National Finalists 2008 Profiles

Jayson Jeganathan (NSW) (AUS Champion)

Year of birth: 1991 School: Baulkham Hills High School Subjects: Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology

Jayson Jeganathan's favourite subject is physics, followed closely by maths. In his spare time, he plays badminton and he has also taken part in tennis training and competitions.

He enjoys playing piano and reading, and has recently taken a shine to classic novels as well as nonfiction books.

Jayson has always been keen about participating in academic competitions such as the Brain Bee, as well as science competitions and maths Olympiads. Last year, he won second prize for his entry in the NSW Transcribe Young Writers Competition. Academically, Jayson has already notched up a 1st at his previous school, Parramatta Marist High. While not entirely decided about his future career, he says he will "probably" gravitate towards something involving science or engineering. "Mechatronic engineering seems to be the most likely career path for me thus far," he suggested.

Kieran Bunn (NZ-South Island)

Year of Birth: 1992 School: Logan Park High School Subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Economics and Music

Kieran Bunn thoroughly enjoys science in all its forms and he has taken part in many extra curricular activities, including "mathletics", the inter-schools science quiz and the Otago Science Fair.

One of his strongest subjects is mathematics but he also enjoys history and has recently written a project on Marie Curie. Kieran plays saxophone in his school jazz band and he'll be taking part in the South Island "Jazz Jam", in Blenheim, for the third year running.

He's played squash for some time and has recently taken up fencing. His first success in science was winning a physics prize in the Otago Science Fair when he was 12. Since then he has been a member of a "gifted and talented" group, taking part in a marine-studies program. Kieran says, "I think my biggest achievement so far is being able to take part in the national Brain Bee challenge."

Regarding his career options, Kieran remains somewhat cautious. "I am interested in many different things and the decision is still a long way off."

Jack Lowe (SA)

Year of Birth: 1992 School: Christian Brothers College Subjects: Science, Geography, English, History, Italian, Australian Studies, Advanced Maths and Art.

Although Jack says he doesn't really have a favourite subject at school, he will admit to enjoying "most aspects" of science and maths. After learning Irish dancing for nearly 12 years, we can be sure Jack knows a thing or two about sean-nós and quadrilles.

He has successfully competed in three national Irish dancing championships, receiving awards for his solo and team efforts. Earlier this year, Jack participated in the South Australian Space School, scored a high distinction in the National Geographic Geography Competition, and has also competed previously in a several other national and state academic competitions such as the Oliphant Science Awards, Westpac Maths Competition and various other science-based competitions.

At the moment his ambition is to study medicine or a science-based undergraduate program, which is one of the reasons he became interested in the Brain Bee Challenge.

Stephen Mackereth (NZ-North Island) (NZ Champion)

Year of birth: 1993 School: King's College Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, English, Physics, Maths, Spanish

Stephen Mackereth enjoys learning about almost anythiang. His favourite subjects have always been maths and the sciences, but he enjoys languages too. He has studied Latin and Spanish, and he is currently trying to teach himself Ancient Greek.

If he's not coaxing a melody from the piano, you might find him shooting the breeze on the ocean, where he's currently learning how to sail.

He's also had success in a few competitions - spelling bees, maths competitions, debating (in English and in Spanish), and various Olympiads, including biology. He was also involved in the International Young Physicist's Tournament.

Born in Auckland, Stephen also experienced two years living aboard a hospital ship - the M/V Anastasis - in West Africa. The Anastasis provided voluntary medical care to war-ravaged countries (such as Sierra Leone, of Blood Diamond fame). It was during this time that Stephen realised he wanted to enter medicine. "Partly, for humanitarian reasons," he says. "But mostly, because I think I would enjoy it, and that is a good enough reason alone."

Stephen says he would like to combine his love of maths with his interest in medicine, and that neuroscience is "definitely a possibility".

Stephanie Mercuri (Vic)

Year of birth: 1991 School: Ruyton Girls' School Subjects: Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, English, Psychology, 20th Century

Stephanie Mercuri is 16 years old and has always enjoyed an academic challenge. From an early age Stephanie was fascinated by astronomy, how things worked and why we were here. She is a keen netball player and has won best team player, coach's award, and participated in two premiershipwinning teams. She also enjoys karate and is working towards achieving her black belt.

Her interest in science has led her towards a desire to achieve a career in medicine. She is particularly interested in neurosciences, and her work experience placement at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne reinforced her attraction to neurosurgery and neurology. With a diverse academic interest, Stephanie has achieved: National Geographic Channel, Australian Geography Competition; High Distinction Science Talent Search - Intermediate Experimental Research Section; Major Bursary University of New South Wales Financial Literacy Assessment - High Distinction.

