Australian Science Innovations

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(02) 6125 6228

asi@asi.edu.au

Australian Science Innovations
Research School of Physics, 60 Mills Road
Acton, ACT 2601

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We proudly deliver the Australian Science Olympiads programs, Junior Science Olympiad programs, Big Science Competition and help deliver the Curious Minds – Girls in STEM program.

We are a registered not-for-profit who work in partnership with teachers, schools and organisations who understand the importance of investing in science education. Together we are extending our reach to include students from diverse backgrounds who have limited opportunities to pursue science.

Since 1991, we have discovered and enabled Australia’s most talented students to compete in the International Science Olympiads through exceptional education and mentorship programs. Our competitions and teams build relationships on a global level.

Our mission is to foster a culture of innovation, inclusion and enthusiasm for science, supporting Australia’s ambition to become a global STEM superpower.

Core Values
  • Science – we understand the value and importance of science to advance humanity.
  • Excellence – we support Australia’s top students to achieve greatness.
  • Integrity – we act with integrity in all our operations.
  • Growth – we believe in continual improvement.
  • Diversity – we know that Olympians can be found across Australia.
  • Sustainability – we operate in sustainable ways.
  • Collaboration – we collaborate with similar organisations.
What We Do Well
  • We create an environment that allows all students to flourish and achieve greatness.
  • We provide exceptional education programs to the top science students in Australia.
  • We support Australia’s finest science students to participate in international science events.
  • We support an alumni community of the top science professionals in Australia.
  • We inspire the next generation of science leaders.
  • We support teachers and schools to develop young scientific minds.
Explore our programs
  • About image

Our Patron

Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb AC FAA FTSE FACE FRSN has had a distinguished career which started as a neuroscience researcher.

He went on to become an influential policy maker and leader in the higher education sector, and has held senior positions within leading universities, including heading up the Australian National University as Vice-Chancellor for a decade.

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Our Board

  • Associate Professor Stella Clark, AM, Chair image

    Associate Professor Stella Clark, AM, Chair

  • Michelle Tea, Deputy Chair image

    Michelle Tea, Deputy Chair

  • Anna Davis, Immediate Past Chair & Acting Treasurer image

    Anna Davis, Immediate Past Chair & Acting Treasurer

  • Jo Crowston image

    Jo Crowston

  • Ben Kremer image

    Ben Kremer

  • Michael Frazis image

    Michael Frazis

  • Dr Tegan Smith image

    Dr Tegan Smith

  • Anita Trenwith image

    Anita Trenwith

  • Fiona Wright image

    Fiona Wright

  • Dr Jeff Coulton image

    Dr Jeff Coulton

Our Program Staff

  • Dr. Julie Cooke, Program Director Biology image

    Dr. Julie Cooke, Program Director Biology

  • Juliey Beckman, Deputy Program Director Biology image

    Juliey Beckman, Deputy Program Director Biology

  • Trent Wallis, Program Director Chemistry image

    Trent Wallis, Program Director Chemistry

  • Anthony Mai, Deputy Program Director Chemistry image

    Anthony Mai, Deputy Program Director Chemistry

  • Dr Leslie D. Almberg, Co-Program Director Earth and Environmental Science image

