A community
of exploration

What We Do?

AlphaStar Academy, founded and operated by former Olympians, channels the passion and expertise of its founders to train the next generation of gifted students. Our extensive training programs are specifically designed to prepare students for national and international Math and Science competitions, including MathCounts, American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), USA Math Olympiads, USA Computing Olympiads (USACO), the F=ma Exam, and USA Physics Olympiads.

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Founding Members

Murat Biyik

AlphaStar Co-founder and CEO (since 2017)
AMC International Coordinator, Turkey (2015-16)
A* Program Coordinator, (2010-2017)
School Admin at Public Schools (2008-2010)
Math Teacher at Public & Private Schools (1994-2007)

Fatih Gelgi, Ph.D.

AlphaStar Co-founder and Computer Science Director (since 2017)
A* CS Program Founder & Coordinator, (2008-2017)
Ph.D., Computer Science, Arizona State University (2007)
International Olympiad in Informatics (1999: Bronze Medal)
USA Computing Olympiad Coach (2006-2014)
Olympiad in Informatics Turkish National Team Coach (1999-2003)
Balkan Olympiad in Informatics (1998, 1999)

Ali Gurel, Ph.D.

AlphaStar Co-founder and Math Director (since 2017)
A* Math Program Founder & Coordinator, (2008-2017)
Ph.D., Mathematics, Caltech (2008)
International Mathematical Olympiad (1996: Silver Medal)
American Mathematics Competitions Advisory Panel Member (2008-2012)
USA Math Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP) Instructor (2007-2012)
Scott Russell Johnson Prize for Excellence in Graduate Teaching, Caltech (2007)

Mehmet Kaysi

AlphaStar Co-founder and Math Program Director (since 2017)
A* Math Program Coordinator, (2008-2017)
American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) Problem Writing Committee (2011-2014)
Junior Balkan Mathematical Olympiad – USA Team Leader (2013)
Balkan Mathematical Olympiad – Academic Assistant (2012)
International Mathematical Olympiad (2004)
Balkan Mathematical Olympiad – Silver Medal (2004)

Full-time Faculty Members

Osman Ay, M.S.

AlphaStar Computer Science Instructor (2021-present)
M.S. in Computer Education and Instructional Technology (2012)
Coach Assistant of USACO (2004-2009)
World Finals Judge, ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (since 2002)
Experience in Computing Olympiads as a teacher, coach, problem writer and judge (since 1997)
Authored several Computer Science and programming books.

Emre Gul

AlphaStar Instructors (2021 – present)
12+ years of teaching experience
MathCounts coach since 2009

Alexander Moreira, M.S.

M.S. in Computer Science, Stanford (2023)
B.S. in Mathematics, Stanford (2022)
Mathematics and Computer Science instructor (5+ years)
George Polya Prize from Stanford University (2022)
Honorable mention for the Computing Research Association’s Undergraduate Researcher Award (2022)

Richard Spence Ph.D.

AlphaStar Alumni
A-Star Math Instructor (since 2012)
Ph.D., Computer Science, U. of Arizona (2021)
B.S., in Math with Computer Science, MIT (2016)
USAMO qualifier (2010)
MathCounts National qualifier (2007, 2008)
National “Who Wants to be a Mathematician” qualifier (2011-2012)Perfect score on AMC 10 (2009)
National Scrabble Championship – Div. 2 (2011: Winner)

Faculty (Part-time and Former)

Ata Pir, Ph.D.

  • PhD, Mathematics, Texas A&M University 2018
  • Balkan Mathematical Olympiad – Served on Problem Selecting Committee (2012)
  • Academy for Future Faculty Certificate from the Center for Teaching Excellence and the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning
  • International Mathematical Olympiad 2004, Bronze Medal
  • Balkan Mathematical Olympiad 2004, Bronze Medal

Salma Baig, M.A., M.S.

  • AlphaStar Instructor (since 2018)
  • Computer Science teacher (15+ years)
  • MA in Education, University of London (1998)
  • MS in Computer Science, Georgia Tech (2021)

Saahil Sundaresan

  • Stanford University Class of 2026
  • AIME qualifier with distinction (2 times)
  • 3+ years of math teaching experience
  • USACO Gold
  • USAPhO Qualifier

Ayhan Duzgun

  • A* Physics Instructor (2017: Summer Camp)
  • Ph.D. Candidate, Physics Department, Kent State University
  • M.S., Physics, University of Pittsburgh (2005)
  • International Physics Olympiad (1997: Honorable Mention, 1998: Honorable Mention, 1999: Silver Medal)

Bahattin Yildiz, Ph.D.

  • PhD, Mathematics ,CALTECH, 2006
  • Assistant/Associate professor, Northern Arizona University, 2017-Current
  • Coordinator in 29th Balkan, 17th Junior Balkan and 3rd European Girls Mathematics Olympiads.

Sal Tiryaki, M.S.

  • AlphaStar Computer Science Instructor (2018-present)
  • M.Ed., Leadership in Education, American College of Education (2016)
  • Computer Science / Robotics teacher (2010-present)
  • Many regional, state, interstate, and international awards in Robotics such as 2014 Tri-State (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada) and Mexico Championship, 2017 First Global Zhang Heng Silver Engineering Design
  • Worked as an engineer, project leader, and tecnical manager in industry (2003-2010)
  • B.S. in Electrical Engineering (2002)

Mete Bayram, M.Ed.

  • AlphaStar Instructor (since 2021)
  • Computer Science and Robotics Educator (since 2015)
  • M.Ed. in Science Education (2015)
  • B.S. in Electronic and Computer Education (2013)

Mehmet Uyman

  • AlphaStar Instructor (since 2020)
  • B.S. in Software Engineering
  • Computer Science Teacher in public/private schools (since 2015)

Sophia Moreira

  • B.S, Stanford University (2020)
  • AoPS Associate Curriculum Developer and Upper Math Associate Director (2020-2021)
  • Tutors nationally competitive math and Latin students (2021-2022)
  • Stanford Probability for CS Contest: 2nd Place, Individual (2017)
  • AIME Qualifier (2015)

Daniel Lee

  • M. Ed., e-Learning and New Media, CalState LA (2019)
  • B.S in Computer Science, UC Riverside (2002)
  • Computer Science teacher at a public school
  • 10+ years of teaching experience in elementary and high school.

Muhyeddin Ercan, M.S.

  • AlphaStar Computer Science Instructor (2018-2022)
  • MS in Computer Science in UCA (2012)
  • Computer Science Teacher (2012-present)
  • Won 3rd Place in USA Microsoft Imagine Cup Software Design Competition

Yalcin Udun, M.Ed.

  • AlphaStar Math Instructor (since 2017)
  • Ph.D. Program, Mathematics Education at U. of Arizona
  • MS.E. in Gifted and Talented Education at ASU
  • Raytheon Math Hero Award (2015)
  • Arizona Mathcounts Team Coach (2012)
  • Math Teacher

Ali Adali Ph.D.

