Name: Alicia Tsai

School: Lynbrook High School

City: San Jose, CA

Anzan Level:  8 dan

Length of Learning: 12 years

Contest Results:
2025
United Abacus Arithmetic Association Global Cup Championship: 1st Prize
International Abacus Classic Contest: Mental and Abacus dictation: Bronze 2x
First California Online Abacus Contest: Gold and Silver

2024
United Abacus Arithmetic Association Global Cup Championship: 1st Prize
Taiwan International Abacus Invitational Tournament: 2nd Prize
League for Soroban North American Abacus Group C Oral Dictation Contest: 3rd Prize
League for Soroban Education of America Correspondence Contest: Bronze

2023
League for Soroban North American Abacus Group B Oral Dictation Contest: 1st Prize
Taiwan International Abacus Invitational Tournament Award: 3rd Prize
All-USA Correspondence Contest: Silver

2022
North American Correspondence Contest: Bronze

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Scholarly Achievements:
I research plant biochemistry and computational drug discovery at Stanford University and Cornell University. Specifically, at Stanford I've worked with advancing Taxol biosynthesis; at Cornell, I've worked with screening drugs in SGLT-1 inhibition for cardiovascular therapy, with findings currently under review for publication in EJBL Sciences. Additionally, I competed in the 2025 USA Biology Olympiad as a semifinalist.

Social Achievements:
I lead TeamHBV's nationwide media efforts, focused on Hepatitis B outreach in AAPI communities. As my school's ASB PR Commissioner, I've led new school-wide events while coordinating athletic promotions across campus as Director of PR for Athletic Senate. Outside of school, I've accumulated 250+ hours through co-leading workshops for neurodiverse students at FCSN and serving as VP of ArtReach, where I organize art projects supporting local nonprofits.

Testimonial

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I started learning abacus in kindergarten, introduced to it by my grandparents as a simple hobby. Little did I know this would become a 12 year journey that would shape how I approach many parts of my life.

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Over countless weekly classes, drills, and exams, abacus has taught me the value of consistency and showing up. Not just that, but the computational skills have proven invaluable in my academics and research.

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Having the opportunity to teach younger students abacus has also been immensely rewarding. Watching students grasp concepts that once challenged them has deepened my own understanding and patience — teaching constantly reminds me why I fell in love with abacus in the first place.

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I am forever grateful to my teacher and classmates for all their support and, of course, the fun memories!

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