WA Brain Bee champion visits the institute
Perth Modern Year 10 student Beau Scadden, winner of the 2019 WA Brain Bee Championship visited the Perron institute and The University of Western Australia recently.
Beau’s visit was organised by Associate Professor Jenny Rodger, state coordinator of the Brain Bee and head of Brain Plasticity Research at the Perron Institute and UWA.
During the past school holidays, Beau undertook a neuroscience internship at the School of Biological Sciences, UWA and the Perron Institute. This gave him the opportunity to view various laboratories and clinical experiments led by PhD and honours students. He also listened to a range of Honours student talks on topics such as stem cell treatments for spinal cord injuries and the changes observed in the brain after minor burns.
Of his experience at the institute, Beau said: “The Perron Institute is a most engaging and informative organisation, providing excellent teaching and valuable experiences. My internship was a great opportunity for me to learn about new techniques and treatments being developed by neurologists and researchers.”
Beau also had advice for future Brain Bee competitors. “Read all you can, make sure you are ready for a variety of questions and make the most of your opportunities,” he said.
The 15-year-old has written a scientific paper for the CSIRO on management of the environmental threat caused by corellas. He will compete in the National Brain Bee Challenge at the Australasian Neuroscience Society meeting in Adelaide next month.