As we bid a fond farewell to Dr Kathryn White, who retired from her role with ASI in August 2025, please join us in thanking and celebrating her work and achievements.

Kathryn has been a driving force behind our Junior Science Olympiad (JSO) program, including the JSO Training Squad and JSO Academy elements, to support younger students into Olympiad pathways. She helped launch JSO in 2020 and led it with passion and care as Program Director, then as Co-Program Director with Dr Tammy Humphrey, until stepping back earlier this year. Kathryn then focused on the JSO Training Squad, a program which has made a difference to many young students over the years, including those who have gone on to represent Australia at Science Olympiads.

After some reflection, together we’ve agreed it’s the right time to bring the Training Squad to a close. Though we are sad to say goodbye to Kathryn and the JSO Training Squad, we’re excited to have launched the Talent Development Program, which aims to enhance performance by students from underrepresented areas.

“If not for being a part of the JSO Academy in 2022 and subsequent programs, I would not be in the same position that I am now. These programs have inspired my passion for science, and a huge part of this was due to your enthusiasm and love of teaching.” Isabel, alum of JSO Academy, Training Squad and Spring School, and Earth & Environmental Science Summer School.

Under Kathryn’s guidance, the first-ever Australian team for the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) competed online in 2021, with all six earning silver medals. Unfortunately, the 2022 Australian team did not compete at the IJSO, held in Colombia. Kathryn finally was able to take IJSO teams overseas, to Thailand in 2023, achieving five silver and 1 gold medal, and Romania in 2024, where the team brought home two gold and four silver medals.

“I would like to give a shoutout to Dr Kathryn White, who is really the person who started it all. Although I wasn’t sure how I had gotten there, JSO Academy was a unique learning experience that could almost be said to have “changed my brain chemistry”. Carolyn Wang, alum from the JSO Spring School, Earth & Environmental Science Summer School and gold medallist at the 2024 International Earth Science Olympiad.

Kathryn has played a big role at ASI over the years. Before JSO, Kathryn was the first Chemistry Subject Leader for Curious Minds, helping shape the program in its formative years. Kathryn also put her heart into JSO Spring Schools, as she discusses here.

What stands out most is Kathryn’s genuine connection with students. As an alum from the 1993 International Chemistry Olympiad held in Italy, where she earned a Bronze medal, Kathryn understands their journey. She delights in seeing the students move through the Olympiad pathway – and always pops into the Summer School certificate ceremony to cheer them on. That care and personal touch has meant a lot to them – and to us.

“Though our time spent together through Junior Science Olympiad Academy may have been short, your passion for teaching and ability to simplify complex concepts into engaging, digestible chunks was a huge catalyst in sparking my interest in STEM.” Cathy, alum of the JSO Academy, and silver medallist at the 2023 International Earth Science Olympiad.

The JSO Program continues to nurture young scientists, thanks to Kathryn’s legacy, with the program now in the capable hands of Co-Progam Directors, Tammy Humphrey and Suren Mendis.

Kathryn, thank you. We’re grateful for the passion, care, and innovation you’ve brought to ASI, our programs and all our students across the years.