International Brain Bee Awards

The International Brain Bee (IBB) World Championship is a worldwide neuroscience competition which welcomes pre-university students to participate. The IBB exists to develop future neuroscientists through its mission which encourages students to learn about the brain to help find cures for brain disorders.

The 2025 virtual World Championship brought together forty national Brain Bee champions who completed written exams and neuroanatomy and neurohistology tests and patient diagnosis tasks before participating in a live judging session with expert neuroscientists. The program included team-based challenges together with educational sessions and a career discussion and a video presentation of cultural content. The winners received their awards during the 2025 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego.

2025 IBB World Championship Winners

World Champion: Claire Zhou (United States, age 17)
Second Place: Emma Rees (Canada, age 17)
Third Place: Tiffany Yi (Australia, age 17)

The IBB World Champion receives a US $3,000 prize, personalized plaque, and medal; second and third place receive US $2,000 and US $1,000 respectively.

The top five finalists—Claire, Emma, Tiffany, Anastasiia Lysenko (Ukraine, age 15), and Mahsa Alizadeh (Iran, age 18)—will participate in the next IBB NextGen event, held at the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum in Barcelona.

“Our Brain Bee champions are truly exceptional and inspiring,” said Tasia Asakawa, FENS Executive Director and Chair of the IBB Board.“We look forward to welcoming them to Barcelona for an unforgettable learning experience.”

In this section featured is an original drawing by Cajal showing the cells in the basket cells in the cerebellum. Image courtesy of the CSIC and Instituto Cajal, Madrid, Spain.

Cajal Club Neural Progenitor Award

Anastasiia Lysenko (Ukraine, age 15) pictured

As part of a new partnership between the Cajal Club and the International Brain Bee, the Cajal Club proudly presented the 2025 Cajal Club Neural Progenitor Award to Anastasiia Lysenko (Ukraine), winner of the Live Judging Session.

The prize includes US $500 and a formal certificate recognizing her exceptional performance.

“The Cajal Club is honored to recognize outstanding young neuroscientists who embody the curiosity and rigor that defined Ramón y Cajal,” said Dr. Paola Arlotta, Chair, Harvard University Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and President of the Cajal Club. “We are proud to support Anastasiia and all Brain Bee participants as they begin their journeys in neuroscience.”

IBB Neuroanatomy/Histology Award

Claire Zhou (United States, age 17) pictured

The 2025 Neuroanatomy/Histology Award—honoring the competitor with the highest scores in neuroanatomy and neurohistology—was awarded to Claire Zhou, marking her second major honor of the championship. Her prize includes US $100 and a book on the works of Nobel Laureate Santiago Ramón y Cajal.

“This award celebrates not only knowledge, but a deep appreciation for the structure and beauty of the brain,” said Dr. Linda Richards, Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Washington University, past IBB Board Member and founder of the award.“Claire’s mastery of detail and understanding truly stand out.”

About the International Brain Bee

Founded in 1998 by Dr. Norbert Myslinski of the University of Maryland’s Department of Neural Pain Sciences

In this section featured is an original drawing by Cajal showing the cells in the deeper layers of a visual cortex of a cat. It is drawn on the back of a sheet of notebook paper headed "Instituto Cajal." Image courtesy of the CSIC and Instituto Cajal, Madrid, Spain.

The Brain Bee has grown into a global neuroscience education movement. Dr. Myslinski, awarded the 2016 SfN Science Educator Award, has dedicated his career to expanding public understanding of the human brain.

The IBB became an incorporated nonprofit organization in 2018 and is governed by its partners:

Alzheimer's Association
American Psychological Association (APA)
Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS)
International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
Society for Neuroscience (SfN)

The two-event format—virtual World Championship followed by the in-person IBB NextGen program—ensures accessibility, equity, and a rich educational experience for top competitors.

The 2025 World Championship received support from the Cajal Club, The Alex Manfull Fund, Eleanor Thompson (sponsoring the Career Panel in memory of Dr. Drew C. Richardson), and the Dana Foundation.

For more information, contact Astrid Eberhart, IBB Executive Director: astrid.eberhart@thebrainbee.org