He may only be 12 but Jun Nakamaru-Pinder is a maths whizzkid in a league of his own. And, the Aberdeen pupil will be making a flying visit to the University of Aberdeen later today (Tuesday, February 5) to get a VIP tour round the School of Biological Sciences.
Last July, Jun hit the news headlines after winning a place in the top 50 of the prestigious Junior Maths Olympiad, seeing off competition from 1,200 other children.
During one of his interviews with the press, he explained that he wanted to be an ornithologist when he grows up, but that he didn't think there was much maths in ornithology.
Mandy Tulloch, Development Co-ordinator at the University of Aberdeen Natural History Centre heard his interview and decided to contact Jun's mum, Fumi Nakamaru-Pinder, and the Headteacher at Harlaw Academy, John Murray. She extended an invitation to Jun to visit the School of Biological Sciences to show him how his talent could come in extremely useful in pursuing a career in biological sciences.
Jun was delighted to accept and will spend tomorrow afternoon getting a whistlestop tour to see some of the ornithological and mathematical research which is currently being done within the School.
Dr Jane Reid, a Research Fellow will give Jun a bird ringing demonstration and describe how she uses this type of capturing technique in her research. Jane studies sparrow, chough and starling colonies to see how behaviour, genes and the environment affect their population numbers.
Professor Xavier Lambin, Professor of Ecology will explain how he uses maths and statistics to design computer modelling systems to aid his ecological research into predator-prey relationships, including how mink affect the population levels of the now rare water vole.
A Student Facilitator at the Natural History Centre, Shawn Webster, will also spend some of the afternoon chatting to Jun about the adventurous times he had on the remote Orcadian island of Eynhallow. Shawn took part in one of the longest running research projects in the world, looking into the ecology of the fulmar seabird.
Mandy is very much looking forward to welcoming Jun to the Institution. She said: "I was very impressed to hear of Jun's achievements at the Junior Maths Olympiad last summer and was delighted to hear that he wanted to be an ornithologist when he grows up.
"The part that intrigued me the most was that he wasn't sure how his talent could be of any use to him in becoming a scientist, when, in reality, maths can be a vital tool in furthering the knowledge and conservation of all species, including birds.
"My colleagues and I, therefore, decided to invite him along for a fun visit to the University to show him how useful his maths skills could be if he does indeed decide to become an ornithologist."
Jun, who is originally from Japan but has lived in Scotland since he was a baby, has always loved numbers. He said: "I first took an interest in birds around about my tenth birthday, when I received a bird book as a present. Recently, thinking about careers opportunities, which will influence the subjects I take for Standard Grade over the next two years, I started to wonder if mathematics and ornithology were fairly closely related, if at all. I was delighted to be invited to a "talk" by The University of Aberdeen, and I sprang at the opportunity immediately."
He first started using a calculator at the age of two and when he started school, teachers noticed he was much more advanced than other pupils. Teachers decided to teach him at an advanced level and by primary five he was attending secondary school. Special arrangements were made so he could attend Harlaw Academy twice a week to study for his standard grade.
Jun has already passed his Standard Grade exam, which is usually sat by 14 to 16 year olds. He is on track to finish his Higher maths course three years ahead of schedule and on Wednesday this week, will sit his Higher Maths exam.
Jun will be accompanied on the visit by one of his friends, Josh Banks.