The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games kick off today!
And this had us thinking about all the amazing athletes competing. Do they love STEM as much as we do? You bet they do! We’ve rounded up 10 Paralympians who study STEM when they’re not absolutely dominating in their chosen sports. We’ll be cheering you on as you do your thing in Paris (and in your STEM studies!).
Meet the Paralympians who study STEM
1. Melissa Tapper, Bachelor of Exercise Science
Melissa is ACU alumni and a three-time Olympian and Paralympian in table tennis! She’s also the first Australian athlete to represent the country at the Olympics and Paralympics.
In Paris she was on the women’s team who unfortunately lost to Chinese Taipei. Can’t wait to see her again in the Paralympics! Go you good thing.
2. Sam Tait, computer-aided design detailing TAFE course
Watch out for Sam in the para-alpine skiing events! After the Paralympics, Sam is thinking about further STEM study in areas like astrophysics, engineering or computing science.
3. Nathan Pellissier, Master of Professional Accounting and Finance
Nathan studies at Deakin University and is a Paralympic table tennis player. He competed for Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and scored a silver medal. No doubt he’ll be going for gold in Paris.
4. Lewis Bishop, Bachelor of Exercise Physiology
QUT student Lewis is all set to represent Australia in S9 swimming at the Paralympics. He’ll compete in the 100m freestyle MC, 100m butterfly MC, 200m individual medley MC.
5. Rhiannon Clarke, Bachelor of Science (Wildlife Conservation) and Master of Biological Science
This UWA student will be representing Australia in the women’s T38 100m at the Paris Paralympics. This will be her sixth major championship. She’s already a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist and a three-time World Championship medallist. This will be her second Paralympics.
6. Bridget Murphy, Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences
With a LaTrobe University STEM degree already acquired, Bridget is pursuing another passion of hers – para-equestrian! Look out for her at the Paris Games, she’ll be riding a horse named Penmain Promise.
7. Jamieson Leeson, Bachelor of Economics
Jamieson studies full-time at UNSW and is also a boccia player. She’s pretty great too, winning a gold and silver medal at the 2022 World Championships! We can’t wait to cheer her on in Paris.
8. Sam McIntosh, Bachelor of Health Sciences
Another Deakin student! When Sam isn’t studying health sciences, he’s tearing up the track in the para-athletics. Sam has competed in five World Championships and three Paralympics. Paris will be his fourth!
9. Nazim Erdem, Diploma in Computer Programming
This five-time Paralympian is the oldest and most experienced player on the Australian wheelchair rugby team. We love that he’s also skilled up in computer programming – hope he can use those STEM + sports skills on the field to bring home a gold medal!
10. Anu Francis, Bachelor of Exercise Science
Anu is undertaking her degree at Flinders University, but right now she’s preparing for the para-triathlon events at the 2024 Paralympic Games. Fun fact: This STEM + sports star also has a Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) under her belt!
RELATED:
- Meet the STEM support staff at the Olympics
- Meet the Aussie Olympians who are also STEM stars
- STEM + sport careers
- Profile: Alex Lisney, a project manager who’s competed in the Paralympics
- 7 careers in health + sport science
Main image: Shutterstock / Freer
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