THE REFERENCE INTERVAL INSIGHT CHALLENGE 2026
From Routine Laboratory Data to Defensible Reference Decisions
Background and Purpose
Reference intervals are fundamental to clinical interpretation in laboratory medicine. While indirect methods and harmonised reference intervals provide valuable opportunities, their appropriate use requires careful judgement, transparency and a sound understanding of real-world laboratory data.
The Reference Interval Insight Challenge 2026 provides early career scientists with an opportunity to demonstrate how they approach reference interval questions in practice—ranging from indirect derivation using routine data to evidence-based decisions on the suitability of harmonised reference intervals in their own laboratories.
The Challenge
The Challenge consists of two complementary components, each focusing on a different aspect of reference interval practice.Component A - Indirect Reference Interval Derivation (Simulated PTH dataset)
Participants will analyse a simulated dataset representing routine laboratory testing for parathyroid hormone (PTH). Using an indirect approach of their choice, participants are required to estimate reference limits and report results for selected age and gender scenarios.
DATASET
The dataset represents routine LIS-style laboratory data and is provided as a downloadable Excel file (.xlsx) via this Challenge webpage. The file includes the main dataset, a data dictionary and a README sheet. No additional guidance on analysis strategy will be provided.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Participants are required to enter only the calculated central 95% reference interval (2.5th and 97.5th percentiles) in pmol/L, rounded to two decimal places, for the following age and gender combinations:
| Age (years) | Gender | Lower RI (2.5th) | Upper RI (97.5th) |
| 25 | F | ||
| 50 | M | ||
| 50 | F | ||
| 85 | F |
No written explanation, short report, abstract, figures, tables (other than the answer table above), or code should be submitted for Component A.
Component B - Local Evaluation of Harmonised Reference Intervals
Participants will use their own laboratory’s routine data to assess whether harmonised reference intervals are suitable for implementation in their local setting.
Participants are required to evaluate the harmonised reference intervals for the following serum analytes:
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- Bicarbonate
- Calcium
- Phosphate
- Total protein
- Urea
For each analyte, participants must determine whether the harmonised reference interval:
- can be adopted as-is
- requires additional local verification studies
- is not suitable for adoption
Participants must justify their conclusions using their local laboratory data.
Component B Written Submission
- Short report
- Maximum 500 words in total
- Text only — no figures, no tables, no code and no supplementary material
- Participants may decide how to allocate words across analytes
Preliminary Assessment and Scoring
All submissions will undergo an initial written assessment. The maximum total score is 100 points.
| Area assessed | Points |
| Component A – Numerical accuracy of PTH reference limits | 50 |
| Component B – Appropriateness and safety of conclusions | 20 |
| Component B – Quality of supporting reasoning using local data | 10 |
| Component B – Clarity of recommendations for laboratories | 10 |
| Overall clarity and synthesis | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Judging will prioritise sound reasoning, transparency and defensible conclusions. No specific analytical method is required or preferred.
Minor rounding differences may be considered at the discretion of the judging panel.
Conference Presentation Round September 16, 2026
The two highest-scoring participants from the preliminary assessment will be shortlisted to participate in a live presentation session at the AACB 63rd Annual Scientific Conference (14–17 September 2026). Final rankings will consider both the written submission and live presentation.
Shortlisted participants must:
Register and pay the conference registration fee
Attend the Conference in Person
Present their work and participate in discussion with the judging panel
This Challenge is open to early career scientists, including trainees and registrars, who have 10 years or less experience working in a clinical laboratory. Consideration may be given for documented career interruptions.
Submissions must be individual submissions. Team submissions will not be accepted.
Supervision or mentoring by an experienced or senior colleague is permitted and encouraged. However, the submitted work must represent the participant’s own analysis and conclusions.
Participants must include a brief statement confirming their eligibility at the time of submission.
The Component A dataset can be downloaded here. The file will include:
- The dataset
- A data dictionary
- Brief instructions
Participants must use the official dataset provided. Alternative datasets will not be accepted.
| Milestone | Date |
| Challenge launch and dataset release | 1 April 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 1 July 2026 |
| Shortlisted participants notified | 15 July 2026 |
| Live presentations at AACB 63rd ASC | 16 September 2026 |
| Final results announced | 17 September 2026 |
SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY
CHECK
Ensure you have completed both component A & B, according to the Guidelines above
SUBMIT
Download the submission form and email your entry to conference@aacb.asn.au including your full name, contact email address and contact phone number
CONFIRM
We will be in touch to confirm that your entry has been received. If you do not hear from us within 5 - 7 business days from submission please get in touch to ensure the email has been received on +61 2 9669 6600
Prize
The winner will receive complimentary registration for either the AACB 64th ASC 2027 or the 2027 Chemical Pathology Course, and the honour of being the inaugural 'Reference Interval Insight Challenge' winner.
Contact
For enquiries regarding the Challenge, please contact:
Kay Weng Choy
kayweng.choy@nh.org.au
Closing Statement
The Reference Interval Insight Challenge 2026 highlights thoughtful, transparent and defensible approaches to reference interval practice in contemporary laboratory medicine.
Participants are encouraged to apply their professional judgement and clearly articulate the reasoning behind their conclusions.
Conference Secretariat
Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine
PO Box 7336, Alexandria NSW 2015
P: (61) 2 9669 6600 E: conference@aacb.asn.au
www.aacb.asn.au