  • PhD, Mathematics, Ohio State 2017
  • AlphaStar Math Instructor (2011-2016, 2022)
  • EGMO 2014: Problem Grading Committee Member
  • Junior Balkan Math Olympiad (JBMO) 2013: Deputy Leader of the Team USA
  • International Mathematical Olympiad ( 2002: Bronze, 2003: Bronze)
  • Balkan Mathematical Olympiad ( 2002: Bronze, 2003: Silver)

Hope Chen

  • MIT Class of 2019
  • MIT DynaMIT Middle School Science Camp Mentor
  • MIT Global Teaching Labs Instructor

Abby Knepper

  • College of William and Mary Class of 2019, Applied Mathematics major
  • Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Education (2017)
  • William and Mary private math tutor since 2016
  • YMCA summer camp assistant director (2017)

Joseph Hurmali

  • Students he taught received 4 Gold, 9 Silver, 9 Bronze medals in International Math Olympiads
  • Teacher of the teachers: Taught Dr. Gurel, Dr. Gelgi, and Mr. Kaysi in their high school years
  • Administrator at Public Schools (10 Years Experience)
  • Math Teacher / Olympiad Coordinator (10 Years Experience)
  • MS, Computer Science (1999)
  • BS, Mathematics Education (1991)

Victor Hakim

  • AlphStar Physics Program Director (2018-2020)
  • AlphaStar Physics/Math Full Time Instructor (2017-2020)
  • B.A., Applied Math – Quantum Mechanics focus, University of California, Berkeley (2017)
  • M.S., Mechanical Engr. – Controls & Dynamics, Santa Clara University (Current)
  • USAPhO Honorable Mention (2013)
  • Berkeley Math Tournament Problem Writing Coordinator (2016)
  • MathCounts Coach (Del Mar Elementary)

Sukru Tikves, Ph.D.

  • Software Engineer at Google
  • Ph.D., Computer Science, Arizona State University (2016)
  • A-Star CS Instructor at year-round courses (2015-2017)
  • International Olympiad in Informatics (1997 Silver, 1998 Silver, 1999 Silver)
  • Balkan Olympiad in Informatics (1997 Bronze, 1998 Bronze, 1999 Bronze)

Sinan Kanbir, Ph.D.

  • AlphaStar Academy Instructor since 2017
  • Ph.D. Mathematics Education, Illinois State University (2016)
  • Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin
  • Author of eight research/math contest prep books
  • Item Writer for CWML, MathCON, WMC State Math Contests
  • Math Contest Coach for AMC 8,10,12, AIME, USA(J)MO (20+ years)

John Sinkovic, Ph.D.

  • A* Math Instructor (2017: Summer Camp, Winter Camp)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Combinatorics and Optimization, University of Waterloo (2015–Current)
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Math and Statistics, Georgia State University (2013–2015)
  • Ph.D., Mathematics, Brigham Young University (2013)
  • Ph.D. Student, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, The Netherlands (2007–2009)

Zarathustra (Zeb) Brady, Ph.D.

  • A* Math Instructor (2015: Summer Camp; 2016: Summer Camp)
  • Ph.D., Mathematics, Stanford University (2017)
  • BA, Caltech (2012)
  • USA Math Olympiad Summer Program (MOSP) instructor (2008, 2010)
  • ACM International Collegiate Programming ContestWorld Finals (2008)
  • International Mathematical Olympiad (2006: Gold)

Eric Xu

  • A* Math Instructor (2014: Summer Camp; 2015: Summer Camp)
  • A* CS Instructor (2017: Year-round Courses)
  • Stanford Class of 2019
  • Facebook Hacker Cup (2017: Top 200)
  • Google Code Jam (2016: Round 2 Qualifier; 2017: Round 2 Qualifier)
  • ACM-ICPC Pacific Northwest Regional (2016: 3rd Place Team)
  • USACO Platinum Observer (2015-present)
  • USACO Gold Contestant (2014-2015)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2013-2015)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2011-2012)
  • ARML (2014: 5th Place Team)
  • CHMMC (2014: 2nd Place Team)

William Luo

  • A* Alumni
  • A* Computer Science Instructor (2017-present)
  • MIT Class of 2022
  • USACO Finalist (2017)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2016 – present)
  • USAPhO Silver Medalist (2017)
  • Who Wants To Be A Mathematician National Finalist (2017)
  • AMC 12 Distinguished Honor Roll (2017)
  • USAMTS Silver Medalist (2016)
  • AMC 10 Distinguished Honor Roll (2016)
  • AIME qualifier (2016, 2017)

Spencer Compton

  • MIT Class of 2022
  • International Olympiad in Informatics USA Team Member (2018)
  • USACO Finalist (2017,2018)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2016-present)
  • Stetson U. Programming Contest (2016, 2017: 1st Place)
  • U. of Central Florida Programming Tournament (2016, 2017: 1st Place)
  • U. of Florida Programming Contest (2016, 2017: 1st Place)

Amanda Du

  • A* Alumni
  • A* Computer Science Instructor (2016)
  • Northeastern U. Class of 2021
  • USACO Finalist (2016)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2015-2017)
  • Computer Science and Math Tutor at the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula (2016-2017)

Tyler Zhu

  • A* Alumni
  • A* Computer Science Instructor (2017 – present)
  • UC Berkeley Class of 2022
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2017 – present)
  • CHMMC 5th place (2016)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2017)
  • AIME Qualifier (2014-2017)

Alex Gu

  • A* Computer Science Summer Camp – TA (2016)
  • MIT Class of 2022
  • USACO Finalist (2016)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2015 – present)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2015-2017)
  • USAPhO, Honorable Mention (2017)
  • Science Bowl National Qualifier (2016)

Michael Chen

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Instructor (Summer 2018)
  • Yale Class of 2023
  • USACO Platinum (2017 – present)
  • Canyon Crest Academy Programming Team Captain (2015 – present)
  • San Diego Math Circle CS Instructor (2015-present)
  • ACSL 1st Place Individual (2017)
  • ACSL All Star 4th place team (2017)
  • Stanford ProCo Novice Round 1st Place (2018)
  • Internet and mobile app developer (2016 – present)

Chris Xiong

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Instructor (Summer 2018)
  • UC Berkeley Class of 2022
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2016 – present)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2016)

Lucas Xia

  • A* Alumni
  • UCLA Class of 2022
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2017 – present)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2017)
  • USAPhO National Semifinalist (2016, 2017)

Bennett Liu

  • AlphaStar Instructor (Since 2018)
  • UT Austin Class of 2024 (Turing Scholars Program)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2016-2020)
  • Harker Programming Club Lead Problem Writer (Since 2018)
  • AIME Qualifier (2019, 2020)

Kevin Liu

  • A* Computer Science Summer Camp – TA (2016)
  • MIT Class of 2022
  • USACO Finalist (2016)
  • USACO Platinum (2015-present)
  • USAJMO qualifier (2016)
  • AIME qualifier (2014-2018)

