MCPHS Professor Guides Team USA to Golden Finish at Chemistry Olympiad

Dr. Songwen Xie leads U.S. students to four gold medals at the 2025 Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai

There were no balance beams, no hurdles, no figure skates—just brainpower, precision, and chemistry. And that was more than enough for Team USA to strike gold.

At the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), held from July 5 to 14 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, all four United States team members earned gold medals under the leadership of Dr. Songwen Xie, Professor of Chemistry at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). It’s the team’s best result in five years and a standout moment in Xie’s third year as head mentor.

“I couldn’t be prouder of these four brilliant students,” Xie said. “They rose to the challenge with incredible focus and determination, and it was an honor to support them on this journey.”

The U.S. team—William Wang, Yash Shah, Max Zhou, and Adam Madni—ranked 16th, 17th, 20th, and 36th, respectively, out of 354 competitors from 92 countries. Just four teams earned four gold medals this year, placing the U.S. in rare company.

Team members were selected after an intensive two-week study camp hosted by the American Chemical Society at the University of Maryland. The camp included advanced lectures, lab work, and rigorous testing to prepare for the IChO’s demanding theoretical and practical exams.

Xie previously coached at the Olympiads in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last year, and Zurich in 2023. The competition moves to Uzbekistan next year.