Our niece Rachael recently competed in the international finals of the Brain Bee competition in Florence, Italy. Open to secondary school students, competitors are quizzed on their knowledge of neuro science - a fairly demanding topic at the best of times. Having triumphed convincingly in local and Australasian competition, Rachael was pitted against winners from around the world in a gruelling 8 hour event. In most sections she excelled, coming first or second. Unfortunately her natural shyness let her down a bit in the patient diagnosis section, where competitors have to interact with adult actors pretending to present symptoms of various brain conditions and have to work out what's wrong with them. As such she came 5th equal, though was within touch of the leader and well clear of 7th place.
We are all very proud and in awe of Rachael's commitment to and amazing achievement in what must be one of the most intellectually demanding activities a teenager could get involved with. Bravo!
She's since enjoyed some R'n'R in Europe with her very supportive sister Laura and father Esko.
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| Rachael (middle row, third from right) with fellow competitors |
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| Rachael with the Australian entrant and the President of the Australasian Neuroscience Society |
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