    Dr Leslie D. Almberg, Co-Program Director Earth and Environmental Science

  • Wayne Wong, Co-Program Director Earth and Environmental Science image

    Wayne Wong, Co-Program Director Earth and Environmental Science

  • David Brown, Deputy Program Director Earth and Environmental Science image

    David Brown, Deputy Program Director Earth and Environmental Science

  • Lachlan McGinness, Program Director Physics image

    Lachlan McGinness, Program Director Physics

  • Austin Lin, Co-Deputy Program Director Physics image

    Austin Lin, Co-Deputy Program Director Physics

  • Sam Maloney, Co-Deputy Program Director Physics image

    Sam Maloney, Co-Deputy Program Director Physics

  • Dr Tammy Humphrey, Co-Program Director Junior Science Olympiad image

    Dr Tammy Humphrey, Co-Program Director Junior Science Olympiad

  • Suren Mendis, Co-Program Director Junior Science Olympiad image

    Suren Mendis, Co-Program Director Junior Science Olympiad

  • Dr Kelsie Dadd, Program Director Curious Minds image

    Dr Kelsie Dadd, Program Director Curious Minds

  • Toni Falusi, Head Coach Curious Minds image

    Toni Falusi, Head Coach Curious Minds

Our Office Staff

  • Vanessa Kates, Executive Director image

    Vanessa Kates, Executive Director

  • Geraldine Stringer, Operations Manager image

    Geraldine Stringer, Operations Manager

  • Nurul Rika Laksmi, Program Manager Digital and Junior Science Olympiad image

    Nurul Rika Laksmi, Program Manager Digital and Junior Science Olympiad

  • Vrinda Sahni, Program Manager – Australian Science Olympiads image

    Vrinda Sahni, Program Manager – Australian Science Olympiads

  • Gabrielle Blake, Program Manager – Curious Minds image

    Gabrielle Blake, Program Manager – Curious Minds

  • Ning Tan, Bookkeeper & Admin Officer image

    Ning Tan, Bookkeeper & Admin Officer

  • Bec Pollock, Engagement Specialist image

    Bec Pollock, Engagement Specialist

Read our latest News and Stories

Go to all our News and Stories

Associate Professor Stella Clark, AM, Chair

Stella runs own business Stella Connect P/L, helping people, organisations and their ideas connect to maximise productive outcomes.

Previously she was CEO of Obesity Australia and for nine years before that was CEO of the Bio21 Cluster, Victoria’s leading health sciences/biotechnology research cluster. This was preceded by senior management roles at the School of Graduate Studies, University of Melbourne and the Baker Heart Research Institute.

After gaining a PhD from the University of Melbourne in 1984, Stella spent three years as a CJ Martin Fellow at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London before returning to a research career in Australia. Her career as a biomedical research scientist in the area of diabetes was recognised in 2014 when she was listed on the NHMRC website “High Achievers in Australian Health and Medical Research”. In 1994, Stella helped establish the Premier’s Award for Medical Research in Victoria, which recognises outstanding talent amongst young Victorian medical researchers.

Stella is currently on the Boards of The Bionics Institute, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function and The Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation. Since 2012 Stella has been an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Melbourne. In 2013 she was awarded a Certificate of Merit upon graduation from the AICD Company Director’s Course and in 2018 became an Honorary Life Member of the BioMelbourne Network. Stella was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Associate Professor Stella Clark, AM, Chair image

Michelle Tea, Deputy Chair

Michelle Tea is a senior business executive with over 20 years of experience in the ICT industry.

Using technology to solve complex industry and business problems, Michelle and her teams have built applications and systems that have influenced the wider adoption of technology and led to positive outcomes for her customers. Her projects have ranged from building systems that calculate carbon tax to the evolution of digital technology in NSW Education, as well as consolidated ERP systems that manage large scale ‘just in time support’ for critical mining equipment across Australia and Asia.

Michelle is currently consulting to various organisations, including startups and organisations working within the circular economy. Her experience in building large teams and driving growth is helping organisations bring their products and services to market effectively and attracting customers at scale. Michelle spent ten years at Microsoft in various roles and most recently as the Australian Services Director, leading a team of 240 computer scientists, business analysts and developers. Her team was responsible for delivering multi-year projects for large enterprises in Australia and New Zealand. During that time, Michelle introduced a Digital Transformation practice, which has subsequently been adopted by the global organisation. Michelle has a keen interest in encouraging our youth to study science and especially young girls to pursue science and maths as part of their chosen subjects.

Michelle Tea, Deputy Chair image

Anna Davis, Immediate Past Chair & Acting Treasurer

Anna Davis is the Science Coordinator at Casimir Catholic College, in Sydney NSW. Anna has extensive experience as a marker and senior marker for the HSC Chemistry examination.

She has been a contributing writer for several of the National Science Week Resource books developed by ASTA and was the convenor of CONASTA 61, the Conference of the Australian Science Teachers Association. Anna was involved with the development of the Australian Curriculum—Science. She has also authored a number of science resources for Nelson Cengage, including “iScience for the Australian Curriculum”—both national and NSW editions and Nelson Chemistry for the Australian Curriculum.