Avichal Goel

  • A* Alumni
  • A* Computer Science Instructor (since 2016)
  • MIT Class of 2022
  • USACO Finalist (2016)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2015-present)
  • AIME Qualifier (2015-2017)
  • Stanford ProCo (2016: 3rd place)
  • Harker Programming Invitational (2016: 1st Place)
  • HP CodeWars (2015-2016: 1st Place)
  • Codeforces Division 1 (2016-Present)

Riya Arora

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Instructor (2017 – present)
  • MIT Class of 2023
  • USACO Finalist (2017, 2018)
  • Zero Robotics International Space Station Finals (2016)
  • FIRST Robotics Challenge World Championships (2016-2018)
  • Codeforces Division 1 (2017-present)
  • Guy Emanuele FIRST Lego League Robotics Mentor (2015-2017)
  • NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (2017, 2018 National: Honorable Mention, 2017 San Francisco Bay Area Competition: Winner)

Adam Zheng

  • AlphaStar Instructor (Summer 2018)
  • MIT Class of 2023
  • USACO Finalist (2017, 2018)
  • USACO Platinum (2016-present)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2017)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2018)
  • Lecturer, San Diego Math Circle

Andrew Lin

  • MIT Class of 2022
  • A-Star Instructor since 2016
  • Miller MathCounts Coach since 2014
  • MOSP qualifier (2016), USAJMO winner (2016)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2017)
  • Perfect AIME (2017), Perfect AMC 10 (2016 A, B)

Harry Wang

  • A* Math Instructor (2015: Summer Camp; 2017: Summer Camp)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2015-2017)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2014)
  • MATHCOUNTS National Competition (2014: 1st Place Team)
  • Caltech-Harvey Mudd Math Competition (2016: 5th Place Individual)
  • USA Physics Team Member (2017)
  • USACO Platinum Qualification (2016)

Andrew Cai

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Math Instructor (summer 2018)
  • UC Berkeley Class of 2022
  • 2016 USAJMO qualifier
  • 2014-2018 AIME qualifier
  • 2017 CHMMC 6th place individual
  • 2017 USAPhO Honorable Mention

Michelle Shen

  • Park Tudor and Sycamore School MathCounts Coach since 2014
  • Regeneron STS Scholar (2018)
  • Siemens Semifinalist (2017)
  • Math Prize for Girls Olympiad (2017: Bronze)
  • ARML (2017: 15th place individual)
  • PUMaC (2016: 6th place in combinatorics)
  • HMMT (2017: 3rd place in combinatorics, 28th place individual)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2015-2016)
  • MOSP Qualifier (2015)

Stanley Wang

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Math Instructor (since 2017)
  • Lynbrook HS Class of 2019
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2016-present)
  • MOP qualifier (2017)
  • USAMO qualifier (2016, 2017)
  • AMC 10A perfect score (2017)
  • 2015 National Mathcounts qualifier
  • Miller MathCounts coach since 2015

 

Caleb Ji

  • A-Star Math Instructor (since 2015)
  • International Math Olympiad (2014: Bronze)
  • MOP qualifier
  • Asia Pacific Math Olympiad (2014 Honorable Mention)
  • Canadian Math Olympiad (2014: 3rd place)
  • USAJMO (2013: Honorable Mention)
  • USACO gold
  • MathCounts State (2012: Winner)
  • PUMaC (2014: 1st Place Number Theory)

Tristan Shin

  • A* Math Instructor (2017: Summer Camp)
  • MOP Qualifier (2016)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2016-2018), AIME Qualifier (2014-2018)
  • AMC 12 Perfect Score (2018), AMC 8 Perfect Score (2014)
  • California State MathCounts 1st place team (2014)
  • Online Math Open Problem Writer, CCA Math Bonanza Head Problem Writer, Head Proctor
  • Individual Placement at ASMT, BMT, CHMMC, HMMT
  • USACO Gold

Stan Zhang

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • MIT Class of 2023
  • MOP (2016, 2017)
  • USAMO Honorable Mention (2016) , TST (2017)
  • USACO Finalist (2017)
  • AMC12 perfect score (2018)
  • 1st place team (HMMT2018, SMT2018, BMT2017, CHMMC2016, ARML2016)
  • Mathcounts CA state (1st place countdown, 2nd place written 2015)
  • Fremont High School Math Club President (2017- present)

Victor Chu

  • Class of 2022, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • USAMO Qualifier (2016-2017)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2015)
  • Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament November Theme Round 3rd Place (2017)
  • Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS), Boston University Attendee (2016)
  • A* Math USA(J)MO Class Attendee (2015)

Austin Lei

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Math Instructor (since 2017)
  • Miller MathCounts Coach (since 2015)
  • Lynbrook HS Class of 2019
  • USAMO Qualifier (2018), USAJMO Qualifier (2015-2016)
  • AIME Qualifier (2014-2018)
  • Individual top tens at ASMT, BMT, SMT, BAMO

Jennifer Zhu

  • Harvard Class of 2022
  • Young Ivy Math Instructor
  • Grown up in AMC and MathCounts

Vincent Huang

  • A* Math Instructor (2018 Summer Camp)
  • Plano West Senior High School Class of 2019
  • USA International Mathematical Olympiad Team (2017: Silver)
  • USAMO Honorable Mention (2017)
  • USACO Platinum Division
  • MOP Qualifier (2015, 2016, 2017)
  • SIEMENS Competition Semifinalist (2017)

Stanley Zhang

  • UCSD ECE ’21
  • UCSD ACM ICPC Team (2017-18)
  • USACO Gold
  • AIME Qualifier (2015-17)

Neil Chowdhury

  • MIT Class of 2026
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2021)
  • USAJMO Qualifier
  • USAPhO Honorable Mention
  • USNCO Study Camp
  • Regeneron Science Talent Search 5th Place

Aryadeepta De

  • Alphastar Alumni
  • UC San Diego class of 2026
  • USACO Gold contestant (2020-present)
  • ACSL Gold Medalist (2022)
  • AIME Qualifier (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
  • MathCon Gold Medalist (2022)

William Zhao

  • Alphastar Alumni
  • UCLA Class of 2026
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2019-2022)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2019)
  • USAPhO Honorable Mention (2021)
  • AIME Qualifier (2018-2022)

Iva Goel

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • MIT Class of 2026
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2020)
  • Teaching Assistant at AlphaStar (2020)

Christina Li

USA team member, European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (2022)

USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2022)

AIME qualifier (2021)

Atharv Jain

  • USACO Finalist (2022)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2021)
  • Codeforces Master
  • ACSL Team, 1st Place (2021)

Alex Sima

  • Alphastar Alumni
  • Yale University Class of 2026
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2020)
  • 2-times AIME Qualifier

