Year 12 student Ishan Umranikar will represent Australia at the International Chemistry Olympiad in Uzbekistan, following a remarkable journey that began with a simple curiosity about science.
While Ishan has enjoyed science since primary school, it was not until starting at Melbourne Grammar that chemistry truly captured his interest. Through exposure to more advanced concepts, he discovered a subject that combined many of the subjects he enjoyed most.
“My favourite thing about chemistry is the way it seamlessly merges many other disciplines, such as physics and mathematics,” he says.
“Chemistry is sort of an endless puzzle, one which manages to keep me fascinated with every new thing I learn.”
Ishan’s path to the international team began in 2024 where he sat the Australian Science Innovations Physics Olympiad examination and was invited to attend a summer school program at the Australian National University. Although he was not selected for the international physics team, the experience inspired him to continue pursuing Olympiad opportunities.
The following year, he sat both the physics and chemistry Olympiad examinations and was invited to attend summer schools in both subjects. Choosing chemistry, he found a passion for the discipline through this first experience of university-level study.
After months of preparation and strong performances in the final selection examinations, Ishan earned a place on the Australian team for the International Chemistry Olympiad.
The competition will see students from around the world complete two five-hour examinations. The first is a practical laboratory assessment involving synthesis, analysis, and titration tasks, while the second is a theory examination covering concepts well beyond the secondary school curriculum.
Reflecting on his achievement, Ishan is most grateful for the support he has received throughout the process.
“Throughout my journey to this point I have been supported by teachers and peers, without whom I may not have had the motivation to progress as far as I have,” he says.
Alongside the competition itself, Ishan is looking forward to meeting like-minded students from across the globe and experiencing Uzbekistan’s culture and cuisine.
Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue further studies in a science related field, potentially overseas in the United States or United Kingdom.
We congratulate Ishan on this outstanding achievement and wish him every success as he represents Australia on the international stage.
