Australian Science Innovations

Alumni of Australian Science Innovations

Since 1987, 260 young Australians have travelled internationally to compete in the Biology, Chemistry or Physics Olympiads. What did the experience mean to them? How did it influence their studies and their subsequent careers? Where are they now?  

  Meet Vanessa Solomon

In year 11, Vanessa Marsden (now Vanessa Solomon) had told herself that her Tasmanian Certificate of Education-level classes would be her last studies in biology. Sixteen years later, she is still learning about biology - thanks to the Australian Science Olympiads.

"It was a year after Tasmanian Anna Bown had received widespread attention - culminating in the Young Australian of the Year award - for winning the International Biology Olympiad, so while I knew about the Olympiads program, I never imagined I could be part of it. I sat the National Qualifying Exam thinking it would be good practice for my upcoming exams. At that time the TCE Biology syllabus was heavily focussed on broad "concepts" rather than specific facts, and it just didn't catch my interest. I was planning to study chemistry at university."

To her surprise, Vanessa was offered a place at the 1995 Biology Olympiad Summer School, and under the tutelage of former Olympians including Anna Bown and the long-time Director of the Biology Program, Andrew Walter, she discovered that in fact there was plenty that she liked about biology. "Once I was taught the nitty-gritty, I realised that there are heaps of exciting facts in biology and how the living world works. There's a lot of chemistry and physics interacting at all the levels of biology, from micromolecular interactions in cells through to the balance of elements in the ecosystem." Vanessa went on to represent Australia at the 1995 International Biology Olympiad, and subsequently completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Tasmania, majoring in biochemistry, immunology and microbiology. She also continued her involvement with the Olympiads, serving as a tutor for eight years, joint-Deputy Director of the biology program for three years, and accompanying the Australian teams to the 2000 and 2002 International Biology Olympiads.

In 2000, Vanessa began PhD studies at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. Her project examined the molecular mechanisms of how cells die (apoptosis), a process that is critical for animal development, and which is frequently corrupted in human diseases such as cancer. Research which Vanessa conducted during her PhD was published in the top-ranking scientific journal, Nature, and enabled her to receive a fellowship from the US Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to conduct postdoctoral research in the United States. "My time as a researcher in the United States provided a great insight into the pros and cons of doing research in Australia. In this age of email and teleconferences, we might like to think that we aren't disadvantaged by living half a world away from the major hubs of biomedical research - North America and Europe - but it is all too easy for Australian research to be forgotten by our competitors. On the other hand, having a bit of intellectual breathing space allows Australian researchers to continue doing what they've always been good at: innovating. Australian scientists just need to continue to remind the global research community- and the Australian public, for that matter - that we conduct world-class, world-changing research here."

In 2006, Vanessa returned to continue her research at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, now focussing on novel, molecularly targeted therapies for leukemias. This year, she has chosen to split her time between research and science communication. "It's one thing to do really good medical research, but it's another thing to make sure that the general public- who are also the tax payers who fund the bulk of Australian medical research - know what is happening in medical research labs, and what great work we are doing."

Vanessa believes that the Australian Science Olympiads are a great way to encourage students who are excited by science to build their passion, and that in the long run this will benefit Australia in the form of the next generation of researchers. "So much of science and research is driven by excitement. Of course, material resources and funding are critical, but without passion, scientists won't be making discoveries in the future."

 

2011 Biology   Taipei, Taiwan

• Darcy Gray   NSW   Silver
• Callum Gray   NSW   Bronze
• Nathan Isaacson   NSW   Bronze
• Philip O'Riordan   VIC   Silver

2011 Chemistry   Ankara, Turkey

• Peter Hall   VIC   Silver
• Thusan Hettige   VIC   Silver
• Jonathan Lay   NSW   Silver
• Lachlan Vom   NSW   Bronze

2011 Physics   Bangkok, Thailand

• Justin Cheung   NSW   Bronze
• Jinghang Luo   NSW   Bronze
• Emilio Pace   SA   Silver
• Tom Pearson   ACT   Bronze
• Katie Quail   NSW  

2010 Biology   Changwon, Korea

• Jingchun Chen   NSW   Silver
• Paul Khoo   VIC   Silver
• Vivian Li   NSW   Silver
• Gina Tonkin-Hill   VIC   Bronze

2010 Chemistry   Tokyo, Japan

• Allan Chau   NSW   Bronze
• Kelvin Cheung   NSW   Bronze
• Stuart Ferrie   VIC   Bronze
• Cyril Tang   NSW   Silver

2010 Physics   Zagreb, Croatia

• Madeleine Barrow   VIC   Hon mention
• Hilary Hunt   VIC   Hon mention
• Andrew Kam   NSW   Bronze
• Alexander London   NSW   Bronze
• Bob Wu   NSW   Bronze

Alumni Honour Roll - 1987 to now.