivered a lecture titled “Navigating Chaos: A New Way to Think About Alzheimer’s Disease.” His talk highlighted how emerging research is reshaping our understanding of memory and neurodegenerative disease, offering students a glimpse into how fundamental discoveries translate into real-world impact.
Complementing this perspective, Dr. Julianne McCall, CEO of the California Council on Science and Technology, presented “Your Brain on Policy: Why the World Needs Neuroscientists in the Room Where It Happens.” Dr. McCall’s journey is deeply connected to the Brain Bee itself. She first competed as a high school student and has remained a dedicated leader and advocate for the program for over two decades. Her talk emphasized the importance of applying neuroscience beyond the lab, showing students how scientific knowledge can inform policy, decision-making, and societal progress.
Together, these keynote lectures underscored a central message of the Brain Bee: that neuroscience is not only about understanding the brain, but also about shaping the future, from advancing treatments for brain disorders to influencing how science intersects with society.
After two rigorous rounds of competition, the top 10 competitors advanced to the finals, an intense, live elimination round. In a high-stakes “three strikes” elimination format, students tackled increasingly challenging questions from a panel of expert judges, pushing the limits of their knowledge as judges probed deeper into complex topics to determine the final rankings.
2026 USA National Brain Bee Top 10 Finalists
The top 10 competitors, representing many regions across the United States, were:
- Shireen Arora — Arizona (AZ Regional Brain Bee)
- Bolin Dong — Texas (UT Dallas Brain Bee)
- Meera Iyer — New York (Rochester Brain Bee)
- Artina Kazemi — Minnesota (Minnesota Brain Bee)
- Rufei Tang — Pennsylvania (University of Pennsylvania Brain Bee)
- Musfirah Sohail — Indiana (Indianapolis Brain Bee)
- Aanya Karthik — California (Los Angeles Brain Bee)
- Leo Meng — California (San Diego Brain Bee)
- Anya Verma — New Jersey (Central Jersey Regional Brain Bee)
- Saathvik Voora — Washington (Olympia Brain Bee)
Prizes of $1,500, $1,000, and $500 are awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place winners of the USA Brain Bee Championship. First place winner Shireen Arora will go on to represent the United States at the International Brain Bee World Championship later this year.
“It honestly feels unreal,” said Arora. “I didn’t even think I would make the top 10. Everyone here is so smart and accomplished. Becoming the champion still feels surreal. This has been such an amazing experience, and I’m so grateful to the USA Brain Bee organizers, my Arizona Brain Bee coordinators, and my family and friends for their support.”
The event was made possible by a dedicated team at UC Irvine whose leadership was instrumental in bringing the national championship to life. This team included CNLM Office of Outreach and Education staff Dr. Morgan Coburn and Dr. Erin Purvis and the Brain Bee committee chairs Dr. Rachael Hokenson, Julie Loritsch, Allison Morehouse, and Winny Ning. The competition was also supported by a panel of expert faculty judges, including Dr. Michael Yassa, Dr. Eitan Schechtman, and Dr. Elizabeth Head, as well as more than 30 CNLM Ambassador volunteers, whose energy and commitment helped create a seamless and memorable experience for all participants.
“The national championship participants represent a small part of a much larger community of thousands of students who participate in regional Brain Bee competitions each year,” said Dr. Oliveira Yassa. “That reach is only possible because of the collective commitment of hundreds of volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to making these experiences possible. I am deeply grateful to each and every one of them.”
About the USA Brain Bee
The USA Brain Bee is part of the International Brain Bee, a global neuroscience competition founded in 1998 by Dr. Norbert Myslinski. With more than 25,000 students participating worldwide each year, the Brain Bee is the leading neuroscience competition for high school students and a key part of a global effort to inspire the next generation of scientists, clinicians, and innovators working to understand the human brain and combat neurological disease. Designed to motivate students to learn about the brain and pursue careers in science and medicine, the program engages students through local chapters, with winners advancing to national and international competitions. The USA Brain Bee is made possible through the dedication of volunteers, educators, and scientists committed to advancing neuroscience education and expanding access to opportunities in the field.
Interested in participating in the Brain Bee? Find your local chapter here.
Interested in supporting the Brain Bee? We are seeking sponsors and partners. Please contact Dr. Manuella Yassa to learn more.
Media Contact:
Dr. Manuella Oliveira Yassa
Director, USA Brain Bee
manuella.yassa@uci.edu
(949) 824-5193
Photo Credit: Thien Pham and Erynn Nassif
