Text curated by Dr Fiorella Dell'Olio. Image taken at the Closing Ceremony. Front row from the left: Joseph Wong, Jerry Zhang, Julian Ho and Zesang Li. Back row from the left: Alex Thom, Ben Pilgrim, JL Kiappes, Richard Danylyuk and Sky Kang.
Four of the UK’s most promising young chemists earned top honours at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai this month, under the mentorship of Prof. Alex Thom and Richard Danylyuk a PhD student – both from the Department of Chemistry.
Competing from 5–14 July against over 350 students from more than 90 countries, the UK team – selected through a highly competitive national process – included four students aged 17–18: Zesang Li, Joseph Wong, Julian Ho, and Jerry Zhang, representing a range of school backgrounds. Jerry Zhang is due to begin studying at Cambridge this autumn. The UK team secured one gold medal for Joseph Wong, one silver for Zesang Li, and two bronze medals for Julian Ho and Jerry Zhang. The gold medallist placed 40th in the world, continuing the UK’s longstanding tradition of excellence at the IChO.
This year’s participation was marked by unusual challenges. The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), which supports the UK delegation, withdrew their support for travel to the International Competition due to perceived risks associated with the competition’s location. Undeterred, the students self-financed their flights to attend. With support from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Chemistry, which helped cover costs for Alex and Richard, the full team was able to participate – a decision that proved worthwhile.
“It shows just how much the Olympiad means to the students. We were very proud to support them and give them a chance to take part,” said Richard Danylyuk, who took on a lead mentoring role. “It’s right they were recognised for their talent and all the hard work they put into training.”
The IChO features rigorous theoretical and practical chemistry exams, conducted under strict international standards. Students are separated from mentors, surrender electronic devices, and compete in carefully controlled lab environments. Mentors, meanwhile, work behind the scenes – reviewing exam content, ensuring fairness, and negotiating scores as needed.
Outside the academic component, students and mentors participated in cultural experiences across the UAE, including visits to Abu Dhabi and the Museum of the Future. The Cambridge mentors also arranged an independent outing with camel rides, sandboarding and quad biking – a highlight for many on the trip.
Image taken by Richard Danylyuk.
“Competing at the IChO is an incredible experience, and the medals achieved by the students show the immense amount of work they have put in,” said Prof. Alex Thom. “The opportunity to teach and mentor some of the very best young chemists in the UK has been deeply rewarding – it’s inspiring to see their passion for chemistry, their curiosity, and their determination to push themselves beyond the curriculum. Supporting them on this journey has been a real privilege.”
As planning begins for future Olympiads, the 2025 experience stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when committed individuals – students and mentors alike – pursue science on the global stage, regardless of unexpected barriers.