20 26 USA BRAINBEE CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP
APRIL 25, 2026
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Image by Matthew Sandoval
ABOUT THE BRAIN BEE
The International Brain Bee was founded 28 years ago in 1998 by Dr. Norbert Myslinski with a mission to build better brains to fight brain disorders. Since its inception, this neuroscience competition has inspired thousands of teens to learn about the brain and pursue careers in neuroscience-related fields. Over 25,000 teens participate in Brain Bee competitions each year around the world.
The winner of each local USA chapter is invited to participate in the annual USA National Brain Bee Championship.
The top three winners of the national championship receive monetary awards. The first place winner is invited to advance to represent the USA in the annual World Championship, held during the summer.
The USA Brain Bee is now directed by Dr Manuella Oliveira Yassa The Brain Bee is possible thanks to the hundreds of individuals around the world who volunteer their time to host local competitions.
DR. MANUELLA OLIVEIRA YASSA
USA Brain Bee Director
Irvine Brain Bee Director Director of Outreach and Education University of California, Irvine
DR. NORBERT MYSLINSKI
Brain Bee Founder
Neuroscience Professor University of Maryland
CODE OF CONDUCT AND RULES
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at the University of California, Irvine is committed to providing an atmosphere that encourages free expression of ideas in a safe, positive, and harassment-free environment that is welcoming to all participants, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services. No bullying, discrimination, harassment or retaliation of any sort will be permitted at the event.
RULES
No recording (audio, visual, or written) of the competition questions or answers is allowed
A competitor is allowed to compete in the USA National Brain Bee competition only once in a lifetime
The competitor must be between the ages of 13 and 19
The competitor must not have knowledge of the confidential questions and answers before the competition
Competitors are expected to generate answers without the help of any individuals or materials
The decisions of the judges are final
CELEBRATING A LEGACY
Look around you.
Remember the humans and peers who fill the music in this hall with notes of flattering butterflies and fireflies.
No matter what happens, I hope that the conversations and experiences you have today will remind you to look for the synaptic connections, to look for the brilliant sky, to look for beauty in each and every moment.
CLAIRE ZHOU
2025 USA BRAIN BEE WINNER
2025 INTERNATIONAL BRAIN BEE WINNER
2026 USA BRAIN BEE
Dear 2026 USA National Brain Bee Competitors,
Congratulations to each of you on the outstanding achievement of winning your regional Brain Bee competition. It takes tremendous drive, dedication, and perseverance to reach this stage, and I encourage you to take a moment to recognize how far you ’ ve already come.
Our understanding of the brain continues to shape the world in profound ways, and the future of neuroscience will depend on curious, innovative, and passionate individuals like you The Brain Bee was created to spark that curiosity and to invite you into the fascinating world of brain science.
For some of you, this experience may mark the beginning of a lifelong journey in neuroscience. For others, it may be a moment of exploration and an opportunity to better understand the very organ that makes us who we are. Whatever path you choose, I hope your time in the Brain Bee becomes a meaningful chapter of growth, reflection, and discovery.
As you begin the National Championship, remember: it’s not the outcome of the competition that will shape you most, but the moments you ’ ve already experienced, the people you will meet here, and the memories you will create along the way.
Enjoy the journey.
Sincerely,
Manuella Oliveira Yassa, PhD Director
USA Brain Bee
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026 (OPTIONAL)
4PM
UC IRVINE CAMPUS TOUR DESSERT SOCIAL
We will meet by the Qureshey Research Building.
Scan for UC Irvine Campus Map
While we won’t be providing a group dinner this evening, we encourage you to enjoy one of the wonderful nearby restaurants.
Eureka! at University Town Center 4143 Campus Drive, Irvine (across the street from the UCI campus)
Shake Shack at Crystal Cove 7703 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach (for classic SoCal beach burger and shakes)
University Town Center (walking distance from campus) offers many dining options. Additionally, Fashion Island and Irvine Spectrum (a drive from campus) are great options if you plan to stay through the weekend.
Check out summer.uci.edu/visiting-irvine-resources for more local attractions
9:00 AM
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026
10:00 AM ROUND 1
Neuroscience Facts & Concepts
Anteater Learning Pavillion
11:00 AM
12:00 PM 9:45 AM
1:00 PM
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM 5:30 PM
Keynote Lecture *
Dr. Michael Yassa, Professor and Director, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM)
Anteater Learning Pavillion ROUND 2
Practical, Clinical, Scientific Knowledge
Neuroanatomy
Clinical/Scientific knowledge
Keynote Lecture *
Dr. Julianne McCall, CEO California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)
Anteater Learning Pavillion
Introduction of Finalists * ROUND 3
Anteater Learning Pavillion
Chaperones are invited to attend the Keynote Lectures and Round 3, marked above with asterisks (*)
LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION
HOTEL
Sonesta Irvine John Wayne Airport
17941 Von Karman Ave
Irvine, CA 92614
(949) 863-1999
EVENT VENUE
University of California, Irvine
Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation will be provided from the Sonesta Hotel to the event on Saturday morning (departing at 8:15am and 8:45am) and from the event to the Sonesta Hotel in the evening (7:00pm).
If you will be driving yourself to the competition, please park in lot 7 nearest the corner of Mesa and Peltason.
