Siobhan Tobin exemplifies the remarkable impact that our science extension programs can have, showcasing the enriching opportunities they provide.

Originally from regional Victoria, Siobhan’s journey began with participation in the Big Science Competition. Her passion and talent led her to represent Australia at the 2012 Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) in India, and the 2012 International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) in Estonia.

She went on to serve as an Australian Science Innovations (ASI) Ambassador at education expos, sharing her experiences and inspiring future students. From 2013 to 2019, she contributed extensively to the ASO Summer School program as a staff member in Physics.

Her leadership continued to grow, and she served as Deputy Program Director for Physics from 2017 to 2018, followed by a role as Program Director from 2018 to 2019.

Siobhan also accompanied student teams on international trips, such as the 19th Asian Physics Olympiad in Vietnam, further supporting and mentoring young scientists on the global stage.

Amidst supporting ASI programs and emerging young scientists, Siobhan completed a bachelor’s degree in physics with First Class Honours at the Australian National University. She was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 2019 for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, where she went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Condensed Matter Physics.

Siobhan now works as a physicist at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). While her work as a neutron scattering instrument scientist keeps her busy, she generously took the time out to answer our questions.

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How did you first learn about ASI programs, and what motivated you to participate?

I first learned about the Science Olympiads through the Battle of the Brains documentary that screened on ABC in 2006. I was in my last year of primary school, and it made a big impression on me (and my parents). I’d never heard of anything like the Science Olympiads that combined learning university-level science, a residential program and an element of competition for high school students. So, when I was in Year 10, I asked my science teacher about entering the Australian Science Olympiad exams (my school did not have a previous history of participating in the Australian Science Olympiad exams).

Was there anyone at ASI who inspired you? If so, who was it, and in what way did they inspire you?

The most valuable role models for me were those staff members who were 3-4 years ahead of me. Although everyone’s journey in science is individual, those people provided tangible paths ahead. In the space of summer school, I went from not knowing anyone with, or basically anything about, physics beyond high school, majors, honours and PhDs, to having all those things “normalised” to an extent. I also admired the mixture of attention to detail, and big picture thinking that was represented by the physics staff group. Later, when I joined the physics program staff, I also really admired everyone’s sense of humour and silliness that kept the team and program well-oiled (e.g. the parody songs that we performed for the students). No doubt I contributed to that in my own way, too.

What is your favourite ASI experience?

I attended a few Asian Physics Olympiads, firstly as a student, and then as a team leader. My birthday always coincided with this event, and I had some really good cakes thanks to friends both Australian and international. For example, the cake I had in Ha Noi, Vietnam, was a ginormous sponge topped with passionfruit jelly and cream. It was shared between myself and the other five people who had a birthday that week, in fact, it was so huge, everyone (200+ students and team leaders) got a slice.

The 2019 APhO was hosted by Australia in Adelaide, and that was a really special event that a lot of people I know worked really hard to bring to fruition. The international teams were delighted to be there: they got to see kangaroos and go to the beach! And the physics problems were super: ferrofluid in the experimental exam, and the notorious tippy top in the theoretical exam. It was a great showcase of education, science and Australia. And I had another good birthday cake (chocolate with almond toffee shards on the top).

What did you study at university?

I studied physics at ANU through the Bachelor of Philosophy (Science Honours) program and then did a PhD in condensed matter physics at the University of Oxford.

What do you enjoy about your current position or profession?

Currently, I work at ANSTO as a neutron scattering instrument scientist. Practically anything material that’s solid, liquid or in between: you can study its structural and dynamic properties with neutron scattering. My particular niche is magnetic materials (fun fact: neutrons have no charge, but they do have a magnetic moment). No two experiments are the same, so I’m always learning from colleagues and collaborators.

In my job, I work with many different people: engineers, technicians, and visiting researchers. I particularly enjoy the social aspect of my role, and it’s great when an experiment goes well or when a workmate comes up with an idea that saves the science day! Neutron scattering is quite a specialised experimental technique, so there’s an element of teaching people about it too.

Aside from Science, what other hobbies or interests do you enjoy?
My hobbies include rogaining (a kind of long distance orienteering), running, and gliding. I flew solo for the first time in 2021 and have since done more than 100 solo flights. Although I don’t ride regularly, I still love horses (and all animals).

Have you volunteered in any ASI programs? What motivated you to do so, and would you recommend it to other alumni?

I volunteered with the Physics Olympiad program 2013 to 2019. I saw it as an opportunity to build on friendships from Summer School, to keep learning, to pay it forward to other young people who were interested in science.

Volunteering with ASI also stretched me not just academically but developed my leadership and managerial skills.

I had the opportunity to do outreach activities with schools and the general public in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Dubbo, and eventually become Deputy Program Director and then Acting Program Director. Teaching at Summer School always refreshed my enthusiasm for physics.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Is your current profession related to that early ambition?

Aged 5-12 I wanted to be a horse-riding instructor. Then at age 12 that switched to astronaut and then age 15 switched to mathematician or physicist. I am now a physicist, but I’m still fairly obsessed with horses, and I haven’t let go of the astronaut thing either.

Do you still keep in touch with anyone from your ASO Summer School or Olympiad teams?
I keep in touch with many people I met from the program, I’m closest to those who were program staff with me! Also, I’m still in contact with a few ASI staff on the program management side – it sounds like a cliché, but they did see me grow up a lot over the years. Internationally, I have met many folks who have participated in the Physics Olympiad, and it’s always a great common thread to have.

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Thank you to Siobhan for answering our questions and inspiring young scientists everywhere!

Featured image: Siobhan with the Australian team at the 2019 Asian Physics Olympiad in Adelaide.