Ionuț Stan, a 12th grade student at the International Informatics High School in Bucharest, is already a well-known name among the elite of international Olympians: he has won only gold medals at all the international mathematics and physics Olympiads in which he has participated. Ionuț Stan recently joined the campaign ‘100 Youngsters for Romania's Development’, initiated by the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania. For Ionuț Stan, gold is not just a medal, but a way to honour Romania at every competition.
„‘In the context of Olympic-style competitions, I don't think my greatest achievement is necessarily a single competition, but rather the fact that I have never raised the Romanian flag with a medal that wasn't gold.’ says Ionuț Stan.
What is impressive about Ionuț Stan is not only his consistent performance, but also its perfection. No international competition in which he has represented Romania has ended with anything other than a gold medal. Here are just a few of his remarkable achievements where he won gold medals: 2021 – JBMO Moldova; 2024 – APhO, Malaysia, EuPhO Georgia, IPhO Iran; 2025 – APhO Saudi Arabia and most recently – the European Physics Olympiad in Sofia, Bulgaria. In addition, he won the Special Prize in the category ‘Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics’ at the International Science and Engineering Fair 2024, held in Los Angeles – the largest scientific research competition for high school students in the world.
For Ionuț Stan, there was no ‘Newton moment’ when he suddenly discovered his fascination for science. It was more of a natural progression, influenced by the example of his older sister, who was also an international chemistry Olympiad winner. The atmosphere at home was not one of pressure, but of inspiration, and his first steps in competitions, at the Euclid and LuminaMath contests, confirmed that the exact sciences are more than just a discipline: they are a form of joy and personal fulfilment.
Ionuț Stan is currently preparing for his final high school competitions, including the International Physics Olympiad, which will take place in France. After graduation, he will go to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he will study Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. But unlike many young people who plan their future along rigid lines, Ionuț has adopted a mature and balanced philosophy:
„‘I don't want to build my life around a rigid vision of “where I will be in 10 years”. Instead, I want to look at every door that opens as a real opportunity and evaluate it at that moment, with a clear mind and an open heart,’ said young Ionuț Stan.
The 2025 edition of the ‘100 Youngsters for Romania's Development’ campaign, run nationwide by the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, brings together the country's most talented young people who excel in education, innovation, culture and sport – authentic models of intelligence and commitment. Registration is open at www.fundatiadanvoiculescu.ro.
