Mathematician makes a splash as Rhodes Scholar

A mathematician who completed the solo Rottnest swim before turning his attention to triathlons has been named a 2025 Rhodes Scholar.

Applied mathematics honours student Jason Lu was chosen to progress to Rhodes Scholarship national selection earlier this month before being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship Australia-at-Large this week.

Japanese-born Jason, who moved to Perth at two years of age, grew up in Swanbourne and went to Christ Church Grammar School.

The Fogarty Foundation Scholar has a background in maths and complex systems science and is planning to study economics at Oxford University next year.

“In particular I want to look at how economics, policy and mathematical research intersect,” Jason said.

“There are academic research groups collaborating closely with policymakers by building sophisticated computational economics models.

“They’re providing advice to governments and central banks on economic policy, and that’s an example of the sort of space that I’m interested in.”

Jason, who started out as a long-distance swimmer before adding running and cycling to his exercise regime, is interested in experiencing all the Oxford community has to offer.

“Oxford is famous for its historic sporting and artistic clubs and societies,” he said. “The history of the institution is really attractive to me and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to interact with the diverse community of students and academics.”

Jason thanked his supervisors in the School of Physics, Maths and Computing Professor Michael Small, Associate Professor Thomas Stemler and lecturer Shannon Algar, his swim coach Jon Harrison and mentor Rohan Hardcastle for their guidance and their support of his application.

Rhodes Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, as well as talents including creative or sporting abilities and traits such as courage, kindness and strength of character.