Macleans College student crowned New Zealand Brain Bee champion

Back in June, Janie won the North Island Brain Bee Challenge and was selected to visit the University of Western Australia to compete against the South Island winner and all of the Australian state winners.

The finals were held over three days as part of the Australian Neuroscience Society (ANS) conference and included written papers and a live Q & A. Competitors were also invited to the plenary lecture and to a talk on brain evolution which was part of the ANS conference. There was also time for some social events and sightseeing.

After all the marks were added up, Janie was the clear winner in the New Zealand category and was awarded the trophy as the New Zealand Brain Bee champion. She is now eligible to compete against approximately 36 other national champions at the international round in 2025.

All ten finalists from the North Island competition attended Neurological Foundation-funded internships during the October school holidays, including a visit to the Centre for Brain Research. Janie and Jerry Qiu (Kupe) both attended and enjoyed the activities.

Thank you to Associate Professor Deborah Young from the Centre for Brain Research at The University of Auckland for organising the New Zealand competition and generously sponsoring Janie and her mother’s travel to Perth. Also, thank you to Associate Professor Jennifer Rodger, Head of the Brain Plasticity Lab at The University of Western Australia, for coordinating the mentoring programme for New Zealand and Australian state winners.