Anna is a Past President of the Australian Science Teachers’ Association (ASTA) and is both a Life Member and Past President of the Science Teachers’ Association of New South Wales (STANSW). Anna has extensive experience presenting professional learning events for science teachers throughout NSW in programming and assessment. In 2006, Anna was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

Anna Davis, Immediate Past Chair & Acting Treasurer image

Jo Crowston

An experienced non-profit marketing and fundraising professional, Jo’s 30-year career spans management roles in a diverse range of non-profit and government organisations, including The Prince’s Trust, St Vincent’s Institute, OET, AMEB and VicHealth.

Passionate about improving health for people with challenging medical conditions, Jo trained as a nurse in London before undertaking postgraduate qualifications in marketing and has more recently moved into the field of fundraising.

Since settling in Melbourne in 2006, Jo has volunteered for a number of community organisations, including Cancer Council’s Hawthorn Relay for Life committee and as a Board member of the Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

Jo Crowston image

Ben Kremer

Ben is a barrister at Banco Chambers in Sydney, where his practice includes a significant science and technology component.

He is an alumnus of the Australian Science Olympiads, having attended the 1990 Physics Summer School and the 1990 Chemistry Summer School, before winning a bronze medal at the 1990 International Chemistry Olympiad in Paris. Ben taught at a number of Australian Chemistry Olympiad Summer Schools, and was co-team leader at the 1995 International Chemistry Olympiad in Beijing.

Prior to coming to the bar in 2006, he was a senior associate at a major national law firm, and before that was associate to Justice Gummow of the High Court of Australia. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Oxford, and Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Sydney. During his studies at the University of Sydney he was awarded the University Medal in Law, the University Medal in Organic Chemistry and the 1995 Convocation Medal.

Ben Kremer image

Michael Frazis

Michael Frazis completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Oxford University where he also conducted a Masters of research into enzyme catalysed fuel cells.

He currently runs  two investment funds focused on technology and the life sciences. He has a Master of Finance from the London School of Economics and was a member of the 2006 Australian Chemistry Olympiad team.

Michael Frazis image

Dr Tegan Smith

Tegan is a science communicator and strategic communications specialist with a background in science research.

She specialises in strategic communication for government science organisations, currently with the Bureau of Meteorology and previously with Geoscience Australia.

Prior to moving into communications, Tegan worked as a research scientist, including as a biostratigrapher with Geoscience Australia.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania, as well as honours in earth science and a geoarchaeology PhD from the Australian National University (ANU).

Tegan sat on Geoscience Australia’s Advisory Board for two years and has previously served on the committees of science-related societies including the Canberra Archaeological Society and the Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia. She also sat on the ANU’s University Council, during her tenure as President of the ANU’s Postgraduate and Research Students’ Association.

Dr Tegan Smith image

Anita Trenwith

Anita Trenwith is a STEM Outreach Coordinator at Adelaide University, working with school students and their teachers to engage them in STEM.

Anita has also worked as a high school teacher and was recognised by awards including School Science Educator of the Year—SA Science Excellence Awards, Eureka Prize for Science and Mathematics Teaching, and the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

Anita is a member of The South Australian Science Teachers Association (SASTA) and an advocate for the SASTA Oliphant Science Awards in South Australia. Anita is passionate about enhancing opportunities for all students to be involved in science and is eager to promote science opportunities offered through Australian Science Innovations’ programs.

Anita Trenwith image

Fiona Wright

Fiona Wright is a dynamic senior executive, taking on challenging roles across private and government sectors over her career.

Commencing in the energy sector over 25 years ago as a freshly minted electrical engineer she has worked in applying science and engineering to societal needs. Fiona has led utilities and government through transformational change, playing a variety of technical, strategic, policy and leadership roles in navigating, orchestrating and creating our new systems and policies – in this era of unprecedented change driven by climate action, the changing energy mix, technology and our behaviours.

Fiona is currently leading the Climate Change and Energy Division of the ACT Government. In this role, she looks after a range of policies and programs to ensure the ACT meets its emission reduction goals while improving the environment and helping all citizens make the transition to a net zero emissions future. Prior to this, Fiona worked as a senior executive in the Federal Government supporting the sustainable management and productive use of Australia’s water resources, and for more than 25 years worked in energy utilities, managing electricity and gas distribution, and large infrastructure projects.

