NYC 2023

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Country: Australia

Fernando is a physiotherapist and PhD candidate in the Department of Physiotherapy at Monash University. His research interests are focused on the assessment and management of musculoskeletal pain and physical activity/exercise promotion. His PhD research is investigating the promotion of exercise and education over telehealth for people with shoulder pain.

Targeting global impact, Fernando hopes to get insights and global leaders’ advice through the Global Discovery Program to assist developing a strategy for reducing physical inactivity, particularly among people living with chronic pain. Fernando is passionate about positive real-world impact and believes that knowledge sharing in the program will help to shape innovative solutions for the global challenges of the age.

Degree: Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine
Country: Australia

Katherine is an innovative penultimate medical student who is passionate about the intersection of technology, policy and medicine.

She is eagerly involved in the Monash Community: a three-time Access Monash Mentor, Vice Chancellor’s Ancora Imparo Scholar, Healthcare Innovation Summer Scholar and has been selected for the Monash Volleyball team.

Katherine is co-founder of the ‘Flu Squad’ which partners with the Immunisation Coalition to provide free influenza vaccinations across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. She has interned at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, researching vaping policy, incentives for healthcare workers and medicare reform.

Katherine is involved with the Australian Medical Students Association. As part of the National Executive, she helped write pre-budget submissions and prepare for two Senate Inquiries. Alongside three other students, Katherine created the inaugural ‘Reversing the trend: GP Roundtable’ addressing the maldistribution of doctors, with attendees including Health Minister Greg Butler and Shadow Minister Anne Ruston.

Degree: Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Information Technology
Country: Australia

Karleen is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Information Technology and Commerce. Passionate about poverty alleviation and equality, she hopes to make a difference in the lives of others and uplift living standards across the globe. She recognises the vast disparities in wealth and well-being throughout the world and believes that local communities, when mobilised, can have a global impact.

Since joining Monash University, she has volunteered as a consultant for a social enterprise as part of Monash SEED's Externship and joined impact-driven clubs and communities that strive to make a positive difference in the world Through the Global Discovery Program, she hopes to learn from a diversity of leaders from a range of industries and continue to develop new skills so that she can grow as a leader and a changemaker.

Degree:  Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
Country: Australia

My name is Junlei Shen, and I have moved to Melbourne from Shanghai to pursue a double degree in Law (Hons) and Arts at Monash University. I am currently in the second semester of my first year.

I applied for the Global Discovery Program 2023 because I am passionate about helping marginalised groups raise their profile to create a more inclusive community. In this rapidly changing digital time, I would love to learn the global approach to addressing inequalities and adapting technology and media techniques to my community project, “the Silenced”, and how corporations and organisations integrate these ideas into their strategic operations.

I aim to become a human rights lawyer and am also interested in intellectual property law. This programme is a perfect opportunity to meet with New York-based Monash Alumni to expand my professional networks and learn more about the frontend digital landscape.

Degree: Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Science
Country: Australia

During my time at university, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most driven and creative individuals. These connections have allowed me to recognise the untapped potential of students. We can action meaningful solutions for pressing issues that are deeply important to us and our community, such as the climate crisis, educational inequity, and resource management. Academically, I am very interested in STEM fields and am especially inspired by the numerous possibilities afforded to me as a woman in this area.

I applied to the Global Discovery Program to be part of a community of equally driven leaders. Our generation cares deeply about our community and global future, but we are unable to contribute to positive change effectively in the status quo. I hope that this program will help me build the relationships and skills needed to work towards enacting positive change at a global scale.

Degree: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Country: Malaysia

I am Tze Ting, currently in the third year of my Pharmacy degree, with an interest in public health and the use of technology in promoting health literacy.

I applied for the Global Discovery program to broaden my perspective beyond the healthcare world. The importance of multidisciplinary healthcare teams was strongly emphasized in university, and I thought this should not only be confined to healthcare. This made me enthusiastic about what it would be like for people from different fields to collaborate and work together. I wish to further explore the intersection between technology and healthcare during my time in the program.

From this program, I hope to gain the chance to interact with people from various backgrounds and gain more insights from the professional experience and knowledge the alumni have to offer. I also look forward to expanding my network and creating positive change.

Degree: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) / Master of Pharmacy
Country: Australia

My name is Yannee Liu, and I am a penultimate year pharmacy student. I am passionate about the intersection between healthcare, education, research, and policymaking. By being a part of the Ancora Imparo Leadership program and through peer mentoring, Monash has empowered me to 'Become the change you wish to see in the world'.

Currently, I am a volunteer student coordinator at a non-for-profit health organisation (Immunisation Coalition), Monash Parkville Student Union representative (MPSU) and research assistant exploring the theme of pharmacy education and innovation. Furthermore, I work with the Victorian Government as a youth policy advisor for the Victorian Youth Congress on youth-related subjects.

The New York Global Discovery program encompasses unique voices and diverse stories of students from all disciplines. Through this opportunity, I aim to connect and collaborate with global thought leaders and problem-solvers, building integrated networks and having conversations which act as catalysts towards global change, one story at a time.

Degree: Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine
Country: Australia

Stella is a medical student with a strong interest in public health, global health and education. Throughout her time at university, she has volunteered with Ignite Global Health Group and Operation Smile Monash, and has travelled to Cambodia and Vietnam to volunteer and gain insight into the diverse healthcare systems and health determinants within local communities in those regions.

The Monash Global Discovery Program is an incredible opportunity to connect with fellow students and international leaders. Through the program, Stella hopes to broaden her perspective, build cross-cultural competency and develop a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of our increasingly interconnected and interdependent world. She aspires to leverage the valuable insights and experiences from the Global Discovery Program to contribute towards creating a more equitable world where quality healthcare is accessible to every individual, regardless of their identity, background or circumstance.

Degree: Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Commerce
Country: Australia

Determined and ambitious by nature, Joey is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Commerce degree with hopes to work as a lawyer at an international commercial law firm. She has a passion for creating positive impacts and has channelled this passion through pro-bono consulting and Monash’s Peer Mentoring Program.

Joey applied for the Global Discovery Program as the theme of mobilising local communities for global impact is synonymous with her interest in creating positive change. She is curious to learn from like-minded peers and Monash alumni on how we can harness the power of local communities to address the imperative challenges society faces.

By participating in the program, Joey hopes to build a strong network of like-minded peers and gain insights from global leaders so that she can grow herself both professionally and personally.

This opportunity will allow her to learn about international career pathways and explore NYC with an open mind.

Degree: Master of Information Technology
Country: Australia

My name is Shreya. I am a masters of IT student. I obtained my bachelor's degree from the University of Melbourne where I majored in Neuroscience. I was fortunate enough to do an internship at the Florey institute of Neuroscience and one at Deloitte. From these experiences I started to develop my passion for technology and got the chance to understand the power technological innovations have in making an impact on our communities.

Through the Global Discovery Program, I would like to interact with influential leaders within a range of different industries and understand how they use their skills to tackle complex problems. By forming these crucial connections, I am eager to build my network, explore some of the exciting career opportunities that lie ahead and ultimately grow as a leader myself.