Home > AMSI Foundation > 2024 AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female Specialist Maths High School Scholars

The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) is delighted to announce the recipients of the inaugural AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female Specialist Maths High School Scholarships.

Scholarship recipients will have access to support from the AMSI maths teaching specialists, the opportunity to attend AMSI programs, meet current university maths students and industry partners – to be inspired by all that continuing to study maths has to offer.

2025/26 AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female Specialist Maths High School Scholars

Crystal Lam

Scholarship recipient Crystal LamMy name is Crystal Lam. I am a student at Thomastown Secondary College and will be in Year 11 in 2025. I love and enjoy mathematics because it challenges me and helps me develop problem solving skills. I have also completed units 1 and 2 of math methods in 2024 as a year 10 student.

My math teachers at school are my role models. I want to pursue Bachelor of Education course at university. I hope to become a high school maths teacher and promote the interest of all students, especially girls in the STEAM careers. Thanks to the scholarship offered by AMSI I am lucky to pursue my passion in the field of mathematics and do my best at school. In my spare time, I like reading and taking my dog for walks.

Grace Bramwell

Scholarship recipient Grace BramwellMy name is Grace Bramwell, I am in year 10 and attend Cobram Secondary College. I love maths for multiple reasons; it’s intriguing, fun, and I enjoy doing it. Math works in such a unique way, with some concepts that seem so outlandish that you would never expect them to work, and yet they do. Everything in maths I love learning about, and there isn’t anything that doesn’t intrigue me.

My goal with the Yuille-Umbers Scholarship is to improve my mathematical skills, especially in specialist maths. I would like to do my absolute best in specialist and try my hardest. I plan to use the scholarship to achieve this goal, by tutoring and mentoring, as I must complete this class online. In the future I would like to do an area of study in zoology or environmental science, and work in fields related to climate science. I also would like to become a maths teacher later in the future, as my math teachers that I have had throughout school have inspired me greatly. Additionally, working in a job where I get to teach and talk about maths interests me.

Mia Costa

Scholarship recipient Mia CostaI’m Mia Costa, I’m currently in year 10, and I’m a maths-loving student at St Albans Secondary College. Mathematics has always been a subject that I can rely on to challenge my understanding and expand my knowledge. At first glance, maths is just numbers and symbols placed side-by-side, but with deeper consideration, you begin to realise that it fosters an effective problem-solving, resilient mindset that is not only used within the subject, but in everyday life, and is why I hold mathematics in such high regard. With this invaluable advantage provided by the Yuille-Umbers Scholarship, I plan to make the most of every program and mentorship offered. I know that, with the abundance of resources and opportunities presented, this scholarship will encourage me to reach my highest potential and achieve my future aspirations.
In the future, I hope to pursue a career in engineering. I enjoy the adaptability and math-heavy workload of the job, and I strive to go down the field of biomedical or chemical engineering.

Natalia Shimona

Scholarship recipient Natalia ShimonaMy name is Natalia Shimona, and I am currently in Year 10 with plans to study a Year 12 accelerated subject. I attend Elevation Secondary College, a relatively new public school, where I have been a student since Year 7. Among the many subjects I take, mathematics is the one I find most intriguing and rewarding. What fascinates me about mathematics is its complexity and the challenge it presents, especially at higher levels. Solving a complicated problem feels incredibly satisfying and is a great confidence booster. Mathematics is also unique because it offers multiple ways to approach a solution, making it a deeply personal yet universal discipline. Unlike languages, mathematics is universal, while people don’t communicate directly through maths, it provides a common language for understanding and solving problems worldwide.

Being offered the Yuille-Umbers Scholarship would support my goal of excelling in Specialist Mathematics and applying my learning to real-world problems. This foundation will not only enhance my high school studies but also prepare me for future challenges in university and beyond. I aspire to pursue architecture, a field where mathematics and art intersect. I draw inspiration from a well-known female architect, Zaha Hadid, who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. Initially dismissed as a ‘paper architect,’ she defied expectations and gained global recognition for her innovative and eye-catching designs. Her story motivates me to strive for excellence in a field that is both demanding and creative. This scholarship will empower me to deepen my understanding of mathematics and embrace its role in shaping my future as an architect.