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Professor Ian Chubb AC

Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb was the Chief Scientist for Australia from May 2011 to January 2016.

Prior to that, Professor Chubb was Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University from January 2001 to March 2011; Vice-Chancellor of Flinders University of South Australia for six years and the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Monash University for two years.

From January 1986 to September 1990, Professor Chubb was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wollongong and Honorary Professor of Biology.

In 1999 Professor Chubb was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) and in 2006 a Companion (AC) in the order.

Professor Chubb was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001, and was the ACT’s Australian of the Year in 2011.

He was elected a Fellow of the Australian College of Education in 2008 and a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales in 2014. He was Awarded the Academy Medal of the Australian Academy of Science in 2016 and elected Fellow of the Academy in 2017.

2022

2022 International Science Olympiad Teams

2022 saw two students win major international competitions.

Fredy Yip ranked #1 in the 2022 Asian Physics Olympiad before going on to win a gold medal at the 2022 International Physics Olympiad.

Edmond Wu ranked #1 in the 2022 International Earth Science Olympiad.

The complete list of 2022 International Science Olympiad Teams:

International Biology Olympiad

Koen Dubrow, Ivanhoe Grammar School, VIC
Douglas Joshi, Balwyn High School, VIC
Quinton Nguyen, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, VIC
Chi Chi Zhao, St Peter’s Collegiate Girls School, SA

International Chemistry Olympiad

Daniel Wang, Baulkham Hills High School, NSW – Silver
Kevin Wang, The Kings School , NSW – Silver
Kerui Yang, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Bronze
Owen Yi, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Bronze

International Earth Science Olympiad

Edmond Wu, Knox Grammar School, NSW – Gold
Sean Roe, John Monash Science School, VIC – Gold
Lauren Singh, Alstonville High School, NSW – Gold
Adrian Lehane, Narrabundah College, ACT – Gold
Jacinta Rees, Meriden School, NSW – Silver
David Wang, Brisbane State High School, QLD – Silver
Jonathon Zhong, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Silver
Georgia Tonkin, Merici College, ACT – Bronze

International Physics Olympiad

Fredy Yip, Year 12, Knox Grammar School, NSW – Gold
Tianxia (Thomas) Qiao, Year 12, Carey Baptist Grammar School , VIC – Silver
Austin Lin, Barker College, NSW – Silver
Lydia Colla, Loreto Kirribilli, NSW – Bronze
Vincent Ng, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Bronze

2021

2021 International Science Olympiad Teams

In 2021, we sent the first Australian team to the International Junior Science Olympiads, hosted by the United Arab Emirates.

After six months of preparation, all six students brought home a silver medal—an exemplary result.

The complete list of International Science Olympiad Teams for 2021 is:

International Junior Science Olympiad

Heidi Gong, St Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ High School, SA – Silver
Kelvin Chan, Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics & Technology, QLD – Silver
Liam Chan, Scotch College, VIC – Silver
Atharva Sathe, Perth Modern School, WA – Silver
Lauren Singh, Alstonville High School, NSW – Silver
Jacinta Rees, Meriden School, NSW – Silver

International Chemistry Olympiad

Austin Lin, Barker College, NSW – Bronze
Oscar Dong, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Silver
Vincent Ng, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Bronze
Keith Wong, Perth Modern School, WA– Bronze

International Earth Science Olympiad

Olivia Anderson, Darwin High School, NT – Silver
Hayden Greer, Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology, QLD – Gold
Anna Kremer, Sydney Girls High School, NSW – Gold
Ryan Liu, Glenunga International High School, SA – Gold
Jonathan Purcell, John Monash Science School, VIC – Silver
Sharlyn Tan, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Silver
Frances Kan, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Silver
Alexandra Vickery, Narrabundah College, ACT – Gold

International Physics Olympiad

Dhruv Hariharan, Knox Grammar School, NSW – Bronze
James Munro, Canberra Grammar School, ACT – Bronze
Raymond Trinh, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Bronze
Yalun Yang, Queensland Academy for Health Sciences, QLD – Honourable mention
Rune Chi Zhao, St Peter’s Collegiate Girls School, NSW

International Biology Olympiad

Maya Anderson, Sydney Girls High School, NSW – Bronze
Jackson Fu, North Sydney Boys High School, NSW – Gold
Audrey Sutidjan, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Bronze
Lior Yoffe, Baulkham Hills High School, NSW – Silver

2020

2020 International Science Olympiad Teams

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many Olympiads were cancelled in 2020 and students were unable to attend or compete.