Anastasija Trajanova

  • University of Manchester (2017-2020)
  • Coaching Macedonia Math Olympiad Teams (2020-Present)
  • Co-author of ”25 years Junior Macedonian Mathematical Olympiad 1997 2021”
  • Junior Balkan Math Olympiad (2014: Bronze)
  • European Girls Math Olympiad (2015 Participant)
  • Balkan Math Olympiad (2017 Participant)

Jennifer Zhang

  • MIT Class of 2025
  • AlphaStar Academy TA (2018-2020)
  • AIME Qualifier (6 times)
  • Math Prize For Girls Participant (4 times)
  • Stanford Math Tournament – 3rd Place Team
  • Caltech Math Tournament – 5th Place Team

Sejal Rathi

  • MIT Class of 2026
  • AlphaStar Math Curriculum Developer (2021- Current)
  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • USA(J)MO Qualifier (3 times)
  • AIME Qualifier (5 times)
  • Math Prize for Girls invitee (2018-2021)

Jennifer Wilson

  • EdD in Curriculum and Instruction (2018)
  • 20+ Years Teaching Experience
  • Former MathCounts Coach

Henry Wang

  • UCLA Class of 2026
  • AlphaStar Math Curriculum Developer (2021 – Present)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2020-2022)
  • AIME Qualifier (2017-2022)
  • Berkeley Mini Math Tournament – First Place (2017)
  • USACO Platinum (2021-2022)
  • USAPHO Qualifier (2021-2022)
  • SMT 1st Place Team (2022)
  • CHMMC 8th Place (2021)
  • SMT 9th place Geometry (2021)
  • AIME Qualifier (2017-2022)

Edwin Xie

  • Stanford Class of 2026
  • AlphaStar Math Curriculum Developer (2020 – Present)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2019)
  • AIME Qualifier (2017-2020)

Claire Chen

  • MIT Class of 2025
  • AIME Qualifier (2019-2021)
  • Math Prize for Girls Qualifier (2019, 2020)

Anna Bessesen

  • MS in Mathematics Education, University of Utah (2015)
  • 10+ years teaching experience
  • MathCount Coach (2011-2014)
  • MathCounts State Participant

Adam Tang

  • Harvey Mudd class of 2026
  • AlphaStar Math Curriculum Developer (2019 – Current)
  • USAMO Silver (2022)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2019)
  • AIME Qualifier (2017-2022)
  • Stanford Math Tournament – 1st Place Team (2022), 2nd Place Team (2021)

Albert Shi Zhu

  • Rice Class of 2026
  • 3x AIME qualifier
  • 2x USAMTS Bronze Medalist

Sanjana Das

  • MIT Class of 2025
  • EGMO gold medal (2020 and 2021)
  • USA TST group (for IMO 2020 and 2021)
  • MOP qualifier (2019 and 2020)
  • Putnam honorable mention (2021)
  • AIME perfect score (2020)

Claire Zhang

  • MIT Class of 2026
  • European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (2021:Gold medal)
  • USACO Finalist (2022)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2021)
  • USA Mathematical Talent Search Gold Prize (2021)

Tarushii Goel

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • MIT Class of 2026
  • European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (2021:Silver medal)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2021)

Vivian Han

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • MIT Class of 2026
  • European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (2021:Bronze medal)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2019)

Conor Kennedy

  • Stanford U Class of 2026
  • USACO Finalist (2021,2022)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2019)
  • 2nd place, Division 1, UCF HS Programming Tournament (2020)
  • 1st place, Advanced Division of PLU HS Programming Contest (2019)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2021)

Wesley Hung

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • UC Santa Barbara Class of 2025
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2019)

Shiva Oswal

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • USACO Platinum Division (since 2020)
  • AIME Qualifier (2018-2021)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2019)
  • Codeforces International Master
  • Problemsetter of Codeforces Round 736

Purev Batdelger

  • University of Waterloo Class of 2022
  • International Mathematical Olympiad (2016: Bronze Medal)

Abhinav Kommula

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • UC Berkeley Class of 2025
  • USACO Platinum Division (since 2018)
  • Codeforces Master, Division 1
  • Four-time AIME Qualifier

Wilson Wu

  • A* Alumni
  • UC Berkeley class of 2024 – Computer Science
  • USACO Gold
  • Computer Science Mentors – Junior Mentor for EECS 16A (2020 – 2021)
  • Academic Intern – Data 8 (2021)

Leon Zhao

  • University of Delaware class of 2025
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2021)
  • 2 x AIME Qualifier

Freddie Tang

  • MIT Class of 2025
  • USACO Finalist (2020)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (Jan 2019-present)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2020)

Anthony Wang

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • MIT Class of 2026
  • AlphaStar Instructor (2021: summer camp)
  • USACO Finalist (2020,2021)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (since 2020)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2018,2019)

Jeffrey Hu

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • USAPhO Bronze Medalist (2022)
  • AIME Qualifier (2018 – 2022)
  • USACO Gold Contestant (2019 – present)
  • Berkeley Math Tournament (2021: 10th place Calculus)

Suzy Lou

  • MS Computer Science, expected Stanford 2022
  • USAJMO qualifier (2013)
  • Math Prize for Girls medalist (Silver 2012, Gold 2013, Bronze 2014)
  • Math Prize for Girls Honorable Mention (2012-2014)
  • MIT PRIMES alumni
  • BS Mathematics, Stanford 2020

Mehmet Ozum

  • Coached students for regional and republic Maths competitions for 15 years
  • 20+ years of teaching experience in middle & high schools

Osman Demirel

  • M.Ed Teaching Mathematics
  • Math Coach 2008-2016
  • Math Olympiad Team Coordinator 2004-2008

Begench Ovezov, M.Ed.

  • Alpha Star Instructor (2009 Summer Camp)
  • 10+ years of teaching experience in middle & high school: Pre-Algebra & AP Calc. AB
  • M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction: Gifted Education (December 2013)
  • Coaching middle and high school students for MATHCOUNTS, AMC8, & AMC10
  • Arizona State MATHCOUNTS team coach (2011)

Luke Choi

  • Avon HS Class of 2021
  • AIME Qualifier (2018-2021)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2019-2021)
  • Harvard-MIT Invitational Competition Qualifier (2021)
  • MathCounts Nationals (2017)
  • USACO Gold (2021)

Swapnil Garg

  • MIT Class of 2022
  • MOP Participant (2016)
  • USA(J)MO Qualifier (2012-2016)
  • AMC 12 Perfect Scorer (2016)
  • USAPhO Gold (2016)
  • IOL Team Alternate (2016)
  • NACLO Invitational Participant (2015, 2016)
  • National MathCounts Champion (2014)

Justin Li

  • USACO Platinum
  • ICPC North America Championship Qualifier
  • CodeForces Division 1
  • A* Alumni
  • UCLA Class of 2023

Joshua Pan

  • AlphaStar Instructor (since 2017)
  • Harvard Class of 2022
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2015-2018)
  • Google Code-in Grand Prize Winner (2016)
  • Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology Semifinalist (2016)

