“Network, network, network! Don’t underestimate the value in talking to people and sharing and receiving insights, connections and advice” Dr Nikki Sims-Chilton is currently the Senior Community Relations Advisor in research and relationship management at Seqwater in Brisbane. Previously she was a Principal Project Officer in the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist, Queensland Government, … More STEMM Profile: Dr Nikki Sims-Chilton | Senior Community Relations Advisor | Seqwater | Brisbane | QLD

“What gives me happiness is that I have managed to do many things beyond research in my career so far – this includes mentoring …, holding leadership positions … as well as contributing to the gender diversity space …” Professor Madhu Bhaskaran co-leads the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group at RMIT University. She is also the Associate Dean … More STEMM Profile: Professor Madhu Bhaskaran | Co-Group Leader | Functional Materials and Microsystems Research | RMIT University | Melbourne | VIC

Dr Kaye Morgan [Image: Steve Morton, Monash University] “… we can all stand up against gender stereotypes, give equal voice to both genders, take equal responsibility for unpaid work in the home and ask for flexible work arrangements” Dr Kaye Morgan is a Victorian Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Physics at Monash University, … More STEMM PROFILE: Dr Kaye Morgan BE BSc PhD | Engineer and Researcher | School of Physics | Monash University | Melbourne | VIC

“… ask the big questions, and design as-near-to-perfect experiments as possible” Dr Raelene Endersby co-leads the Brain Tumour Research Program at the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, WA. Raelene was awarded her PhD in 2003 from the Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research (formerly the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research) and undertook postdoctoral training … More STEMM PROFILE: Dr Raelene Endersby | Brainchild Fellow | Co-Head, Brain Tumour Research | Telethon Kids Institute | Perth | WA

“If a leader genuinely has the best interest in growing and developing others into future leaders, and cares for them and not just what they can do, people will do more than what you ask” Professor Linda Lua is the Founding Director of the UQ Protein Expression Facility at the University of Queensland (UQ). Linda … More STEMM PROFILE: Professor Linda Lua | Director, UQ Protein Expression Facility | University of Queensland | Brisbane | QLD

“Build your networks of collaborators and confidantes from the word start. The most successful people realise that they can’t do it all on their own” Wendy Carroll has Bachelor degrees in engineering (BE) and commerce (BCom) and a Masters in business administration (MBA). Wendy possesses over 13 years’ experience in commercial and innovation leadership roles … More STEMM PROFILE: Wendy Carroll, MBA BE BCom | Cluster Champion – Health Precincts | Jobs for NSW | NSW Department of Industry | Sydney | NSW

“A supportive working culture should allow parents to take breaks without penalising their career advancement… I’m proud I’ve been able to help shape my workplace’s parental leave package to encourage greater gender equality. Having flexible and generous leave entitlements available for both parents can help minimise the impact of parenting exclusively on women’s careers” Dr … More STEMM Profile: Dr Johanna Speirs | Senior Climate Scientist | Snowy Hydro Ltd | Sydney | NSW

“…I ask people for help or input by approaching them, introducing the issue, and then saying ‘I would value your opinion’. This has changed my life” Associate Professor Susan Rowland completed a BSc Hons and PhD in biochemistry at The University of Sydney, Australia, and a Human Frontiers in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University … More STEMM Profile: Associate Professor Susan Rowland | Teaching-focused Academic | School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences | Associate Dean Academic (Future Students and Employability) | Faculty of Science | The University of Queensland | Brisbane | QLD

“Having mentors at each stage, and across various roles, of my career has facilitated my success” Dr Rebecca Koss has more than 17 years’ international, national and statewide experience in environmental and conservation policy and strategy. Rebecca is currently a Science Writer at the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability. She is currently writing … More STEMM Profile: Dr Rebecca Koss | Science Writer | Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria | Melbourne | VIC

“Perhaps I would not have dropped out of university at 18 if I had a mentor and life would have been easier. Nevertheless, a career in science has been a wonderful joyride” Professor Frances Separovic is a Biophysical Chemist and Deputy Director of the Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia. Frances grew up in Broken … More STEMM Profile: Professor Frances Separovic FAA | Deputy Director BIO21 Institute | Chair of Chemistry | University of Melbourne | Melbourne | VIC

