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.