KEYNOTE LECTURES
Dr.MichaelYassa
ProfessorandMcGaughChair NeurobiologyandBehavior,Psychiatry, andNeurology,UCIrvine
NAVIGATING CHAOS: A NEW WAY TO THINK ABOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Dr.JulianneMcCall
ChiefExecutiveOfficer CaliforniaCouncilonScience andTechnology YOUR BRAIN ON POLICY: Why the world needs neuroscientists in the room where it happens
2002RegionalBrainBeeWinner(Ohio)
2002InternationalBrainBee3 PlaceWinner rd BrainBeeAdvocateforover20years
2026 PARTICIPANTS
SATYA ACHANTI
Arkansas Brain Bee
Arkansas
SHIREEN ARORA
AZ Regional Brain Bee
Arizona
DEVARSH
ASWIN
Pacific Northwest Brain Bee
Washington
ANSHIKA ATLURI
JMU Brain Bee
Virginia
ANIKETH AYYAGARI
Princeton Brain Bee
New Jersey AVEER BAWA
Central Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania MARIA BERNITSAS
Creighton Brain Bee
Nebraska
NEEV BHANDARE
Memphis Brain Bee
Tennessee
2026 PARTICIPANTS
NIRUPAMA
BHATT
Brown Brain Bee
Rhode Island
SAM GLAUNER
Southern Maryland
Brain Bee
BOLIN
DONG
UTDallas Brain Bee
Texas
AARAV
DOSHI
Central Michigan
Michigan
NATALIE
GEENEN
Chicago Brain Bee
Illinois
Maryland
KYLE GURR
Sierra Nevada SfN
Chapter Brain Bee
Nevada
DESHAUN HAZAR HADLEY
Jacksonville Brain Bee
Florida
ADAM
HONG
Long Island Brain Bee
New York
2026 PARTICIPANTS
MEERA
IYER
Rochester Brain Bee
New York
ARAV JHA
SfN KC Brain Bee
Kansas
SOPHIA JIANG
Atlanta Regional Brain Bee
Georgia
AANYA KARTHIK
Los Angeles
California
ARTINA KAZEMI
Minnesota Brain Bee
Minnesota BEHRAM KHAN
Brain Bee at Virginia Tech
Virginia
NATHAN
KING
St. Louis Area Brain Bee
Missouri
ROSA LEE
Bay Area Brain Bee
California
2026 PARTICIPANTS
Brain Bee at MSU
Michigan
Eastern Iowa Brain Bee
Iowa
Brain Bee at UTMB
Texas MUYAN
NEPA BrainBee
Pennsylvania
EASON YUZE LU
Newark NJ Regional Brain Bee
New Jersey
CALEB MALEK
Houston Brain Bee
Texas ELLE MCAVEY
Vermont Brain Bee
Vermont
LEO MENG
San Diego
California
2026 PARTICIPANTS
MARIAM MOHAMED
Boston University Brain Bee
Massachusetts
VISHNU
MUKKU
Yale Brain Bee
Connecticut
JAYDEN NARCISO
New Mexico Brain Bee
Mexico
KEVIN O'DONNELL
Westchester (Burke) Brain Bee
New York
ERIC PENG
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania
JOSEPH PENG
Central Massachusetts Brain Bee
Massachusetts
KAYLA
ROH
Irvine Brain Bee
California
SIMON ROPICKI
North Central Florida Brain Bee
Florida
2026 PARTICIPANTS
REYA SATAM
Upper Valley Brain Bee
New Hampshire
MUSFIRAH SOHAIL
Indianapolis Brain Bee
Indiana
ARJUN SWAMINATHAN
Michigan Brain Bee
Michigan RUFEI TANG
University of Pennsylvania Brain Bee
Pennsylvania
CHINMAYI SHYAM SUNDAR
Triangle Brain Bee
North Carolina
PRANAV SUNDARRAJAN
Tidewater Brain Bee
Virginia
SAM VADIVELU
Albany Regional Brain Bee
New York
ANYA VERMA
Central Jersey Regional Brain Bee
New Jersey
2026 PARTICIPANTS
VIOLA VOIGT
Alaska Regional Brain Bee
Alaska
SAATHVIK VOORA
Olympia Brain Bee
Washington
GAVIN WILLIS
SLC Brain Bee
Utah
PETER YANG
Baltimore City Brain Bee
Maryland
ERIC WANG
South Carolina Brain Bee
South Carolina
JEREMY WHITE
Alabama Brain Bee
Alabama
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 ORGANIZERS AND VOLUNTEERS
We are deeply grateful to the following individuals at UC Irvine whose dedication and support helped make the 2026 USA Brain Bee Championship possible:
Dr. Julianne McCall
CEO, California Council on Science and Technology
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Michael Yassa
Professor and CNLM Director
Keynote Speaker and Judge
Dr. Eitan Schechtman
Assistant Professor
Brain Bee Organizing Committee:
Dr. Morgan Coburn
Dr. Erin Conway
Dr. Rachael Hokenson
Julie Loritch
Allison Morehouse Winny Ning
UCI CNLM Staff:
ABOUT THE PROGRAM COVER
The cover of this year’s program features an image from a study published in The Journal of Neuroscience by scientists at the UC Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. The image shows a coronal section of a mouse brain, captured using fluorescence microscopy. In this technique, specific molecules are tagged so they emit light when excited under a microscope—here, the protein MDGA1 is shown in red and all cell nuclei are shown in blue—allowing scientists to map where proteins are expressed across different brain regions.
BRAI
APRIL 25, 2026
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory