The boy who won first prize in national biology competition dreams of making a cancer vaccine

Le Quy Huan, a 12th grade student specializing in biology at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh City, won first prize in the national biology subject in the national excellent student competition for the 2024-2025 school year. He dreams of being able to make a cancer vaccine.

Le Quy Huan, 12th grade student majoring in biology, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: NVCC

Receiving the news that he won first prize in the national excellent student biology competition, Le Quy Huan was a bit surprised because he didn't think he would win first prize.

"This score is similar to the score I thought I would get, but I only thought I would get second prize," said the boy who scored 27.75 on a 40-point scale in the biology exam.

From third prize to first prize national

Before winning first prize in the national excellent student competition in biology, Le Quy Huan had many excellent student awards in this subject.

In grade 9, Huan won second prize in the city-level excellent student in biology. In grade 10, Huan was the valedictorian of the 30-4 Olympic Biology Olympiad, but in grade 11, Huan only won third prize in the national excellent student in biology.

"During this time, I was also sad, but with the encouragement of teachers, family, and friends, I was able to lift my spirits and win the gold medal at the 30-4 Olympics. I also registered to participate in the American Biology Olympiad (USABO) in Asia and was lucky to win the gold medal.

In grade 12, I was able to join the city team and now the joy is winning first prize in the national excellent student competition," Huan expressed.

Having achieved so many impressive achievements, but from the beginning, Huan's orientation was to study math.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw the miracle of vaccines and started to love biology from then on," Huan said.

Although he loved biology, at that time Huan had not found an effective learning method. Learning from teachers, friends and looking up documents made Huan progress in this subject.

Find out how to study biology effectively

While many people think that biology is a subject of memorization, for Huan it is not like that. Biology is not a subject of pure memorization and study, even if you study by memorization, it is almost impossible because the knowledge is so broad.

Huan spent a lot of time reading books and using English to research effective ways to learn biology.

"Before, I had never thought about how to study or how to memorize, but after learning from many sources, I learned about mind mapping techniques, using flashcards, and asking myself questions to review effectively. Thanks to that, I was very lucky to systematize my knowledge," Huan confided.

Le Quy Huan (2nd row from top and far right) at the announcement ceremony of excellent students of Ho Chi Minh City participating in the national excellent student exam - Photo: NVCC

During the days of reviewing for the national excellent student exam, Huan spends about 4 hours on biology and sometimes more. Huan likes open spaces like libraries or university lecture halls to study.

For Huan, an open space can help him study better.

Winning first prize in the national biology exam helped Huan get direct admission to a public university in Vietnam and Huan plans to enter the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City.

"I like to study medicine but research medicine. I dream of being able to produce vaccines that are needed in the current era, such as cancer vaccines.

I hope that Vietnam can produce many types of vaccines that the era needs to better care for people's health. My passion for biology is linked to this dream," Huan happily shared.

Reading books in English is very good.

Commenting on her student, Ms. Pham Thi Be Hien - principal of Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted - said that Huan is a very disciplined student, loves biology, has a high spirit of learning, and likes to read science books.

In particular, Huan has the ability to self-study and research, and is very good at reading English textbooks. Since grade 10, teachers have discovered that he has potential, so they have supported and trained him, guided him in learning methods and oriented him to develop his outstanding abilities.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chang-trai-dat-giai-nhat-quoc-gia-mon-sinh-mo-dieu-che-vac-xin-ngua-ung-thu-20250119180104409.htm