Aaron Lamoreaux

  • Double Major in Math and Computer Science (Turing) at UT Austin (Class of 2023)
  • Undergraduate Research Assistant with Dr. Isil Dillig, submitted to PLDI 2021
  • Software Engineering Intern at Jane Street (2021)
  • USACO Finalist (2019)
  • USACO Platinum (2016-present)
  • ICPC World Finalist (2020)
  • UCF Programming Contest Winner (2019)
  • MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge Honorable Mention (2019)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2017)
  • AIME Qualifier (2017, 2018, 2019)

Steven Hao

  • B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics, MIT (2018)
  • International Olympiad in Informatics (Silver ’13, Gold ’14)
  • International Collegiate Programming Contest, MIT team member, 6th place (2016)
  • A-Star Alumnus
  • A-Star Instructor (2012-2014)
  • Code Forces International Master
  • Software engineer, Scale AI (2018-present)

Walden Yan

  • AlphaStar Instructor (since 2020)
  • Harvard Class of 2024
  • International Olympiad in Informatics (2020: Gold medal)
  • USACO Finalist (2018-2020)
  • MIT PRIMES Alumnus (2018-2020)
  • MIT Battlecode 2nd Place (2019)
  • Google Code Jam Round 3 Qualifier (2018-2020)

Yang Yan

  • A* CS Instructor (2015: Summer Camp)
  • MIT Class of 2021
  • USACO Finalist (2014)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2013-2016)
  • USA(J)MO Qualifier (2015-2016)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2013)
  • MathCounts National Finalist (2012)
  • Intel International Science and Engineering Fair finalist

Hugh Zhang

  • A* CS Instructor (2015: Summer Camp)
  • Stanford Class of 2019
  • USACO Finalist (2014)
  • USACO Gold Contestant (2013-present)

Harun Gunaydin

  • A* CS Instructor (2015: Summer Camp)
  • Drexel University Class of 2019
  • Balkan Olympiad in Informatics (2014: Silver)
  • Turkish National Team Coach (2014-2015)

Tony Wang

  • A* CS Instructor (2015: Summer Camp)
  • USACO Finalist (2013, 2015)
  • USACO Gold Contestant (2013-present)

Kyle Cui

  • A* CS Instructor (2016: Summer Camp)
  • Brown University Class of 2020
  • AIME Qualifier (2012-2015)
  • USACO Silver Contestant
  • National Merit Scholar Semifinalist (2015)

Jonathan Shoemaker

  • USACO Finalist (2017, 2018)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2016, 2017)
  • AIME Qualifier (2014-2018)
  • AP CSA Perfect Score
  • HP Codewars (2017: 1st, 2018: 2nd)
  • UCF Online Programming Contest (2016: 3rd, 2017: 1st)
  • Google Code Jam Round 3 Qualifier (2018)

Anthony Ou

  • AlphaStar Instructor (Since 2019)
  • MIT class of 2023
  • International Physics Olympiad Silver Medal (2018)
  • Princeton Physics Competition Gold Medal (2018)
  • Perfect Score F=ma 2019 A
  • USAPhO Gold Medal (2017-2018)

Andy Tang

  • Monta Vista HS class of 2020
  • USACO finalist (2019)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2017 – present)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2016-2018)
  • AMC 10A perfect scorer (2018)
  • Stanford Proco Advance division 5th Place (2019)
  • Top 10 at Stanford and Berkeley Math Tournaments (2018)

Sanjit Bhat

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • UT Austin Turing Scholar Class of 2023
  • Third-year student in MIT PRIMES program (2017–Present)
  • First-author of top-tier Computer Security Conference paper (2019)
  • Second-author of top-tier Computer Security Workshop paper (2018)
  • Regeneron Science Talent Search, Scholar (2019)
  • Siemens Competition, Semifinalist (2017)
  • USACO Gold (2016–Present)
  • MIT Blueprint Hackathon, 1st Place Overall (2019)
  • Acton-Boxborough RHS CS Club, Captain (2017–Present)

Eric Tong

  • USACO Finalist (2017)
  • USACO Platinum (2015-Present)
  • Google Code Jam Round 2 Qualifier (2017)
  • AIME Qualifier (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
  • National Science Bowl Finalist (2018)
  • USABO Semifinalist (2018)

Kaitlyn Scheib

  • M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Utah
  • B.S. Chemical Engineering, BYU
  • Research intern at Los Alamos National Lab (Summer 2018)

Konwoo Kim

  • F. W. Buchholz HS Class of 2019
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2019 – Present)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2018), USAJMO Qualifier (2016)
  • AIME Qualifier (2014 – 2019)

Mehul Raheja

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • UC Berkeley Class of 2023
  • USACO Finalist (2018)
  • USACO Platinum (2017 – Present)
  • USAChO Semifinalist (2018-2019)
  • Harker Programming Invitational – 3rd place
  • Virginia Tech Programming Contest – 4th place
  • DECA 4 time ICDC Qualifier

Eric Zhang

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Instructor (2017: Winter Camp)
  • Harvard Class of 2023
  • International Olympiad in Informatics (2018: Gold), US Team member (2017, 2018)
  • USACO Finalist (2016-2018)
  • MOP Qualifier (2017), TST Group (2018, 2019)
  • USAMO Honorable Mention (2017)
  • US Physics Team Invitee (2017-2018)
  • Coauthor of a forthcoming physics book (F=ma Contests: 2011-2018 Solutions Manual) published by the AAPT

Grace Cai

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • MIT Class of 2023
  • Regeneron Finalist, Scholar (2019)
  • Cyber Security Awareness Worldwide, Red Team Finalist (2018)
  • USACO Finalist (2017)
  • Girls Go CyberStart National, 2nd Place (2018)
  • National Center for Women in Technology, Maryland Affiliate Award Winner (2017)
  • Mongomery Blair HS Computer Team Captain / Code Girls Captain

Katherine Tian

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • Harvard Class of 2023
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2017 – present)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2016)
  • Math Prize for Girls Honorable Mention (2018)
  • AIME Qualifier (2014 – 2019)
  • Regeneron STS Scholar (2019)
  • Siemens Competition National Finalist (2017)
  • USAPhO Semifinalist (2016, 2017), Honorable Mention (2017)
  • Harker Programming Club President
  • Girls Programming League (GPL), Founder and President
  • MathCounts coaching at Harker Middle School
  • Teaching Competition Math at Harker Math Club

Ethan Guo

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Instructor (2017 – present)
  • UC Berkeley Class of 2023
  • USACO Finalist (2019)
  • Codeforces Division 1 (2018 – present)
  • Facebook Hacker Cup, 2nd Round T-Shirt Winner (2018)
  • Lockheed Martin Code Quest, Global First Place (2019)
  • Harker Programming Invitational, First Place (2019)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2019)
  • USAPhO Semifinalist, Honorable Mention (2018, 2019)
  • NACLO Semifinalist (2017, 2018)

