The American International School is thrilled to announce that G10 Doyeon Kim (Class of 2024) has been awarded a Silver Medal at the GENIUS Olympiad, a premier international high school competition focused on environmental issues.
Doyeon represented AIS with distinction on a global stage that included over 16,000 students from 57 countries. Hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology, the GENIUS Olympiad (Global Environmental Issues and Us) challenges young leaders to find sustainable solutions through science, engineering, and creative design.
Doyeon’s award-winning investigative research tackled a critical global challenge: the removal of microplastics from our water systems. She developed an interest in biological research on microplastics while participating in public beach cleaning activities in Hong Kong.
In her project, Doyeon explored the use of natural coagulants and discovered that kelp extract could remove up to 39% of microplastics from supernatant water by causing the particles to sink. This innovative use of marine resources to clean our waterways impressed the international panel of judges and earned her a place among the top young scientists in the world.
Earning a Silver Medal at the GENIUS Olympiad is more than just a trophy; it opens doors to the professional scientific community. Because of her high-level work, Doyeon has been invited to submit her research “Removal of Microplastics by Absorption on Kelp and By Flocculation Using Kelp Extract Coagulant or Flocculant” to the International Journal of High School Research (IJHSR).
Moving from a school project to a peer-reviewed academic publication is a remarkable achievement for a high school student. It demonstrates the Confidence and academic rigor that are the hallmarks of an AIS education.
AIS is incredibly proud of Doyeon’s dedication to environmental stewardship and scientific inquiry. Her success embodies our school’s commitment to fostering students who are not only knowledgeable but are also prepared to take on the responsibilities of global citizenship. We would also like to extend a special thank you to AIS HS biology teacher Jarryd Pagel and assistant Joanne Wong for their guidance and support in providing the equipment necessary for Doyeon’s experiments.
Congratulations, Doyeon! AIS is proud of your hard work and your contribution to a more sustainable future.