As a first hand participant and observer of the minority status of women in engineering, women in stem, and the lack of any reasonable improvement in these statistics over the last 25 years, Fiona has a passion and interest in encouraging girls and young women to pursue engineering careers through study of science and maths at the high school and university level.

Fiona Wright image

Dr Jeff Coulton

Dr Jeff Coulton is an Associate Professor in the UNSW Business School. He is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a former corporate lawyer. Jeff has designed and delivered Executive Education programs to numerous public and private sector organisations as well as federal government departments. He has also appeared as an expert witness in cases involving accounting and stock market issues in the Federal Court of Australia and the NSW Supreme Court.

His research primarily focuses on accounting, auditing and finance issues, but he is also actively involved in research examining the technical and economic feasibility of resource utilisation in space. He has published widely in international and local journals and is a co-author on the leading financial statement analysis textbook for Australia and New Zealand universities.

He holds a PhD from UNSW and a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney.

Dr Jeff Coulton image

Dr. Julie Cooke, Program Director Biology

Julie is an Associate Professor in Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Canberra. She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours from Flinders University and earned a PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2000.

Julie’s journey with the Australian Science Olympiad program began after a fortuitous connection made with the then Biology Program Director. She joined our Biology Program staff in 2008 as a tutor and continued in this role until 2012. Julie became Deputy Program Director in 2013 and assumed the role of Program Director in 2014.

During her tenure as Deputy Program Director and Program Director of Biology, Julie has played an instrumental role in supporting Australian teams at the International Biology Olympiads, to achieve an impressive medal tally of three Gold, 16 Silver and 22 Bronze.

Julie has accompanied ten Australian teams to International Biology Olympiads including South Korea (2010), Switzerland (2013), Indonesia (2014), Denmark (2015), Vietnam (2016), United Kingdom (2017), Iran (2018), Hungary (2019), United Arab Emirates (2023) and Kazakhstan (2024).

Her support has helped teams to earn medals and gain invaluable international experiences. She consistently provides students with innovative and enriching opportunities at the Biology Program residential training schools. Julie’s extensive contribution to the Biology Program is further exemplified by her mentoring of nearly 400 Australian Science Olympiad students.

Dr. Julie Cooke, Program Director Biology image

Juliey Beckman, Deputy Program Director Biology

Juliey is an Associate Professor, Lecturer and First Year Coordinator for the Biology Research and Learning Centre at Australian National University.

Juliey has been Deputy Program Director for Australian Science Olympiads Biology since November 2017.

She has played an instrumental role in supporting many, many students through ASO Exams, Summer School and accompanying Australian teams overseas to the International Biology Olympiad.

Juliey Beckman, Deputy Program Director Biology image

Trent Wallis, Program 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 took a temporary position teaching high school chemistry and loved it. He subsequently completed a Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of New England and is currently Director of Science at Sydney Grammar School.

Trent has been involved with the Australian Science Olympiad program since 1998 when he was a student in the program. He was a tutor, lecturer and deputy director the program from 2000-2015 and became director in 2016.

Trent Wallis, Program Director Chemistry image

Anthony Mai, Deputy Program Director Chemistry

Anthony Mai, Deputy Program Director Chemistry image

Dr Leslie D. Almberg, Co-Program Director Earth and Environmental Science

Dr. Leslie D. Almberg is a volcanologist by training, a science educator by vocation, a writer, musician, mother and community volunteer in her spare time. She brings nearly 30 years of Earth system science adventures to her impassioned teaching. Training as a physical volcanologist, seismic data analyst, and research assistant at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, she gained a wealth of first-hand experience with all things related to plate tectonics and the rock cycle before relocating to Australia for a stint at the CSIRO then taking on the first-year Applied Geology coordinator role at Curtin University. Her endeavours have taken her around the world exploring the Ring of Fire and beyond.

Leslie has worked with students and teachers extensively throughout her education and career, earning accolades and recognition from students, institutions, and government bodies for her efforts. She has enthusiastically filled the Deputy Director role for the Australian Earth and Environmental Science Olympiad for six years. Past roles include founding board member for the Australasian Universities Geoscience Educators Network, casual lecturer at Monash University, and Victoria coordinator for TESEP. She is a contributing author for the Earth Science Western Australia Year 11/12 Exploring Earth and Environmental Science textbooks, on the editorial board for Geoscience Communication and Consilience Journal, and involved in the educational development for the AusGeol.org virtual library of Australia project.