“…you can always surprise yourself with how strong you are” Dr Li-Ann Leow is a post-doctoral research fellow in the field of cognitive neuroscience at the Centre for Sensorimotor Performance, at the University of Queensland, with expertise in motor control, motor learning and the dopaminergic reward system. Before working at UQ, she relocated from the University of Western … More STEMM PROFILE: Dr Li-Ann Leow, PhD | Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroscience | University of Queensland | Brisbane | QLD

“I do not have a mentor because, within the masculine culture of engineering, subconscious bias pervades all women and men.  I do not trust even myself to avoid gendered assumptions” I am a mother of two wonderful sons. Born in Western Australia, I completed most of primary school in the South-West coal-mining town of Collie, … More STEMM PROFILE: Associate Professor Sally Male | Engineer and Researcher | University of Western Australia | Perth | WA

“So many large research grants awarded to teams that have not included a single woman as an investigator. Insisting on the inclusion of women as investigators, as part of the eligibility criteria would force future applicants to pay attention to the female talents around them” Professor Fabienne Mackay is an immunologist who obtained her PhD … More STEMM PROFILE: Professor Fabienne Mackay, PhD | Head of Biomedical Sciences | University of Melbourne | Melbourne | VIC

“‘Be the change you want to see’. We are the future of science and we have the ability to change the culture and equality in our workplace by our actions.” Dr Laura McCaughey is a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow working at the ithree institute (infection, immunology and innovation) at the University of Technology, … More STEMM PROFILE: Dr Laura McCaughey | Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow | University Technology Sydney | Sydney | NSW

Since writing this profile, Henry (previously Anna) has transitioned from female to male. However, he is still enthusiastic about sharing his profile, having lived experience as a woman in STEMM. Thank you Henry! “In my experience, asking ‘stupid’ questions has often led to long and enriching discussions. Being a scientist is all about asking questions, after all” The first … More STEMM Student Profile: Anna Zovaro | PhD student in Physics | Australian National University | Canberra | ACT

“The most valuable personal attribute for me has been courage. The biggest challenges I have faced personally and professionally have required that I steel my resolve…” Dr Pallave Dasari began her research career at Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, specialising in infectious diseases and Indigenous health, and is now with the University of Adelaide … More STEMM Profile: Dr Pallave Dasari | Postdoctoral Researcher | Breast Biology and Cancer Unit | The Queen Elizabeth Hospital | University of Adelaide | Adelaide | SA

“… seek out an early career researcher program and mentors, to be open to opportunities for collaboration and networking and to work in an area you are passionate about” Professor Elizabeth Sullivan is a public health physician and one of Australia’s leading perinatal and reproductive health epidemiologists. She is Assistant Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and … More STEMM PROFILE: Professor Elizabeth Sullivan | Public Health Physician and Epidemiologist | University of Technology Sydney | Sydney | NSW

“Believe that you can make it! I feel that the first step is achieving your goals, whatever it might be is to believe that you can do it!” I am an academic Biomedical Engineer and an emerging leader in the field of novel bedside technologies for newborn babies at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI). … More STEMM Profile: Dr Anushi Rajapaksa | NHMRC Early Career Fellow | Senior Research Officer | Pneumococcal Research | Murdoch Children’s Research Institute | Melbourne | VIC

“Everyone’s academic journey will be different and it can be extremely damaging to constantly hold yourself up for comparison to others” Muireann Irish is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow and Associate Professor of Psychology at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. Originally from Ireland, Muireann completed a Bachelor degree in Psychology at … More STEMM Profile: Associate Professor Muireann Irish | ARC Future Fellow | Brain and Mind Centre and School of Psychology | The University of Sydney | Sydney | NSW

“Sometimes when I’m the only woman or the youngest in the room I can feel a bit intimidated at voicing my opinion, but I’ve learnt to trust myself, and my peers and I now am a lot more confident in my own skin” Benita Husband is Director of Strategy at Norman Disney & Young (NDY), … More STEMM Profile: Benita Husband | Engineer | Director of Strategy | Executive Member | Norman Disney & Young | Melbourne | VIC