Program directors
Dr Mary Oliver - Program Director: Biology
Mary brings a wealth of teaching experience at school and tertiary level in Australia and internationally. She qualified from London University and gained her PhD from the University of East Anglia, where she undertook research into students' understanding of evolution. She has taught Biology in the UK, Copenhagen and Western Australia and been Head of Science at schools in Western Australia and Copenhagen. In…
Ms Patricia Illing - Deputy Director: Biology
Patricia's involvement with the Australian Science Olympiads began in 2004 when she represented Australia in the 15th International Biology Olympiad in Brisbane. Since this time she has helped prepare students for their own Olympiad experience as a member of the Biology teaching staff.Patricia completed a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours at the University of Melbourne. She majored in…
Dr Mark Ellison - Program Director: Chemistry
Mark is originally from Perth where he studied chemistry at the University of Western Australia and Murdoch University. He did his PhD in Science Communication through the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University.Mark was a lecturer in Chemistry at Murdoch University from 1990 until 2001. As the Academic Coordinator of the annual WA Science…
Mr Trent Wallis - Deputy Director: Chemistry
Trent has a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney. Whilst studying for a PhD in Biochemistry he started teaching Chemistry and Junior Science at Sydney Grammar School. Having changed tack from academia to education he is currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of New England. He has worked on both the Competition…
Mr Matthew Verdon - Program Director: Physics
Matthew has been involved with the Australian Science Olympiads since 2000, when he represented Australia at the International Chemistry Olympiad in Copenhagen. In 2001 he represented Australia at the Asian Physics Olympiad in Taiwan, and at the International Physics Olympiad in Turkey. He has been part of the Physics program ever since.Matthew completed a BSc with Honours…
Ms Alix Verdon - Deputy Director: Physics
Alix was first involved with the Australian Science Olympiads in 2001 when she represented Australia at the 2nd Asian Physics Olympiad in Taiwan. Since then she has been involved with the training of students in the physics program.Alix is a PhD student in the School of Physics at The University of Sydney, and has completed a BSc with Honours in physics…