Anne Ouyang

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Computer Science Winter Camp TA (2017)
  • MIT Class of 2023
  • USACO Finalist (2018)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2017 – present)
  • Virginia Tech High School Programming Contest (2017: 3rd place, 2018: 9th place)
  • Harker Programming Invitational (2017: 6th Place, 2018: 4th Place)
  • Cyber Security Awareness Worldwide, HSF Finalist (2017), Red Team Finalist (2018)
  • CTF Player: HarkerCTF 2nd Place (2018), PicoCTF 6th Place (2018)
  • Piedmont Hills HS Math Team Captain (2016 – Present)
  • Piedmont Hills HS Computer Science Team Captain (2017 – Present)

Aryan Dua

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • UT Austin Class of 2026 (Turing Scholars Program)
  • USACO Platinum Division (since 2020)
  • Irvington DECA Director of Marketing (2019-2020)

Sameer Pai

  • MIT Class of 2024
  • USACO Platinum Contestant
  • Candidate Master on Codeforces
  • American Computer Science League national winner (2018, 2020)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2018)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2019, 2020)
  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • 6th place in B Division at PUMaC
  • Gold Medal and first place team at World Math Team Championship
  • Two time qualifier for USAPhO Semifinals (Bronze Medal)

Yibo Huang

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Instructor (Since 2018)
  • Virginia Tech University Class of 2023
  • USACO Finalist (2018)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2016 – present)
  • Stanford ProCo (2018 Advanced: 1st place)
  • Lockheed Martin CodeQuest (2018 Advanced: 1st Place)

Eric Wei

  • CMU Class of 2024
  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • USACO Finalist (2020)
  • USACO Platinum (2018)
  • Code Forces International Master
  • Two-times USAJMO, two-times USAMO qualifier
  • MathCounts Nationals Countdown qualifier

Metin Aktulga, Ph.D.

  • Assistant Professor, Dept. of CSE, Michigan State U. (2014-present)
  • International Olympiad in Informatics (2000)
  • Computing Olympiad Coach (10+ years)

Daniel Wisdom

  • MIT Class of 2023
  • Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Class of 2019
  • USACO Finalist (2017)
  • USACO Platinum (2016-)
  • USAPhO Bronze (2018)
  • CSAW 2018 Red Team Finalist
  • HSCTF 2017 2nd Place

Nathan Gong

  • Georgia Tech U Class of 2026
  • USACO Platinum (2021)
  • AlphaStar Teaching Assistant (2021: summer camp)
  • FRC Robotics World Finalist

Flora Huang

  • Stanford University Class of 2025
  • Alphastar Alumni
  • USACO Gold Contestant
  • Girls Who Code – San Jose President (2019, 2020)
  • AIME Qualifier
  • USESO Camp Qualifier (2018-2020)
  • Siemens Semifinalist (2017)

Chris Pan

  • Princeton U Class of 2023
  • USACO Finalist (2018)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2017)

Aryan Kumar

  • MIT Class of 2025
  • USACO Platinum Division (since 2019)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2019)

Nathan Chen

  • USACO Finalist (2019, 2020)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2017)
  • AIME Qualifer (2018, 2019, 2020)
  • CodeForces Division 1 (2019-present)

Nathan Wang

  • USACO Finalist (2019, 2020)
  • USACO Platinum (2016-present)
  • Alphastar Alumni
  • 3rd place HPI
  • 7th place VTHSPC 2018
  • 3rd place VTHSPC 2019
  • Three-Time AIME Qualifier
  • DHR AMC 8

Frank Bidak

  • M.A. in Educational Leadership, California State University
  • M.A. in Educational Technology, California State University
  • B.A. Computer Science Teaching
  • Computer Science and Robotics Educator (2004 – Current)
  • VEX Robotics California State Champion Team Coach (2018-2019 Season)

Freya Edholm

  • Stanford Graduate Student (Computational & Mathematical Engineering)
  • MIT graduate (Double Majors: Math with CS & Chemical-Biological Engineering)
  • Write and edit problems for BMT, mathleague.org, USMCA, and Alpha Math Contest
  • Coach for SFBA/NorCal ARML teams
  • Putnam: Scored 28 (median score 2), 2019
  • USABO Semifinalist, 2018
  • ARML: 1st place team, 2017
  • USNCO: High Honors, 2017; Honors, 2016; Semifinalist, 2015-2017
  • AMC 12: Scored 141/150, 2017; Top 1% Distinguished Honor Roll, 2017-2018
  • NACLO: 11th place on Open Round, 2017; Invitational Round participant, 2017-2018
  • USAJMO Participant, 2015

Liubomir Chiriac

  • A* Math Instructor (2014: Summer Camp)
  • Ph.D. Candidate, Caltech
  • B.A., Princeton (2010)
  • International Math Olympiad (2004: Bronze Medal; 2005: Bronze Medal; 2006: Bronze Medal)
  • Balkan Math Olympiad (2006: Silver Medal; 2005: Bronze Medal)
  • Author of the book for Olympiad students: “Competitive Geometry“
  • Scott Russell Johnson Prize for Excellence in Graduate Research and Teaching, Caltech (2013)
  • Coach of the Caltech Putnam Team (2013: Team Ranked in Top 5)
  • Apostol Award for Excellence in Teaching, Caltech (2014)

Vikram Sundar

  • A* Math Instructor (2014: Summer Camp)
  • Harvard Class of 2018
  • USAMO (2013: Honorable Mention)
  • MOP Qualifier (2013)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2011-2014)
  • Physics Team Member (2014)
  • HMMT Invitational Qualifier (2014)
  • BAMO Grand Prize (2014: Winner)
  • USACO Platinum (2012-Present)

Vefa Goksel, Ph.D

  • Marshall H.Stone Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts-Amherst (2020-Present).
  • Ph.D, Mathematics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2020).
  • Honored Instructor Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2015).
  • Math Graduate Teaching Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2017).
  • Coordinator in the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad 2014, Turkey.
  • Deputy Leader of Turkish National Math Olympiad Team, Balkan Mathematical Olympiad 2012, Turkey.
  • International Mathematical Olympiad – Silver Medal (2009).
  • Balkan Mathematical Olympiad – Silver Medal (2009)

Stanley Wei

  • UT Austin Turing Scholars Honors Program, Class of 2023
  • Head Coach, Sartartia Middle School MathCounts Team (2nd place at Texas state competition)
  • Putnam Top 350 Scorer
  • USACO Platinum
  • USAPhO Honorable Mention
  • AIME Top 200 Scorer
  • USNCO Semifinalist
  • AMC Distinguished Honor Roll
  • Texas ARML Gold Team Member

