Introducing the team representing Australia at the 2026 International Biology Olympiad!
Congratulations to the team of students selected to represent Australia at the 2026 International Biology Olympiad, which will be held from 12 to 19 July, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The following exceptional students have been chosen to represent Australia:
- Isobel McAllister – Gippsland Grammar School, VIC
- Ethan Tay – Waverley Christian College, Wantirna South Campus, VIC
- Cameron Wong – Scotch College Hawthorn, VIC
- Tiffany Yi – Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney, NSW
The team were celebrated at the Australian Olympiad Teams Announcement at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra on 22 June 2026.
Their journey started by sitting the nation-wide Australian Science Olympiad (ASO) Exam in July 2025 before being selected to attend ASO Summer School in January 2026, onsite at the Australian National University. These four students have outperformed thousands of other students in qualifying exams and intensive training to earn their place on the team.
The team have gained immense knowledge and skills during the last year, under the guidance of Program Director, Dr Julie Cooke, and Deputy Program Director, Juliey Beckman, along with a team of biology enthusiasts. Liam Murphy, IBO Team Leader, along with Julie and Juliey, will support the team when they compete overseas.
The students have been supported by their teachers and schools, along with their families and friends, to reach the prestigious achievement of being selected to represent Australia.
We want to extend our sincere wishes to the Australian team representing us at the International Biology Olympiad in 2026. Your dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring, and we have full confidence in your abilities. Best of luck!
Isobel McAllister
Gippsland Grammar School, VIC
Isobel, an alum of the JSO program, loves science for ‘how the different disciplines interlink, and how exploring problems at the intersection of multiple fields can often result in the most impactful insights.’ At ASO Summer School, she enjoyed the strong sense of community among young people across all scientific disciplines.
Isobel is passionate about sustainability and developing initiatives that encourage action in fun, community-based ways. She has recently been inspired by Ludis, a Melbourne project that transforms waste tennis balls to make shoes hence preventing these from ending up in landfill. ‘I love how this applies scientific process to a recycling challenge.’
Isobel told us, ‘Currently I’m working on climate_dinos, an Instagram page that builds engagement by analogising our climate challenges with a story about the dinosaurs and magnet production.’
She is looking forward to connecting with other young people and forming international networks at the International Biology Olympiad.
Ethan Tay
Waverley Christian College, Wantirna South Campus, VIC
Ethan particularly loves ‘learning about systems; physical systems, chemical synthesis, and of course, biological systems: organ systems, intracellular processes, biochemical cascades, etc.’ He enjoys seeing the complexity that exists within our world that emerges from relatively simple behaviour.
Ethan particularly enjoyed the opportunity to use the laboratories at ASO Summer School, an experience that he does not usually have at school. He is particularly excited for the competition and the environment the International Biology Olympiads will offer. He is also keen to visit Europe for the first time.
Outside of science, Ethan plays piano and enjoys playing table tennis. ‘I also have a passion for Slavic languages and mathematics.’
Cameron Wong
Scotch College Hawthorn, VIC
Cameron, an alum of the 2025 International Junior Science Olympiad team, enjoyed the ‘atmosphere of camaraderie and collegiality’ that permeated the ASO Summer School. Being surrounded by like‑minded peers who were equally focused and eager to learn was both rewarding and humbling.
He is fascinated by the intersection of biology and chemistry, and amazed by how simple chemical properties combine to form complex biological structures.
Cameron says he ‘admires the achievement of the Human Genome Project, as it proved that any accomplishment, no matter how big, is possible if all humans collaborate as one.’
Outside of science, Cameron is a very talented musician who plays three instruments – the piano, clarinet, and saxophone.
Tiffany Yi
Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney, NSW
The ASO Summer School connected Tiffany with others who are also passionate about biology and allowed her to expand her knowledge with the support of tutors and peers. Biology is her favourite science, and she finds it fascinating to learn how life functions and the complexities that enable us to exist.
She particularly enjoys ‘learning about the human body and the brain, and the ways in which our bodies manage to keep us alive through the interconnected complex relationships between cells, tissues, organs that carry out all of our functions.’ Tiffany’s dream is to be become a Doctor of Medicine, specialising in either neurology, neurosurgery or oncology.
She is most looking forward to meeting lots of people from around the world at the International Biology Olympiad.
Outside of science, Tiffany enjoys playing video games and reading. ‘I often end up on Wikipedia rabbit holes learning about esoteric topics.’
Australian Science Olympiads (ASO) programs are run by Australian Science Innovations, a registered not-for-profit proudly delivering science extension programs for over 35 years. Each year we select and support the teams representing Australia at the International Science Olympiads.
The ASO program is supported by our Major Funder, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and our University Partner, the Australian National University. We also thank Citadel Securities for their support as Major Partner.
Learn more about Australian Science Olympiads program here.
Learn more about the 2026 International Biology Olympiad on their website www.ibo2026.lt
For updates on the Australian team during the International Biology Olympiad, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our ASI News e-letter.
