Macleans College students attend International Biology Olympiad in Africa

The New Zealand Biology Olympiad Team, consisting of Macleans College students Joyce Chan (Kupe House) and Yang Fan Yun (Snell), travelled to Tanzania and Malawi to undertake a two-week long research expedition as part of Operation Wallacea between 11 - 24 July.

In Tanzania, the team undertook surveys in and around Lake Kisiba, a 700 metre wide crater lake located within the African Rift Valley. Notably, the team discovered evidence an unusually patterned and previously unseen cichlid (a large and diverse family of fish), indicating the possibility of a completely new species. The team's work also pointed to the possibility of nocturnal fish residing within the lake. These contributions may prove invaluable to the research currently conducted on speciation in lake environments.

In Malawi, the team stayed in Nkhata Bay on the shores of Lake Malawi, the most biologically diverse lake in the world, where they spent six days learning to scuba dive, earning their PADI Open Water Diver registration. They subsequently learnt and practised underwater cichlid identification and surveying skills, giving them the ability to contribute positively to aquatic research in the future.

The team also had a chance to interact with the local school children and fully immerse themselves in Tanzanian and Malawian language, culture and society.

The International Biology Olympiad is an association that organizes a yearly Biology competition for secondary school students, who are winners of their respective National Biology Olympiad.

Joyce and Yang Fan were selected for the New Zealand Biology Olympiad team after attending a residential camp in April where they both achieved a Gold medal.  Article link:  New Zealand Biology Olympiad Team

The expedition to Africa was an invaluable scientific and cultural experience.