Dr Leslie D. Almberg, Co-Program Director Earth and Environmental Science image

Wayne Wong, Co-Program Director Earth and Environmental Science

Wayne completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics, Geology & Geophysics at the University of Sydney.

He was first involved with the Australian Earth & Environmental Science Olympiad program as a student in 2017, going on to represent Australia in Thailand at the 2018 IESO, then returning as a mentor in 2019 and 2023 till present.

What keeps him coming back? “Summer school remains the absolute best learning environment I’ve experienced for enthusiastic, curious and talented high school Science students. It’s a great privilege to work with our amazing staff members to help bring it to life every year.”

Throughout the rest of the year, he spends his time tutoring Physics and Earth Science in Sydney, working closely with Anthony Mai and other like-minded educators, doing their best to bring some of the summer school magic with them wherever they go.

Wayne Wong, Co-Program Director Earth and Environmental Science image

David Brown, Deputy Program Director Earth and Environmental Science

David Brown, Deputy Program Director Earth and Environmental Science image

Lachlan McGinness, Program Director Physics

Lachlan McGinness, Program Director Physics image

Austin Lin, Co-Deputy Program Director Physics

Austin Lin, Co-Deputy Program Director Physics image

Sam Maloney, Co-Deputy Program Director Physics

Sam Maloney, Co-Deputy Program Director Physics image

Dr Tammy Humphrey, Co-Program Director Junior Science Olympiad

Tammy completed a Bachelor of Advanced Science with first class honours and a PhD in solid state physics (on the thermodynamics of low dimensional thermoelectrics) at UNSW.

She completed post-doctoral work at UNSW, UoW and the University of California Santa Cruz. Her last academic position was as a Marie Curie Incoming International fellow at the University of Geneva in 2006.

Returning to Australia, Tammy completed a Diploma of Education at Macquarie University and taught physics (HSC and Olympiad level) privately for several years while caring for young children. She has recently worked for a number of years at James Ruse Agricultural High School in Sydney teaching HSC physics and also teaches a unit in physics pedagogy for pre-service teachers at the Australian Catholic University.

My favourite science movie: Don’t look up. It’s bleak and terrifying – but provides a powerful emotive argument for taking science seriously. There’s no planet B!

Dr Tammy Humphrey, Co-Program Director Junior Science Olympiad image

Suren Mendis, Co-Program Director Junior Science Olympiad

Suren is a science teacher in Canberra. He is the Deputy Program Director for the Junior Science Olympiad Program. 

He currently teaches in the ANU Extension program and works as the Project Coordinator for meriSTEM.

He completed a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education from the University of Canberra and a Master’s Degree in Science Communication from the Australian National University. He is currently undertaking a PhD at the Australian Catholic University.

Suren has previously worked as the Head of Science at Burgmann Anglican School, the Biology Coordinator for the Diploma of Science Program at the ANU and as a Chemistry tutor and lab demonstrator at UC.

My favourite sci-fi movie: Arrival! It has great ties to science, linguistics and politics, whilst also telling an incredibly human story. Second place goes to The Martian.

Suren Mendis, Co-Program Director Junior Science Olympiad image

Dr Kelsie Dadd, Program Director Curious Minds

Dr Kelsie Dadd is the Program Director of Curious Minds, a girls in STEM program. Kelsie holds a PhD in Geology from Macquarie University. She is also an Honorary Associate of the School of Geosciences at The University of Sydney, and has spent over a decade in academia, lecturing and mentoring students studying Earth Science. Kelsie brings her passion for student learning and skills in project management to her role as Program Director, where she has been inspiring young science students for over six years.

Dr Kelsie Dadd, Program Director Curious Minds image

Toni Falusi, Head Coach Curious Minds

Toni Falusi is the Head Coach for Curious Minds, a girls in STEM mentoring program. Toni has over twenty years experience teaching and mentoring students, both within school and university settings. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from University of Canberra, and has served on the Board of Information Technology Educators ACT for over seven years. Currently, Toni is also a sessional academic at the Australian Catholic University, and is the ACT Project Officer for the CSER Digital Technologies Team at the University of Adelaide.

Toni Falusi, Head Coach Curious Minds image

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