Sylvia Jin

  • A* Alumnus
  • AlphaStar Winter Camp Instructor (2019, 2020)
  • UC Berkeley Class of 2022 (Math, Statistics)
  • Berkeley Math Tournament Problem Writer (2018 – Present)
  • AIME qualifier (2015 – 2018)
  • Math Prize for Girls qualifier (2016 – 2018)
  • SMT (2018: 5th place team)
  • BMT (2018: 8th place team)

Guanpeng Xu

  • MIT Class of 2023
  • USAMO Winner (2018,2019)
  • MOP (2016)
  • Putnam Honorable Mention (2020)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2014-2019)
  • USAPhO Silver (2017,2018)
  • Perfect USAMO Index (2016)
  • Coach, CCES MathCounts team (2016)
  • National Mathcounts Written Champion, Countdown Runner-up (2015)

Patrick Lin

  • A* Math Instructor (2015: Summer Camp)
  • USA(J)MO Qualifier (201-2013, 2015)
  • BAMO Grand Prize Winner (2014)
  • SMT (2014: 2nd Place Team)
  • USAPhO (2014: Gold Medal)
  • IOL US Team Alternate (2015)

Ali E. Ersoz

  • A* Math Instructor (2016: Summer Camp)
  • 20+ years of experience in Gifted Math Teaching
  • 10+ years of MathCounts Coaching
  • California fully credentialed Math teacher

Hikmet Erdogan

  • A* Math Instructor (2015: Summer Camp; 2016: Summer Camp)
  • B.S. in Mathematics, Middle East Technical University (2011)
  • MathCounts and AMC Coach, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas (2010-present)
  • Las Vegas Review Journal and Sierra Nevada College (2015: Educator of the Month for April)
  • The Rogers Foundation Innovation Grant Recipient (2015)
  • Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grants (DMEG) Recipient, MAA Grants (2015)
  • Math Hero Award by The Raytheon Company Recipient (2014)

Lazar Ilic

  • A* Math Instructor (2016: Summer Camp)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2013, 2015-2016)
  • Siemens Regional (2015: Semifinalist)
  • USAMTS (2014: Perfect Score)
  • USAPhO (2016: Semifinalist)
  • HMMT (2014: 6th in Combinatorics)
  • MathCounts National (2012: 13th Place)

Fatima Halbutogullari

  • A* Math Instructor (2017: Winter Camp, Summer Camp; 2016: Winter Camp (T.A.))
  • B.A. in Mathematics, UC Davis (2016)

Guillermo Reyes Souto, Ph.D.

  • A* Math Instructor (2017: Summer Camp)
  • Assistant Professor, Mathematics, Univ. of Southern California
  • Ph.D. (Honorary), Applied Mathematics and Partial Differential Equations, Autonomous University of Madrid, (1999)
  • M.S. (Honorary), Applied Mathematics and Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University (1992)
  • Coordination Committee Member, International Math Olympiad (2008)
  • International Math Olympiad (1985-1986)

Daniel Guo

  • A* Math Instructor (2016: Summer Camp; 2017: Summer Camp)
  • MOSP Participant (2014)
  • USAJMO Winner (2014)
  • USA(J)MO Qualifier (2012-2016)
  • BAMO Grand Prize Winner (2014-2015)

Jonathan Huang

  • A* Math Instructor (2017: Summer Camp)
  • Harvard Class of 2021
  • 4 time USAMO Qualifier
  • 3 time USAJMO Qualifier
  • AIME Perfect Scorer (2016-2017)
  • US Physics Olympiad Team Member (2016)
  • USNCO High Honors (2016)
  • ARML (2015: 3rd Place Team)
  • Mathcounts (2012: CA National Team Member)

Justin Stevens

  • A* Math Instructor (2015: Summer Camp; 2016: Summer Camp; 2017: Summer Camp)
  • Author of the paper for Olympiad Students, Olympiad Number Theory Through Challenging Problems
  • 4 time AIME Qualifier
  • Mathcounts National Qualifier (2012)
  • SMT (2013: Top 10 General; 2014: Top 5 Algebra)
  • Nevada Prize Exam in Mathematics (2014: District Winner; 2015: State Winner)

Jocelyn Zhu

  • MIT Class of 2025
  • AlphaStar Faculty (2018 & 2020)
  • US Physics Olympiad SemiFinalist and Bronze Medalist (2019)
  • AIME Qualifier (2017 – 2019)
  • MIT Math Prize for Girls (2018)
  • Pleasanton Math Circle Lecturer

Kaan Dokmeci

  • A-Star instructor summer 2016 and 2017
  • MIT class of 2022
  • USAJMO qualifier 2014, USAMO qualifier 2015 – 2018
  • Siemens Semifinalist 2016, 2017
  • Regeneron STS Semifinalist 2018
  • USACO platinum 2017
  • AMC 12 perfect score 2018, AIME perfect score 2017

Cory Hixson

  • MIT Class of 2021
  • AIME qualifier (2016, 2017)
  • HMMT Problem Committee
  • Individual High Score Award for Florida A1 (ARML 2017)
  • Perfect Score on 2015 AP Statistics Test
  • Individual Placement at 2017 CMIMC

Nitin Kumar

  • AlphaStar alumni
  • USAJMO Qualifier 2017, 2018
  • USACO Top 30 in Platinum 2018-19
  • USAPhO Silver Medalist 2019
  • Mountain View HS Math Club President 2018-19
  • Blach Math Club Head Coach 2017-2019

Arthur Chen

  • Columbia University Applied Math ’21
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2014)
  • USAPhO Semifinalist (2014)
  • AIME Qualifier (2012-2017)

Anders Olsen

  • MIT Class of 2022
  • USA TST Group (2017)
  • MOP Qualifier (2016)
  • HMMT Combinatorics 1st place, Overall 3rd place (2018)
  • ARML 11th place (2018)
  • Online Math Open 1st place (2017 Spring, 2018 Spring)

Michael Zhang

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • MIT Class of 2023
  • USAMO Qualifier (2018, 2019), USAJMO Qualifier (2015)
  • USACO Finalist (2018)
  • USAPhO Qualifier (2018, 2019)
  • AIME Qualifier (2014-2019)
  • Redwood Middle School MathCounts Coach

Justin Sun

  • Saratoga High School class of 2019
  • Redwood Middle School MathCounts coach (2016-present)
  • Redwood Middle School Math Club director (2017-present)
  • AIME Qualifier (2016-2019)
  • Californian Math League (CaML) perfect scorer
  • USACO Platinum (2018-present)
  • BMT 2nd place team, top 8 discrete (2019)
  • Ross Mathematics Program (2017-2019

Helen Pang

  • Harvard Class of 2023
  • AIME Qualifier (2018)
  • Math Prize for Girls Olympiad (2018)
  • ARML State A Team (2017-2019)
  • USACO Silver (2018)
  • NCWiT Aspirations In Computing State Affiliate Winner (2018)
  • Los Altos Hacks IV Winner (2019)
  • Tech Startup Development Intern (2018-present)
  • US Presidential Scholar Semifinalist (2019)

Jim Murphy

  • M.Ed., Elementary Education, University of South Carolina (1999)
  • Math Tournament Coach, Greater Canton Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2007-2008)
  • Math Teacher for Grades 4-6 (24 years) – OH, SC, TX, and Seoul, South Korea

Nathan Hu

  • West Lafayette HS class of 2019
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2015, 2016)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2018)
  • USAPhO Silver (2018), Bronze (2017)
  • USNCO Honors (2018)

Ali Unver, Ph.D.

