Gippsland Grammar Year 12 student Isobel McAllister has been selected as one of four students nationwide to represent Australia at the 2026 International Biology Olympiad.
The prestigious competition will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 12–19 July, bringing together the world’s top young biology students.
Isobel joins an exceptional national team announced at Australian Parliament House in Canberra last week (22 June). The team also includes other Victorians Ethan Tay, from Waverley Christian College, Cameron Wong, Scotch College, and Tiffany Yi from Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney, NSW.
Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Tony Haymet personally congratulated Isobel at the blazer presentation.
Isobel’s selection comes after an extraordinary academic journey. She achieved a perfect study score in VCE Unit 3/4 Biology as a Year 11 student in 2025, placing her among the top biology students in the state.
But her pathway to the international team began way back in Year 7 when she was inspired by her teachers to sit the Big Science Competition then Junior Science Olympiad, as well as Curious Minds – girls in STEM program and the Australian Science Olympiad (ASO) Biology Exam in July 2025, which resulted in selection into the ASO Summer School held at the Australian National University in January 2026. From thousands of candidates nationwide, Isobel and her teammates excelled through demanding exams and intensive training programs to secure their place.
A passionate and curious learner, Isobel is inspired by the way scientific disciplines intersect to create meaningful solutions. She has a strong interest in sustainability and community-driven initiatives, drawing inspiration from innovative projects such as Melbourne-based recycling initiative Ludis.
She is also developing her own science communication platform, “climate_dinos”, an Instagram page that explores climate challenges through creative storytelling.
Reflecting on her journey, Isobel said she valued the strong sense of community among young scientists and was excited to connect with peers from around the world at the Olympiad. The Traralgon resident acknowledged the support of her School, as well as her local Rotary Club and Latrobe City Council.
Gippsland Grammar Head of Science Kylie Lambert said the School was incredibly proud of Isobel and congratulated her on this remarkable achievement acknowledging the support of her teachers, family and peers throughout her journey.
Gippsland Grammar wishes Isobel and the Australian team every success as they prepare to represent the nation on the global stage.
