Centennial Trust continues to support Old Boys The ONU Centennial Trust was established by the ONU in 1995 to celebrate its centenary year. The first endowment was awarded in 1996 and since then it has Dr William Ngiam (ON 2010) supported young Old Boys in various fields and with various interests with a cash endowment of $10,000 to $20,000 each After his time at Newington, William completed a Bachelor of year. The 2021 recipients were Mr Eric Shi (ON 2010) and Dr William Psychology with First Class Honours and a PhD in Psychology at the Ngiam (ON 2010). University of Sydney. In the years following, William has been working as a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Chicago, researching the perceptual and neural mechanisms that determine how visual Mr Eric Shi (ON 2010) information is encoded and retained for ongoing perception and cognition. His research has been published in scientific journals Eric Shi attended Newington College from 1999 to 2010, graduating such as Psychophysiology, the Journal of Experimental Psychology: as Dux of the College after completing the International Baccalaureate General and the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Diploma Programme. During his time at the College, he was Captain Memory and Cognition. of Chess from 2007 to 2010, Captain of the 2nds Debating team in 2010 and Captain of Metcalfe in 2010. William has a passion for advocating for the improvement of science by promoting reproducible research practices and making Eric then completed a combined BA (Hons)/LLB (Hons) degree at scientific research available to all – broadly known as the Open the University of Sydney, during which he participated in numerous Science movement. He serves as a steering committee member of national and international mooting competitions. Highlights included ReproducibiliTea, a grassroots initiative for early-career researchers to winning the 17th International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot held start Open Science communities at their institution. The initiative now in Exeter and London in 2016 and being a member of the World spans 136 institutions across 26 different countries and continues to Champion University of Sydney team that won the 58th Philip C. grow and be an impactful influence in promoting Open Science. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition held in Washington, D.C., in 2017. Outside of academia, William also dedicates his time to promoting physical and mental health and wellness. William has finished Following his graduation, Eric worked as a law graduate at the numerous running races, most notably the Chicago, New York and international law firm Allens and as an Associate to the Chief Justice Berlin marathons (three of the World Majors) and used those efforts of the Federal Court of Australia. He has now returned to Allens, as fundraisers for mental health organisations. William attributes having settled as an associate in the Disputes & Investigations his pursuit for all-round success to the wide-ranging academic and practice group, where he will remain until he begins the LLM at the co-curricular opportunities at Newington College – he was one of the University of Cambridge. first to graduate from Newington with the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and was a House Captain and part of the Cricket 2nd XI, Eric is passionate about developing advocacy skills in others and senior Chess team and the College Choir for years. fostering cultural diversity in the law. He has coached moot teams in several national and international competitions and assisted with The ONU Centennial Trust will support William as he continues his the University of Sydney’s Women’s Mooting Program. He is also research and advocacy for Open Science while navigating towards an a member of the Cultural Awareness Network at Allens and a law academic career in cognitive neuroscience. Further, William hopes to students portfolio manager at Diverse Women in Law, a role for which receive training on how to become an effective science communicator, he is presently co-organising the inaugural DWL Advocacy Program. and to build platforms that bridge the gap between scientists and the public in the hopes of tackling the current age of misinformation. Mr Eric Shi (ON 2010). Mr William Ngiam (ON 2010). Curiosity | News Autumn 2022 | Alumni, Community and Development | 59