  • Senior Test R & D Engineer, Intel Corporation (2015 – Present)
  • Process Technology Development Engineer, Intel Corporation (2010 – 2015)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, UCLA Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (2009)
  • Research and Teaching Associate, Arizona State University (2004 – 2008)
  • PhD, Mathematics, Arizona State University (2008)
  • MS, Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University (2003)
  • BS, Electronics and Communication Engineering, ITU (2002)

David Liu

  • Stanford University Class of 2023
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2017), USAMO Qualifier (2018-2019)
  • USNCO Finalist (2018)
  • USAPhO Semifinalist (2018-2019)
  • USABO Semifinalist (2019)
  • WW-P Math Tournament Lead Director (2016-2019)
  • WWP^2 ARML Captain (2018, 5th place)
  • NJ Governor’s School in the Sciences Scholar (2018

Shreyas Ramamurthy

  • UC Berkeley Class of 2025
  • AlphaStar TA (2018-2021)
  • AlphaStar Academy Alumni
  • USAJMO Honorable Mention (2019)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2020, 2021)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2018, 2019)
  • AIME Qualifier (2017-2021)

Joey Heerens

  • MIT Class of 2023
  • USA(J)MO Qualifier (2015-17: USAJMO, 2018-19: USAMO)
  • AMC 12 Perfect Scorer (2018: AMC 12 A/B, 2019: AMC 12 A)
  • HMMT (2018: 7th place in Algebra & Number Theory, 24th place individual)
  • ARML Tiebreaker Round (2016-18, 2018 12th place individual)
  • USAPhO (2018 Bronze Medal)

Isaac Browne

  • Top 500 Putnam Exam
  • AIME Qualifier
  • 1st place USAYPT (PEA team captain)
  • USAPHO qualifier
  • IMLEM top scorer Davinci Division
  • Classics degree from PEA
  • 3rd place Crescendo Competition (Violin)

Edward Jin

  • International Chemistry Olympiad Gold Medal (2019)
  • USACO Platinum
  • HMMT February Integration Bee Winner (2019)
  • AIME qualifier (2015 – 2019)
  • CHMMC individual award (2017)
  • BMT individual award (2018)
  • PUMaC team award (2018)
  • MIT Class of 2023 (Double Major in Math and Chemistry, Minor in Computer Science)

Jieun Lim

  • Carnegie Mellon University class of 2026
  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • AlphaStar Math Curriculum Developer (2020)
  • AlphaStar TA (2020 – 2021)
  • AIME Qualifier (3 times)
  • Math Prize for Girls Qualifier (2 times)

Albert Ye

  • AlphaStar Alumni
  • Saratoga High School Class of 2022
  • AIME Qualifier (2018 – 2021)
  • AMC 10 Distinguished Honor Roll (2020)
  • USACO Platinum Contestant (2021 – )
  • SMT 2nd Place Team (2020)

Guillermo Reyes

  • Assistant Professor of Mathematics, University of Southern California
  • PhD in Mathematics, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
  • International Mathematical Olympiads 1985 & 1986
  • Coordinator for the 49 th International Mathematical Olympiad, Madrid 2008

Jeannie Wang

  • UC Berkeley Class of 2024 applied mathematics and statistics major
  • AIME Qualifier
  • Stanford University Mathematics Camp 2019
  • United States Chemistry Olympiad 2019
  • Ross Math Program 2018
  • Florida ARML 2018-2019

Isaac Li

  • UCLA class of 2023
  • Five-time AIME qualifier
  • 199th place in 2019-2020 Putnam Competition
  • USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) Platinum division

Junhee Lee

  • MIT Class of 2022 (Mathematics, Computer Science)
  • USAMO Qualifier (2014-2018)
  • USAJMO Qualifier (2013)
  • National MATHCOUNTS Countdown Qualifier (2014)

Vision

Creating + Connecting Future
(Impossible) Problem Solvers!

Mission

We passionately train gifted and high-achieving students for STEM competitions while teaching math, physics, and computer science and developing their problem-solving skills.

Core Values

TEAMWORK
HONESTY
PASSION
QUALITY


History


The history of AlphaStar Academy roots back to early 2000’s when the team members, Ali Gurel and Fatih Gelgi, came together around the idea of motivating and training gifted students through regional, national and international competitions and Olympiads. With the addition of Mehmet Kaysi and Murat Biyik to the team, the program and curriculum was built over the years and evolved into the A-Star Program known today.

In the beginning, two former Olympians Ali and Fatih were coaching gifted students in South California and Arizona, in Math and Computer Science when they were graduate students at Caltech and Arizona State University, respectively. After years of training, one of their students Zarathustra Brady (a.k.a. Zeb) was invited to the top Math and Computer Science in USA, Math Olympiad Summer Program (2006) and USA Computing Olympiad National Camp (2005-2007). Zeb was also selected to the USA Math Team of six students and won a Gold Medal in the International Math Olympiads 2006.

After receiving their PhD’s, Dr. Ali and Dr. Gelgi joined an education company in South California. They started an Advanced Math and Science Program serving gifted students in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado via regional, state, and national Math and Computer Science camps. At the same time, Dr. Ali was one of the coaches of the USA Math Olympiad team whereas Dr. Gelgi was serving as a coach of the USA Computing Olympiad.

First A-Star courses were introduced in 2008 in South California. The following year, another former math Olympian Mehmet Kaysi joined the team. In 2010, Murat Biyik who served long years in education as a teacher and administrator, joined the team as well.

In the fall of 2010, A-Star courses were introduced to Bay Area community and soon became a well-established program in Bay Area. Year after year, A-Star students had tremendous success in Math and Computer Science competitions with several National finalists in MathCounts, dozens of perfect scorers in American Mathematics Competitions, dozens of winners and finalists in USA Math and Computing Olympiads, and several Gold medalists in International Math Olympiads and International Olympiad in Informatics. A-Star teams also got top rankings in math competitions organized by Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Caltech, and Harvey Mudd.

In 2017, the team members founded AlphaStar Academy to further improve the gifted community and students. As A-Star team, we believe that discovering and training gifted students towards their potential is critical for our country’s future. In that perspective, we try to fulfill our share by providing advanced math and science programs for those students, free master classes and trainings, and supporting the local gifted community via sponsoring math and science events.

We would like to thank many exceptional people who contributed to the development of A-Star program over the years.


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Santa Clara, CA 95051 United
States +1 (650) 273-4089

Our programs & courses are now Fully Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges