Former Ballarat Grammar student Siobhan Tobin will take her physics research to the UK’s prestigious Oxford University after being awarded the Victorian Rhodes Scholarship.
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Ms Tobin, now a graduate physicist at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, followed her love of science during her years at Buninyong Primary School, then built on that at Ballarat Grammar where she represented Australia in the Physics Olympiad program.
She beat out hundreds of other applicants to be awarded the scholarship, one of nine awarded in Australia each year.
“Without getting a scholarship such as the Rhodes, I wouldn’t have been able to study at Oxford as international students have to pay pretty steep fees,” she said. “This has given me access to one of the best universities in the world, and for the kind of science I’m interested in, Oxford is close to some very big science facilities that I will hopefully get to use as part of my graduate studies,” she said.
After graduating from Ballarat Grammar in 2012 with an ATAR of 99.90, Ms Tobin completed a Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) majoring in physics with first class honours at the Australian National University. She plans to study a DPhil in condensed matter physics in exotic electric and magnetic behaviours of materials, which may lead to new developments in sensor, storage and quantum information technologies.
She applied for the Rhodes Scholarship with her specific field of physics in mind.
“I have had an open mind throughout my studies about where my career in science might go. I’m glad that I had the Rhodes Scholarship on my radar and people encouraged me to apply.”
Ms Tobin’s earliest taste of science was at Buninyong Primary School.
“I had a really good teacher in primary school who didn’t hesitate to let me do little projects in whatever I was interested in,” she said.
“Then I was able to follow that up in secondary school in the Physics Olympiad selective program that in the end saw me represent Australia overseas.
“That really gave me confidence that I could do physics and do it well, and if I followed that capability up there was a future for me in science.”
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Her involvement with the Physics Olympiad has come full circle with Ms Tobin now the director of the Australian Physics Olympiad Program, inspiring and training talented high school students to become passionate and engaged in STEM.
“This award will support my career as a physicist while maintaining a significant interest in the accessibility of science and education at all levels,” she said.
In addition to her high-profile academic career, Ms Tobin is also an ultra-marathon trail runner, equestrian and rower.
“Undertaking a doctorate at Oxford will give her an exposure to some of the best minds and cutting-edge equipment that will help to make her an outstanding scientist for her generation,” said Victorian Rhodes selection committee honorary secretary Professor Carolyn Evans.
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