Last December, we shortlisted five inspirational high school girl mathematicians, whose commitment, intelligence and flair for the subject earned them a place on our game-changing nationwide scholarships program for 2026–27. Ìý
TheÌýtwo-yearÌý½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï Specialist Maths High School Scholarships for GirlsÌýaim to address persistently low participation rates of girls studying Specialist Mathematics.ÌýIt is open to students who intend to study Specialist Maths in Years 11 and 12.ÌýÌý
Today marks the next step in their scholarship journey. Each recipient will be paired with a highly regarded Australia-based mathematics researcher who will assist with their progression through Specialist Maths by providing mentorship and resources. Ìý
Let’sÌýmeet our mentors…Ìý
Celia Dowling (they/she), The University of Melbourne | Mentor to Abigail McCallum
isÌýa PhD candidate,ÌýtutorÌýand courseÌýassistant at the University of Melbourne.ÌýTheyÌýhaveÌýa Master of Science, specialising in mathematical biology.ÌýTheirÌýresearchÌýpertains to building and testing mathematical models of biological systems including migrating whale pods, frogs in patchy habitats, nanoparticle delivery to cells, and tumour spheroid growths.ÌýÌý
Kimberley Dennis, The University of Sydney |ÌýMentorÌýtoÌýAlice NavarreÌý
Kimberly is a Master of Mathematical Sciences student studying pure mathematics. She is also a physics tutor and a postgraduate teaching fellow at the University of Sydney.Ìý
A lifelong learner, Kim aims to create an environment in which students feel safe to explore their curiosity and to help them become versatile problem-solvers. Kim has aÌýMaster’sÌýbyÌýResearchÌýinÌýPhysics from the Australian National University (ANU).Ìý
DrÌýIndu Wadhawan, Queensland University of Technology | Mentor toÌýChloe MahonyÌý
is aÌýLecturer in Mathematics and Statistics at Queensland University of Technology. She has overÌý22 years of academic experience across different universities.Ìý
HerÌýresearchÌýinterests lie in quantitative data analysis and the optimisation of transportation and allocation problems.ÌýHerÌýexemplaryÌýteachingÌýrecord has been recognised byÌýSenior Fellow and Associate Fellow (Indigenous Knowledges) awards from the Higher Education Academy (HEA)Ìýin the UnitedÌýKingdom.Ìý
NargesÌýShabgard, University of New EnglandÌý| Mentor toÌýEmilyÌýNgoÌý
is aÌýPhD candidate inÌýAppliedÌýMathematics at the University of New England,ÌýwhereÌýsheÌýalso teachesÌýmathematicsÌýto undergraduate students.ÌýHerÌýresearchÌýfocuses on numerical analysis of partial differential equations, particularly free boundary problems motivated by ecological applications.ÌýSheÌýisÌýpassionate about supporting and encouraging young women to pursueÌýcareers inÌýmaths.Ìý
Chengfan Gu, RMIT University | MentorÌýtoÌýSylviaÌýHoÌý
RMIT University Researcher and Tutor Chengfan is an expert in materials research and simulation. Her materials research focuses on fundamental issues associated with metallic alloys and soft tissues in order to establish advanced structure analysis and properties characterisation methodologies in the micro/nano space.Ìý
During COVID-19,ÌýsheÌýhelpedÌýto develop aÌýsimulation conceptÌýwhile working as a research scientist at the Centre for Smart Health in Hong Kong,ÌýwhichÌýenabled interactions betweenÌýdata measurement,ÌýmodellingÌýand practical applications. ThisÌýconceptÌýenabled systems to respond toÌýchanging real-world conditions; capturingÌýcondition dataÌýin real time.Ìý
