Uma Jha is the smartest student in Australia.
The 14-year-old’s knowledge of neuroscience has led to her crowning as Australia's "brainiest'' student.
Uma, of Indian origin, from Perth's Shenton College, in Shenton Park, outsmarted more than 4000 national competitors to win the 2010 Australian Brain Bee Challenge.
The neuroscience competition tests high school students on a range of topics, including intelligence, memory, emotions, sleep, Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
In front of a live audience in Sydney on Monday, Uma competed against other state winners in the national final of the competition, which included a brain-teasing anatomy exam, doctor-patient diagnosis and a neuroscience quiz.
"The competition was tied right up until the end and it was a really nerve-wracking finish,'' Uma told media after the event.
"I've never won a national science competition before, so it's amazing.''
As the Australian Brain Bee Champion, she will travel to California for the International Brain Bee Challenge in August.
Linda Richards, competition organiser and Queensland Brain Institute professor, said it would be a fantastic opportunity for Uma.
"She has shown that she has a special talent and passion for neuroscience and we're very proud of her to be representing Australia at the international level,'' Prof Richards said.
The Australian runner-up was Andrew Li, from James Ruse Agricultural High School in New South Wales.
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