PhysMath Friends Charitable Foundation continues its efforts to promote Olympiad education in Armenia. As part of these initiatives, we are launching a new series of personal stories highlighting the achievements of Physmath students in international Olympiads.

Meet Ruzanna Shiroyan, a 17-year-old student who won a gold medal at the International Astronomy Open Olympiad held in Sochi in September 2025.

Ruzanna has been studying at the Physmath School since she was 15 and dreams of becoming an astrophysicist.

Why Astronomy?

I was in sixth grade when I realized that physics and mathematics truly inspired me. I come from a city (Spitak) where light pollution is low, so the night sky is very clear. That also encouraged my interest in astronomy. I came to Physmath specifically for the astronomy classes, and my goal is to continue in astrophysics and become an astrophysicist.

First international Olympiad 

Starting from ninth grade, I participated in national Olympiads, but this year was my first time competing internationally. At first, I was very nervous, but after the first round I managed to adapt. I had a clear goal-to win a medal-and I succeeded. It simply required a lot of hard work. I believe that dedication can bring great achievements in the future.

Competition is valuable because it prepares you for the challenges you will face in life and in your career. It provides strong motivation, especially when you achieve success. If we work hard enough, everything is possible-we just need patience. I reached this result because I study astronomy every day. You must have a genuine interest in the subject to succeed.

Inspiration in Astronomy

Viktor Hambardzumyan is my role model. One year after I became interested in astronomy, I found out that I was born in the year of his 100th anniversary. In the future, I want to follow in his footsteps.

Future plans and dreams

I want to continue my studies abroad, at the University of Groningen. One of my main goals is also to participate in the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), the most prestigious competition in the field.

I would like to become a well-known professional in my field and contribute to Armenia’s development.