Meet the Team
See the people who have spent many hours organizing the competition, writing problems, reviewing problems, and maintaining the website.
Brian Zhang
Brian Zhang is a rising senior at Northville High School, Michigan. In seventh grade, he came across Richard Feynman’s book Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! which sparked in him a profound interest in physics. Ever since then, a ceaseless curiosity to explore further into physical phenomena has driven his learning. He is a member of the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Physics Team, 3 time USAJMO qualifier, earning an Honorable Mention in 2023, and 2024 USAMO qualifier. Brian is also enthusiastic about computer science, especially machine learning. Outside of STEM, Brian plays piano and finds deep joy in classical music, is a co-captain of his school’s varsity tennis team, and leads a journalism club and a volunteer organization.
Vardhan Agnihotri
Vardhan Agnihotri is a rising freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he will obtain dual degrees in finance from Wharton and electrical engineering from the School of Engineering through the M&T program. He joined the OPhO committee in his junior year and now serves as the lead developer/outreach executive. Since freshman year, he's enjoyed growing his skillset in the fields of computer science and engineering by performing research, working at a robotics startup, and attending/directing hackathons. Aside from these extracurriculars, Vardhan enjoys playing video games with friends, reminiscing on the Patriots' glory days with Tom Brady, playing quizbowl, reading, and speedcubing.
Ashmit Dutta
Ashmit Dutta is a rising sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign majoring in computer engineering. He started OPhO during COVID-19, and in high school, he has participated in competitions like the USAPhO, PUPC, Physics Cup, and the Online Physics Brawl. Additionally he was a TA in the level 3 physics course at AwesomeMath and also created Everaise Academy. In his free time he likes making music on FLStudio, lifting weights, and roadtrips.
Felix Tudose
Felix Tudose is a high school student from Romania with a passion for physics and informatics. He has won a silver medal at the IPhO 2023 in Japan, a silver medal at the EJOI 2021, and two gold medals at the RMI. Felix also organizes his school's informatics contest "Stelele Informaticii".
Eppu Leinonen
Eppu Leinonen is a BSc student at University of Helsinki where he studies physics and mathematics. Back in secondary school he participated in various Olympiads ultimately representing Finland in EuPhO, IPhO and IOL. He also won a gold medal at Physics Cup 2023. Now he focuses on more the organizational aspects of Olympiads; he has written problems for NBPhO and is a part of the Finnish physics Olympiad training team, focusing on teaching theory.
Michael Voigt
Michael Voigt is an incoming freshman at MIT, where he intends to major in physics and informatics. He is a silver medalist in the USA Physics Olympiad and has won numerous medals in his state’s Science Olympiad tournaments in subjects such as optics and experimental design. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with others, volunteering as a teacher in physics, math, and computer science for students in his community. In his free time, Michael enjoys practicing taekwondo, playing tennis, and playing video games.
Zhi Zheng
Zhi Zheng is an incoming freshman at MIT from Malaysia with a deep-rooted passion for physics and astronomy! In high school, aside from doing his A-Levels, he participated in the IPhO and IOAA, and has a collection of HM, Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. (diversity!) Now, he is part of the Malaysian training team and also manages AMISO, an organization that aims to disseminate information about Olympiads to high-schoolers all across Malaysia. Outside of being a nerd, he loves Pokémon, music and making.
Kartik Ramachandrula
Kartik Ramachandrula is a rising senior at Brookfield Central High School, Wisconsin. Kartik is passionate about physics, mathematics, and machine learning, and is especially interested in topics of intersection. Kartik was a member of the '23 U.S. Physics Team and earned USAPhO Gold Medal, USAMO Bronze Medal, USAJMO Winner, USAJMO HM, and 3x USAJMO qualification, International Physics Brawl Online 5th International (2nd in U.S.), and FIRST World Championship Qualification (FTC 22', FLL 19'). Kartik is pursuing research in the 2024 MIT PRIMES-USA program and is excited to attend the 2024 RSI program. Outside of STEM, Kartik loves learning languages, cooking (literally and figuratively), and volunteering/teaching.
Dillan Jagannath
Dillan Jagannath is a rising senior from Cary, North Carolina. He is interested in math, physics, and engineering and is currently a captain of his school’s robotics, rocketry, and physics teams. He has experience in theoretical and experimental research in optics and electromagnetism at the USAYPT. Dillan also enjoys sharing his passion for STEM as a math tutor. In his free time, Dillan enjoys watching movies and playing Brawlstars.
Zian Shi
Zian Shi is an incoming freshman at MIT and graduating junior at Clovis North High school. He loves physics for its application and intuitive properties. Zian started physics by chance in eighth grade, and made USAPhO Camp 3 months later. He is a three time Physics Teamer and one time IPhOer. He also actively participates in other subjects – he is currently in USACO Platinum and earned an Honorable Mention in the USAJMO. He attended the SPARC summer program and loved the connections he made there. In his free time, Zian loves to hike, kayak, and go camping.
Yehong Jiang
Yehong Jiang is a rising senior at The Nueva School, California interested in both the theoretical and experimental sides of physics. In addition to olympiads, Yehong also leads his school's physics research team, which competes at the USAYPT every year. He is a 3-time member of the US Physics Team and is excited to participate in the 2024 IOAA. When not doing STEM, Yehong enjoys singing, fencing, and playing billiards.
Sam Labidi
Sami Labidi is an incoming freshman at MIT. He’s interested in all areas of physics and is currently involved in research in classical optics. In 2023, Sami was a member of the US Physics Team and was the IPhO alternate for the USA. In his free time, Sami likes to listen to music, lift weights, and engineer ways to cook that require the minimum amount of cleaning possible.