A keen AFL supporter, Stephanie follows Carlton and also enjoys snow skiing and playing soccer for her school team. Movie nights and shopping with her friends also get squeezed into her busy week. "I've just caught the travel bug after travelling through China and Europe," Stephanie says. "One of my life goals would be to do further post-graduate study overseas at a prestigious university, such as Cambridge, Oxford or one of the ivy league universities in the USA."

Casey Linton (Qld) (Second Place)

Year of Birth: 1992 School: Somerset College Subjects: Chemistry, biology, German, Maths B, English, Economics

Casey Linton is currently undertaking the International Baccalaureate at Somerset College. She says she enjoys her academic studies. Her awards include the Griffith University (Gold Coast) Medal for dux of year 10.

Her passion for learning the German language has led her to take part in an exchange program with students from Dusseldorf. She won the Mary Beasey Prize for English last year, and has had one of her short stories published.

She had planned a career in clinical medicine but she says the experience of being involved with the Queensland Brain Institute has shown her that scientific research is an equally interesting avenue to explore.

Away from the classroom Casey's interests include surfing, soccer and scuba diving. She also loves horror movies and says that after the Brain Bee activities are completed she will be joining her friends to watch "Zombie Honeymoon".

Yasmin Soliman (WA)

Year of birth: 1993 School: St Mary's Anglican Girls' School, Western Australia Subjects: As Yasmin is still in Year 10, she takes the four core subjects and her electives which include sport science, culture and history through film, art and French.

Yasmin Soliman's academic interests include biology, human biology and maths. Her personal interests include reading books, a fact which is highlighted by her large book collection and ability to read for hours! She enjoys creative writing especially poems and acting which she expresses in school productions.

So far she has received "academic excellence" awards in year 8 and 9 and is aiming for the same award this year. Passionate about science, Yasmin was also chosen to be a participant in the International BioGENEius Challenge. Last year she was awarded a certificate for her poem entitled "The Interpretation" in the Young Writer's West Australian Competition, and she received a high distinction in reading and writing for her French skills, and a distinction for her listening skills in the Alliance Francaise exam.

Although Yasmin is as yet uncertain about which direction she will take for her career, she is considering medicine, neuroscience, biomedical science or a combined science and arts degree.

Hayden Lee (ACT)

Year of birth: 1993 School: Canberra Grammar School Subjects: Science, Maths, English, Music, Chinese, Latin, History and Geography

Hayden Lee has lived all his life in Canberra. He has a strong interest in music and plays the piano and the flute (both at AMus level). According to Jason his other passions, which include Play Station and sci-fi, are shared by many of his friends.

So far Hayden has enjoyed academic success at Canberra Grammar school, receiving the "Academic Achievement" prize each year, and the academic scholarship for years 11 and 12. He got a high distinction and received an "Award of Excellence" plaque in the Australian National Chemistry Quiz in 2007, and has achieved high distinctions in the UNSW Australian Science Competition every year for the past five years.

Hayden has won the music scholarship at his school and more than 40 awards in the National Piano Eisteddfod and National Flute Eisteddfod; 14 of which were first prizes, over the last seven years. He also enjoys debating competitions.

"I represent my school every year in debating competitions," he says. Hayden won the state finals in both "Aussiespeak 2007" (a national public speaking competition) and the National Chinese public speaking competition in 2008, and then went on to represent ACT in their respective national finals.

Because he comes from a medical family, Hayden says there is lots of inspiration for him to pursue a medical career. "I'll have to stay focused and work very hard in the next two years to try and gain admission to a medical school."

Katie Dyke (Tas)

Katie Dyke was born in Hobart, Tasmania, where she currently attends Dominic College. She has many different interests and hobbies outside of school and is currently throwing herself whole-heartedly into army cadets.

Katie enjoys reading and poetry and her favourite subjects include English and creative writing. An interest in science and wanting to further her knowledge of the world encouraged her to select "Science Extended" as an elective, which has led to her to representing Tasmania in the ABBC.

Katie entered many academic competitions for science, English, mathematics and geography over the years, but the ABBC has been her most interesting and exciting competition to date. She has represented Tasmania with the army cadets in the Chief of Army, Cadet Team Challenge, a prestigious competition in which she and her fellow team mates achieved third place.

Katie has won many awards for academic excellence within her school and represented Dominic College at many sporting competitions. "Until now, I had always wanted a career in the military," Katie says.

However, competing in the ABBC has made her realise there are many more opportunities open to her. Entering the Brain Bee has helped her to better understand her full academic potential. "There are a range of career options open to me, but I am only fifteen so I have a long time before I have to start worrying too much about what I will do for a full-time career," she says.

The ABBC would like to thank the following sponsors: