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TOMORROW’S NEUROSCIENTISTS? Brain Bee wins hearts and minds Hundreds of bright Year 11 students took part in the 2025 New Zealand Brain Bee Challenge – a nationwide competition designed to spark interest in brain research. The North Island final was hosted by the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research (CBR), while the South Island event was led by Brainstem Otago (part of the University of Otago's Brain Health Research Centre), and hosted at the University of Canterbury. Brain Bee is proudly supported by the Neurological Foundation. This year we were able to give $10k to support an internship opportunity for up to 25 top scoring students from the North and South Islands. The coveted internships are a chance to spend a day as a researcher at the CBR in September, working alongside real neuroscientists. We also helped the CBR to purchase new microscopes for the event, giving students a chance to see the brain like never before. “These students are the next generation of brain explorers,” said Distinguished Professor Sir Richard Faull, CBR Director, who welcomed the North Island students at the event. “The Brain Bee lights a fire – you can see it happen on the day.” Special thanks to the CatWalk Trust and the Freemasons Foundation for their ongoing support – and huge congratulations to this year’s champions: Nakisha Wood (Carmel College) and Sam O’Hagan (Lincoln High School). We can’t wait to see what you do next! Students form Silverstream School. Azmara Mahil fromMt Albert Grammar School viewing slides of real brain cells. Auckland Girls’ Grammar School students learn about MRI scans at the Brain Bee. 16 Headlines