The International Chemistry Olympiad pivoted to an online event, allowing our students to compete with impressive results. The 2020 International Science Olympiad Teams were:

International Physics Olympiad

Monique Jeacocke, Canberra Girls Grammar School, ACT
Alexander Lin, The King’s School, NSW
Adrian Lo, Newington College, NSW
Maggie Webber, Dickson College, ACT
Isaac Wu, John Monash Science School, VIC

International Earth Science Olympiad

Oscar Dong, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
Frances Kan, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
Bonita Mo, University High School, VIC
Alexandra Vickery, Narrabundah College, ACT

International Chemistry Olympiad

Caleb Hsiung, Baulkham Hills High School, NSW – Bronze
Richard Huang, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Gold
Nicholas Wu, Melbourne High School, VIC – Bronze
Sariena Ye, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Bronze

International Biology Olympiad

Priya Bahra, Kambala School, NSW – Bronze
Nicholas Bui, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, VIC – Bronze
Hamish Walker, Emmanuel Anglican College, NSW
Angie Zhou, Queensland Academy for Health Sciences, QLD – Merit

2019

2019 International Science Olympiad Teams

2019 marked a unique year where each student placed with a medal across the International Science Olympiads. Students also attended the Asian Physics Olympiad, a unique opportunity to students to compete with students across Asia-Pacific before the International Physics Olympiad.

International Earth Science Olympiad

Maxwell Etherington, Brindabella Christian College, ACT – Gold
Anthony Manns, Chatswood High School, NSW – Silver
Jordan Rogers, Girton Grammar School, VIC – Silver
Imogen Viner, Hobart College, TAS – Silver

International Chemistry Olympiad

Richard Huang, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Silver
Joshua Lin, Sydney Church of England Grammar School (SHORE), NSW – Silver
Tom Harrison-Brown, Sydney Grammar School, NSW – Bronze
William Liu, Knox Grammar School, NSW – Bronze

International Biology Olympiad

Felix Pemberton-Adams, St Michael’s Grammar School, VIC — Silver
Helen Han, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW — Silver
Elaine Cheung, The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, VIC – Bronze
Bahaar (Gaia) Bahaar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, VIC – Bronze

International Physics Olympiad

Rosemary Zielinski, Merici College, ACT – Bronze
Simon Yung, Narrabundah College, ACT – Bronze
William Sutherland, Scotch College, VIC – Bronze
Jessie Lum, Pymble Ladies College, NSW – Bronze
Stephen Frazis, Marcellin College, VIC – Silver

Asian Physics Olympiad

Rosemary Zielinski, Merici College, ACT – Honourable Mention
Simon Yung, Narrabundah College, ACT – Honourable Mention
William Sutherland, Scotch College, VIC
Jessie Lum, Pymble Ladies College, NSW
Alexander Lin, The King’s School, NSW
Min-Je Hwang, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW
Benjamin Davison-Petch, Christ Church Grammar School, WA
Stephen Catsamas, Marcellin College, VIC – Bronze

2018

2018 International Science Olympiad Teams

An exciting year that saw gold in both the International Earth Science Olympiad and the International Physics Olympiad. Students travelled to Thailand, Vietnam, Iran and Slovakia & Czech Republic representing Australia, with stellar results.

International Earth Science Olympiad

Rebecca Whittle, Abbotsleigh, NSW – Gold
Wayne Wong, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW — Silver
Rose Zhang, Narrabundah College, ACT – Silver
Kim Zheng, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW — Silver

International Physics Olympiad

Hugo McCahon-Boersma, Sydney Grammar School, NSW – Gold
Stephen Catsamas, Marcellin College, VIC – Bronze
Vladimir Mikho, John Monash Science School, VIC – Bronze
Boris Deletic, John Monash Science School, VIC – Honourable Mention
Alicia Lieng, Meriden, NSW – Honourable Mention

International Chemistry Olympiad

Kieran Connor, Sydney Grammar School, NSW – Silver
Richard Huang, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Silver
Raymond Li, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Silver
Phillip Liang, James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW – Bronze

