Program Directors
Biology
Dr Julie Cooke
Program Director
Julie is Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Physiology at the University of Canberra. She has held a number of academic positions lecturing Anatomy & Physiology, and has 15 years experience teaching at a tertiary level as well as teaching the International Baccalaureate (Biology).
Julie’s research interests are in respiratory disease, particularly the role exercise plays in the maintenance of lung function post pulmonary rehabilitation. Her work is helping to improve the quality of life of those suffering from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Julie has been involved with the Australian Science Olympiad program since 2005. She is a member of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ), Australian & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (ANZSRS), Australian Lung Foundation and Sports Medicine Australia.
Chemistry
Trent Wallis
Program Director
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 completed a Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of New England.
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.
Earth & Environmental Science
Greg McNamara
Program Director
Greg has a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours from Monash University and a research-based Master of Science from James Cook University. While teaching undergraduate Earth Science to both science and education students at JCU Greg became interested in education and completed a Graduate Diploma of Education through JCU while managing the Earth Science department’s collections and facilities and helping CSIRO establish the North Queensland Science Education Centre.
After a two year placement in Broken Hill managing the GeoCentre Interactive Rock and Mineral Museum Greg moved to Canberra to establish and run Geoscience Australia’s Earth Science Education Centre where he ultimately managed the education program before starting a consultancy in Victoria.
Greg has provided quality geoscience education and outreach advice and products to national and international clients including Australian Science Innovations since 2004. In addition to his role as Earth and Environmental Science Olympiad Program Director Greg is also the Executive Officer of the highly successful Teacher Earth Science Education Programme.
Physics
Dr Matthew Verdon
Program Director
Matt has been involved with the Australian Science Olympiads since 2000, when he represented Australia at the International Chemistry Olympiad, before changing to physics and competing at APhO and IPhO in 2001. He has been part of the Physics program ever since.
Matt completed a BSc with Honours in Physics at the University of Sydney in 2005, and obtained his Ph.D. in theoretical plasma physics at the same University in 2011. He followed his interest in education and is completed a Master of Teaching. His hobbies include reading, music, photography, and mucking around with electronics and old equipment.
Curious Minds
Dr Kelsie Dadd
Program Director
Kelsie has a PhD in Geology from Macquarie University and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (Teaching and Learning) from University of Technology Sydney.