2026-27 Scholars
Emily Ngo
Chloe Mahony
Abigael Cordero
Abigail McCallum
Sylvia Ho
Alice Navarre
The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) is delighted to announce the recipients of the inaugural AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female Specialist Maths High School Scholarships.
2025-26 Scholars
2026/27 AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female Specialist Maths High School Scholars
Awarded in the name of Jane Street:
Emily Ngo
Emily Ngo, Cabramatta High School, NSW: Mathematics has always been a fascinating concept for me, where numbers and the world around us connect like an infinite puzzle with endless possibilities. My passion for mathematics comes from its ability to challenge and push me to new heights, where my skill, love and determination to study drive me towards my goals. My study of Extension Mathematics in Years 11 and 12 will be strengthened by this opportunity… I aspire to spark change within STEM and encourage other young women to participate and excel in the field.
Chloe Mahony
Chloe Mahony, MacKillop Catholic College, QLD: I have a passion for mathematics; I’m drawn to its logical and problem-solving nature that challenges me to think critically and prepares me for real-world applications. I find maths intriguing and fun, with concepts that often seem outlandish yet work in remarkable ways, sparking my curiosity and motivating me to learn more. This scholarship will support me in achieving my best in Specialist Mathematics. Whether applying mathematics to engineering, or medical sciences, I am motivated to use this scholarship to continue building a future where maths remains at the heart of my work and passions.
Abigael Cordero
Abigael Cordero, Berri Regional Secondary College, SA: Mathematics is a subject that I value deeply because of the discipline that it teaches. Achieving success in maths involves analytical thinking, resilience and the willingness to learn from your mistakes. Beyond numbers and symbols, mathematics develops problem-solving skills that are essential in real-world applications. As a recipient of this scholarship, my goal is to further strengthen my problem-solving and analytical skills in Specialist Maths for 2026 and 2027. It will also prepares me for my future aspirations, where I aim to pursue a career in dentistry. The discipline, resilience and problem-solving skills developed through mathematics are essential to foster a safe and effective working environment.
Abigail McCallum
Abigail McCallum, Sheffield School, TAS: Mathematics has always been a subject of interest and enjoyment to me, I like how everything connects in different areas of maths, it reminds me of the different parts of a machine that make it work, and how there are right and wrong answers. My goal in Years 11 and 12 is to continue studying advance Mathematics and Chemistry, aiming to also complete the maths units within the Utas High Achievers Program. I am aiming to enter university to study a Bachelor of Science, majoring in mathematics and chemistry. With the AMSI Female Specialist Maths Jane Street Scholarship, coming from a small rural town, I will have more opportunities and resources to extend my Maths knowledge and share my interest and enjoyment in maths with like-minded people. After completing my university studies, I would like to enter a career in environmental science.
Sylvia Ho
Sylvia Ho, St Albans Secondary College, VIC: From a young age, I have been driven by a desire to understand how the world works. Mathematics, particularly Specialist Mathematics, gives me a powerful tool to explore that curiosity. What I love most about maths is its ability to turn complex questions into moments of clarity. Each challenging problem strengthens my confidence, resilience, and belief that persistence leads to understanding. Being selected is both an honour and a motivation. Through this opportunity, I will deepen my mathematical thinking, learn from inspiring mentors and grow in a community that values curiosity and ambition. I aspire to pursue a career in science and mathematics-related fields, where mathematics is the key component to solving real-world problems and driving innovation.
Awarded in the name of Praeger-Henstridge:
Alice Navarre
Alice Navarre, Esperance Senior High School, WA: My enjoyment of mathematics stems from a deep curiosity about how the world operates at both fundamental and complex levels. Mathematics provides a structured yet creative framework through which patterns in physics, chemistry, technology, and even human behaviour can be understood and connected. I am particularly drawn to the idea that a single problem can be approached and solved through multiple pathways, all leading to the same truth. My goal is to further develop my mathematical thinking and apply it meaningfully to contemporary and future scientific challenges. I am especially motivated by mathematics’ role as a universal language — one that transcends borders and cultures — and its power to drive innovation in science and technology. Looking ahead, I aspire to pursue a career in astrophysics, where advanced mathematics will allow me to explore and explain cosmic phenomena.
2025/26 AMSI Yuille-Umbers Female Specialist Maths High School Scholars
Jaishmeen Brar
My name is Jaishmeen Brar, and I am a Year 11 student at Elevation Secondary College. I have a deep passion for mathematics, enjoying its logical and problem-solving aspects to challenge me to think critically and prepare me for real-world applications that help us understand its true potential.
Through the Yuille-Umbers Scholarship, I aim to strengthen my mathematical skills and knowledge to not only undertake Specialist Mathematics in 2025 and 2026 but further towards my goals. I wish to pursue a career in Mechanical and Software/Systems Engineering, both of which rely heavily on mathletics. Specialist Math will allow me to grasp a better understanding of the knowledge required of me in my future studies, motivating me to get a head start before entering uni, this is made even more possible by the opportunities presented by the Scholarship.
Grace Bramwell
My name is Grace Bramwell, I am in year 11 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
I’m Mia Costa, I’m currently in year 11, 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
My name is Natalia Shimona, and I am currently in Year 11 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.
