When Wenjing began her double degree in Engineering and Biomedical Science, she was driven by her enjoyment of physics and maths, but with a unique vision: to apply engineering concepts in medical contexts to improve patients' lives. Six and a half years later, that curiosity has evolved into a passion for sustainability and materials science that's shaping her future career.

Embracing every opportunity the university offers

Wenjing's approach to university life is open and purposeful. "I'm very lucky to have a loving home and constant family support, which gave me the privilege to try so many different activities at university," she reflects. "Because I know I'm in that lucky situation, I often feel the need to make the most out of it."

The university community also plays a big part in motivating Wenjing to grab onto opportunities. "Being immersed in a culture that embraces the mindset of 'I can do more, I can do better and I want to learn' motivates me to push harder. There's no better support network than those who genuinely want to see you thrive, and that's exactly what I've found here at Monash."

Discovering her passion and career pathway

The double-degree structure gave Wenjing both breadth and depth across two distinct fields, ultimately helping her discover her true calling. "Throughout the degree, I realised my passion in materials and chemistry, with a sharpened intent to create impact and make lives better through sustainability."

The turning point came in her fourth year during MTE4201, a unit that investigates materials' role in modern society. "I realised the enormous amount of waste generated by the fashion industry and how this waste was expected to grow exponentially." Wenjing did her final-year project and work experience with Alt. Leather, a startup producing 100% bio-based leather, where she was mentored by Dr Tuan Nguyen. This deepened her understanding of the effects of consumerism and the working conditions in the manufacturing sector.

Her collaborative research into hemp fibres in fashion, biomimicry, cotton seed modifications, and biodegradable plastics during her studies opened her eyes to the potential of materials innovation in the sustainability sector. "While all materials have their unique properties, it's essential to assess their suitability for specific applications and their impact throughout every stage of the supply chain."

Vice-Chancellor's Ancora Imparo Leadership Program

In her second year, Wenjing joined the Vice-Chancellor's Ancora Imparo Leadership Program, an experience she describes as transformative. Unlike traditional leadership coaching, "Ancora Imparo questions our leadership and, on an individual level, our values and decision-making."

The program featured distinguished speakers sharing their experiences navigating difficult circumstances, coupled with in-depth discussions among participants. "The program moderators – David Copolov, Djuke Veldhuis, Lucy Donaldson and Amber Kerwin – really cultivated a safe, honest and respectful environment for opinions to be shared and heard," Wenjing notes. "I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to further their personal development and challenge their perspective through empathy."

Involvement in student teams

Across her university journey, Wenjing joined multiple student teams: Robogals Monash, Monash Forge, Monash Young Medtech Innovators (MYMI), and Melbourne Bioinnovation Student Initiative (MBSI). Each experience helped her identify her goals and grow into subsequent roles.

Her most significant involvement was with Monash Forge, a metallurgy-focused team involving blacksmithing and casting molten metal using sustainable practices. Starting as a Foundry Education member during COVID, she progressed through R&D roles before becoming Safety Lead.

"One of my most memorable experiences was establishing the Safety team, developing procedures and protocols that laid the foundation for a strong safety culture," she recalls. "I loved the team culture because everyone shared the same passion for doing more and doing better. Unknowingly, I ended up dedicating endless hours out of pure enjoyment."

In this team, Weijing found joy in spearheading projects, collaborating with others, and mentoring the next generation of team members to take on significant projects and challenges. This experience also revealed her strengths: "I realised that I thrive in team settings and in projects that require innovation and creativity."

Finding internship experiences in areas of interest

Wenjing's internships provided crucial insights into her interests and abilities. During her industry internship at Visy R&D under Dr Thilina Gunawardhana, she examined the material properties of different paper grades, investigating whether one mechanical testing machine could replace another while gaining insights into paper quality through data correlation.

Her self-sourced internship at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health proved even more impactful. Working in the Oxidation Biology lab under Dr. Ya Hui Hung, she contributed to research seeking an mRNA cure for Niemann-Pick Disease Type C, known as childhood Alzheimer's. Through hands-on wet lab experience including cell culture and imaging, she identified possible brain barrier breaches in patients – findings now adopted as a core research focus for developing drug delivery strategies.

"This research is important in ensuring a successful transition from lab-based research to clinical applications," she explains, highlighting the real-world impact of her work.

A vision for the future

Wenjing's career aspirations are simple: "Learn as much as I can, help as many people as I can, take care of my parents, and be happy in what I do." All her experiences gave her a taste of what it's like to work in different fields and work on projects that she thought were fun to work on. Now, she knows that she's drawn to challenging, innovative projects in the health and sustainability sectors, recognising that collaboration brings out her best work. "I also recognise I may not be at the level of expertise to contribute meaningfully yet, which is why I'm eager to learn and grow as much as I can."

Life on Clayton campus

Clayton campus is always bustling, no matter the time of the year. "During the day, you see students in classes and libraries, getting food, or finding car parks. Between and after classes, you see students attending extracurriculars – usually part-time jobs, student teams, societies, or sports clubs. Even during peak assessment periods, you'll still find students committed to their extracurriculars."

Advice to future students

For students feeling nervous about starting university, Wenjing offers a reassuring perspective: "Feeling nervous is a good thing – it means you're stepping out of your comfort zone, trying something new, and showing that you want to do well. This sets you up for growth."

Her practical advice focuses on building confidence through connection: "Join a club to meet people with common interests, ask older students about their career decisions, or seek guidance from lecturers and teaching associates." Most importantly: "Be curious, don't stop trying new things, and grow to be comfortable with the unfamiliar."