International Biology Olympiad

Shanni Chen, Caulfield Grammar School, VIC – Silver
Jessica Law, University High School, VIC – Silver
Sai Campbell, Presbyterian Ladies’ College, VIC – Bronze
Luke Hemmingsen, Burgmann Anglican School, ACT – Bronze

Asian Physics Olympiad

Stephen Catsamas, Marcellin College, VIC – Bronze
Hugo McCahon-Boersma, Sydney Grammar School, NSW – Bronze
Boris Deletic, John Monash Science School, VIC
Yongqin Li, Sydney Girls High School, NSW
Alicia Lieng, Meriden, NSW
Vladimir Mikho, John Monash Science School, VIC
Harry Partridge, Knox Grammar School, NSW
Krishne Thayaparan, Narrabundah College, ACT

Anna Davis, Chair

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.

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.

Dr Nicole Ang, Treasurer

Nicole has more than 20 years of experience as an accounting educator, researcher and practitioner. She has worked in auditing and economic consulting, and is currently a senior lecturer at UNSW Sydney, where she engages in teaching and research. Nicole is involved in the design and delivery of financial and managerial accounting course content at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her current research interests are in the area of behavioural decision making in accounting, with a focus on decisions involving interactive groups, the use of accounting information in negotiations and capital investment, and the motivational effects of relative performance information.

Nicole holds a PhD in Accounting from UNSW Sydney, a MA from Stanford Graduate Business School, and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours Class I in Accounting) from UNSW Sydney. She is a member of CPA Australia.

Ben Kremer, Immediate Past Chair

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.

Alyssa Weirman, Executive Director

Alyssa Weirman has over a decade of experience in business management and relationship and business development within the public, research, and university sectors.

Alyssa operated at the interface of academia and industry, administering plant research facilities and developing partnerships between industry and researchers. Alyssa most recently managed relationships and partnerships with the public sector on behalf of CPA Australia.

Alyssa’s education includes a Bachelor of Science (Honours—First Class) majoring in Geology and Palaeobiology; A Diploma of Management (Business Administration); and a Certificate in Governance Practice. Alyssa has worked with and on boards as a non-executive Director, and brings considerable skills in governance and risk management combined with a creative and innovative approach to directorship and management.

Alyssa Weirman, Executive Director image

Anita Trenwith

Anita Trenwith is a STEM Outreach Officer at The University of South Australia, 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 currently Vice President 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 The Australian Science Innovations programs.

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.

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.

Professor Liz New

Liz has been involved in a number of aspects of the Australian Science Olympiads: she won a bronze medal at the 2000 International Chemistry Olympiad and a gold medal in 2001; she was a staff member for the Australian Chemistry Olympiad for a number of years; she was team leader for the 2005 and 2006 International Chemistry Olympiads; and she was even a guide for the 2004 International Biology Olympiad in Brisbane.

Liz undertook her undergraduate and Masters studies at the University of Sydney, and completed her PhD in 2009 with Professor David Parker at Durham University. From 2010–2011 she was a Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Fellow with Professor Chris Chang at the University of California (Berkeley). In 2012, she returned to the University of Sydney, where she is currently Associate Professor. Her research is focused on the development of small-molecule fluorescent probes for the study of biological and environmental systems.

Louisa Graham

Louisa brings over 20 years of communications and corporate affairs experience working globally across large private and publicly listed businesses, predominantly in the industrial sector including construction, manufacturing, logistics, water, energy, mining and telecommunications.

Throughout her career, Louisa has had strong involvement in community based education focussed organisations, and the opportunity to be a career mentor for girls in STEM, as well as creating career avenues for kids from disadvantaged backgrounds and mentoring long-term unemployed.

Louisa has a passion for brand, change and engagement and has been a sessional and guest lecturer at leading Australian universities across a range of subjects including media, community relations and issues management. Louisa has presented at local and international communications conferences in change and engagement and been internationally recognised for her work on business transformation and communications as the recipient of Gold Quill Awards. As well as the ASI Board, Louisa has served as a board member for the Victorian chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.

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.

Associate Professor Stella Clark

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.

Toni Falusi

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.

