Monash Chemistry Alumni
Our graduates
Despina Anastasiou joined Dow Chemical (Australia) as a chemist, 23 years ago, eager to leave behind a lab coat. She is now the $57 Billion company's business development director for the Asia Pacific and about to begin a "dream" assignment in Greece – her parents' homeland.
Atmospheric scientist
Atmospheric scientist Greg Ayers (BSc(Hons) 1972, PhD 1976) is the former director of Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). Prior to joining the BoM in 2009 Dr Ayers had an impressive career in fundamental and applied research.
Leader of the Changing Atmosphere research group at the CSIRO
"My time at Monash University was inspirational – you couldn't help but have a memorable time there, it was so vibrant."
Co-founder, executive director and joint CEO of Bakers Delight
"I loved science. It was definite, and I was expected to work at a high standard with academic rigour at Monash. I liked that."
Consultant, former diplomat, and mentor
"I'd be the person to translate difficult, challenging technical issues into terminology that people without a technical background could understand."
Alan and Jane Oppenheim are putting their diverse skills to work at Ego Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned Australian company and manufacturers of the QV Skincare range. They invest in dermatological education and research and have subsidiaries in Malaysia, Singapore and the UK.
Former executive at BHP Billiton
"My years doing my PhD were some of the best years of my life. Chemistry is a science that explains the fundamentals of the planet."
Associate Dean (Research)
A "beautiful" molecule, a fine mind and venture capital have combined to form a potential boon to diabetics worldwide.
Former head of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance division at Varian
"I was meeting lots of people in the well-known big Silicon Valley companies, travelling round the world visiting major universities and talking to other scientists, including Nobel Prize winners, who were using our equipment."