Winnipeg Teen Shines at International Brain Bee

In a remarkable display of skill and knowledge, a high school student from Winnipeg, Lisa Wei, has captured second place at the prestigious International Brain Bee, a neuroscience competition that drew nearly 3,000 participants from 40 countries in Chicago, Illinois.

Expressing her disbelief, the 11th grader shared with CTV News, “For me, it was like, so surprising. I was not expecting it at all.” Her journey to the international stage began with a local competition organized by the University of Manitoba, after which she triumphed in the Canadian National Brain Bee tournament held in Vancouver, competing against 20 of the nation’s brightest young minds.

Wei dedicated her summer to rigorous study, employing a structured approach to her preparation. “The preparation definitely consisted of reading the materials online. I set goals for how many chapters or articles to read daily and used September to review everything I had learned during the summer,” she explained.

The Brain Bee Competition

The Brain Bee focuses on an extensive range of neuroscience topics, from fundamental brain functions to the intricate relationships between behavior, emotion, and memory. Wei's passion for the brain stems from its complexity and the profound impact it has on human behavior.

During the competition, both Wei and her Australian opponent impressed the judges to the point where they exhausted their list of questions, as both participants were able to answer them all knowledgeably.

Mentorship and Support

Dr. Robert Beattie, a professor at the University of Manitoba’s College of Medicine, mentored Wei and praised her extraordinary capabilities. “This competition is incredibly difficult, and these questions are post-graduate level. She’s only in grade 11, which is mind-boggling, no pun intended. She’s truly a phenomenal student, and we are extremely proud of her,” he stated.

Future of Neuroscience in Winnipeg

Notably, Winnipeg has become a powerhouse in the Brain Bee competitions, with local students winning three of the last four Canadian championships. “We’re training, through this competition, the next generation of neuroscientists and health care workers, instilling a passion for science in these students,” Dr. Beattie added.

The Canadian National Brain Bee serves as a gateway for high school students to explore the captivating field of neuroscience and is slated to take place in Toronto from May 21 to 24, 2025. With ambitious and talented participants like Lisa Wei, the future of neuroscience looks incredibly promising.

Stay tuned for more updates on this inspiring young scientist and her upcoming journeys in the world of neuroscience! This is not just a win for Lisa but a leap for all aspiring neuroscientists watching closely!