Dr Kelsie Dadd

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 Leslie D. Almberg

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 Tristan Reekie

Dr Tristan Reekie completed his PhD at ANU and has since worked at ETH Zurich in Switzerland and the University of Sydney.

He is now a lecturer and researcher at the University of New South Wales Canberra teaching students of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). His research is on small molecule organic chemistry with focus on developing new pharmaceuticals for treating a number of different disorders.

Dr Tristan Reekie completed his PhD at ANU and has since worked at ETH Zurich in Switzerland and the University of Sydney. He is now a lecturer and researcher at the University of New South Wales Canberra teaching students of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). His research is on small molecule organic chemistry with focus on developing new pharmaceuticals for treating a number of different disorders.

My favourite science movie is: The first, and original, Jurassic Park. I love the cast, the science which is so wrong but sounds so right and of course the dinosaurs!

Trent Wallis

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.

Dr Tammy Humphrey

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!

Simon Yung

Simon attended the Physics Summer School in 2019 and was awarded a bronze medal at the International Physics Olympiad.

He has enjoyed returning as a staff member in the years following. Simon’s Olympiad experience inspired him to pursue physics at university, and he will be doing his Bachelor of Philosophy Honours in 2023 at the Australian National University in the area of quantum information science. In his spare time Simon enjoys running.

My favourite science movie is: The Martian: the idea of using different types of science to survive an inhospitable environment was very fascinating and fun to think about!

Dr Sham Nair

Dr Sham Nair’s career spans academia, scientific research and school teaching.

Trained as a molecular biologist, Dr Nair’s research interests focused on the intersection between immunology and genomics in various organisms. After completing hisPhD at the University of Technology, Sydney, in Biomedical Sciences, Dr Nair held various research positions in the US and Australia.

As an academic , he taught several undergraduate courses (science and education) and supervised research students in postgraduate degree programs. After a research visit to the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative in Canada, Dr Nair became involved in science education research and has been a science teacher in NSW schools. Dr Nair is currently the Science Advisor (7–12) at the NSW Department of Education.

My favourite science movie: The Fantastic Voyage. When I first saw this movie, it blew my mind that life (the human body) at the microscopic level is incredibly different to the way we experience it through our senses.

Claire Yung

Claire is a PhD student at the Australian National University in Canberra.

She was a bronze medallist at the 2017 International Physics Olympiad and has been involved as a staff member of the physics program since, including as Deputy Director in 2021–22.

Claire has a Bachelor of Philosophy with First Class Honours in Physics from the Australian National University. She has completed research internships at the University of Tokyo and the University of New South Wales, and worked as a research assistant at the University of Sydney. In her PhD in physical oceanography, she is researching ocean-ice interactions near Antarctica with the hope of improving climate models and sea level rise predictions.

My favourite science movie: Don’t Look Up. It’s a good laugh, but also a big warning for our future.

Greg McNamara

Greg McNamara is the Program Director for Earth and Environmental Science and has been prominent in his field since 1983. Greg obtained his Masters of Science in Geology, Stratigraphy, Geochronology and Vertebrate Palaeontology in 1997.

Greg has been the Director for Geoscience Education and Outreach Services for eighteen years, evaluating teacher professional development and student resources across all geoscience topics K-13, and also works as an Educational and Outreach Consultant for Geological Society for Australia.

Greg works tirelessly to provide innovative and exciting programming for the Earth and Environmental Science students—all the way from the first written exam to the summer school program.

Lachlan McGinness

Julie Cooke

Julie Beckman

Dr Kathryn White

Kathryn is a Science teacher in Canberra. She was a bronze medallist at the 1993 International Chemistry Olympiad and a staff member for the Australian Chemistry Olympiad for several years following.

She has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Sydney and subsequently worked as a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Physics at the University of Edinburgh.

Having made the change from research to education, she achieved national certification as a highly accomplished teacher in 2015. She taught as part of the ANU Extension program from 2011-2020, and is a former deputy director of ASI’s Curious Minds program.

My favourite science movie: “The Martian: sometimes we all just have to science the **** out of it…”.

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2022 International Science Olympiad Teams

2021 International Science Olympiad Teams

2020 International Science Olympiad Teams

2019 International Science Olympiad Teams

2018 International Science Olympiad Teams

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Professor Ian Chubb has had a distinguished career which started as a neuroscience researcher.