03 February,2010 08:46 AM IST | | Agencies
A 14-year-old Indian-origin girl's knowledge of neuroscience has led to her crowning as Australia's "brainiest" student. Uma Jha, from Perth's Shenton College, in inner-west Shenton Park, outsmarted more than 4,000 national competitors to win the 2010 Australian Brain Bee Challenge.
In front of a live audience in Sydney on Monday, Uma competed against other state winners in the national final of the competition, which included a brain-teasing anatomy exam, doctor-patient diagnosis and a neuroscience quiz.
"The competition was tied right up until the end and it was a really nerve-wracking finish," Uma said.
"I've never won a national science competition before, so it's amazing."
As the Australian Brain Bee Champion, she will travel to California for the International Brain Bee Challenge in August.
Competition national organiser and Queensland Brain Institute professor Linda Richards said it would be a fantastic opportunity for Uma. "She has shown that she has a special talent and passion for neuroscience and we're very proud of her to be representing Australia at the international level," said Prof Richards.
