2021
Dr Sridevi Sureshkumar, ARC Future Fellow, Head Epigenetic Mechanisms, School of Biological Sciences
"A career in science gives you the freedom to think. As a biologist I like to look beyond the horizon and tackle scientific challenges. Whilst I am a scientist, I am also a mother of two children, and I understand the challenges that go with that. My advice to women in science is to approach challenges pragmatically, try to let go of being a perfectionist in everything you do. I used the career breaks during motherhood to continue my passion for science by attending short workshops on developing grant writing skills and studying how my colleagues wrote their grants, which equipped me to win a national fellowship.
My research focuses on Arabidopsis thaliana - a plant model which we use to study genetics. Genetic information is stored in DNA and made of chemical units called nucleotides. Due to environmental disruptions and some unknown molecular mechanisms these chemical units multiply, expand rapidly, and are known to cause a growing number of human genetic disorders. We have discovered similar problems plants. It is my hope that we can use the knowledge from the plants to manage of human genetic disorders."
Associate Professor Carly Cook, Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences
Associate Professor Carly Cook is lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences. A conservation scientist her research is focused around improving the use of science in environmental management decisions. “My advice to a female who aspires to a career in Science or Science study is to embrace maths because it’s central to everything we do in Science and can be your greatest tool,” says Associate Professor Cook. “But most importantly, do what inspires you, because that’s how you’ll remain motivated during the difficult times in your career. I try to understand the level of integration of science in decision-making, the barriers to better integration and to design decision support tools that can facilitate the uptake of science. I hope my research makes the world a better place by giving decision makers the tools to make more successful management decisions, and when unsuccessful, to learn from their actions to improve their effectiveness in the future. Dr Cook’s research has revealed that 1,500 protected areas in Australia have had their protection reduced or removed all together over the past 20 years. “And we now have a shameful record in clearing native vegetation,” she says. “I would love to understand how we can get the public engaged with conservation again, so they can pressure governments to reinstate or increase protections for biodiversity.”
Associate Professor Ailie Gallant, Senior Lecturer, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Associate Professor Ailie Gallant is a senior lecturer at the School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment and the Deputy Director of the Monash Climate Change Communications Research Hub. “The challenge for women in science is that there is still a long way to go in overturning invisible biases, ingrained misogyny, uneven caring responsibilities, pressure to stay silent about harassment, and the seniority bottle neck. The journey toward change has only just begun. I hope I can contribute to change by being a voice for those who need one, and by being proactive in empowering everyone to bring equity into the workplace by changing their own practices and recognising their own innate biases. My work involves trying to understand why it rains less during droughts by looking at how weather systems change. I look to see if rain-bearing weather systems disappear, whether they rain less, and how systems like heatwaves influence drought."
Meet Andrea Robinson
Chemistry is an art for Professor Andrea Robinson. She loves designing and creating complex molecules with real world use. This includes a synthetic form of insulin that doesn’t require refrigeration - offering huge potential to diabetic patients in third world countries.
Meet Ros Gleadow
Professor Ros Gleadow is a plant biologist who studies the effect of climate change on food security, with a focus on plants that make cyanide as a herbivore defence, examining the issues from the molecular through to the ecosystem, and even global scales.
Meet Anne Peters
Biologist Professor Anne Peters has spent her career studying birds to answer questions about evolution and ecology. For example, she studies the complex lives of Fairy Wrens to monitor their behaviour and discover whether certain traits are genetic or environmental.
Meet Julie Arblaster
Professor Julie Arblaster from the Monash School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment research uses large climate models that run on super computers to understand how the climate around us interacts and changes from day to day and up to century time scales
Meet Meera Parish
Professor Meera Parish from the Monash School of Physics and Astronomy research is exploring the world of condensed matter physics and how quantum mechanics come into play in different phases of matter
Meet Victoria Blair
Dr Victoria Blair from the Monash School of Chemistry lines of research look at the behaviour of simple nitrogen-based molecules and the creation of metal-based drugs to combat diseases and antibacterial infections
Meet Francine Marques
Associate Professor Francine Marques from the Monash School of Biological Sciences is discovering ways that we can treat and prevent the development of high blood pressure through manipulating fibre and the gut microbiota
Meet Kaye Morgan
Physicist Dr Kaye Morgan uses ground-breaking x-ray imaging to examine in real time changes to the epithelium in the lungs in response to treatment for cystic fibrosis.