Ep 3: Breaking the concrete ceiling | Dr Ruwangi Fernando
Release Date: 10/16/2023
Ep 20: Thriving in Tech Without Coding with Diana Malcomess
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest: Diana Malcomess has vast experience in technology consulting, whose career exemplifies the power of curiosity and adaptability in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Currently serving as a Technology Strategist at Microsoft, Diana brings a wealth of global experience and cultural diversity with a background spanning three countries, including Partner in Digital & Emerging Technology at Ernst & Young (EY) and a significant tenure in New York with a leading tech company. Diana embodies leadership through action, emphasizing the power of example over words. Diana...
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Ep 19: Unlocking Transferable Skills: Moving From Lab Science To Policy With Dr Supre Ponnappa
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest: Dr. Supre Ponnappa is a distinguished materials scientist who holds a PhD from the Queensland University of Technology. With a stellar academic background, she secured a gold medal in her engineering master's program and was recognized with the Higher Achiever Award from the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her doctoral research focused on developing a scalable biosensing platform utilizing polymer materials. Dr. Ponnappa’s career trajectory spans across scientific evaluation, industrial research, economic analysis, and policy development with experience in several...
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Ep 18: Leading with Grace: Becoming an authentic leader in STEM with Professor Dipti Talaulikar
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest: Professor Dipti Talaulikar is a renowned clinical and laboratory haematologist at Canberra Health Services, having contributed to the field for over two decades. Originally from India, she holds the distinction of being the first woman in the nation to receive a Doctorate of Medicine in Haematology. Professor Talaulikar is affiliated with the Australian National University (ANU), where she is a professor at the College of Health and Medicine. Her accolades include fellowships from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and the Royal Australasian College of...
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Ep 17: Helping Communities to Innovate Against Climate Challenges with Dr Aparna Lal
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest: Dr. Aparna Lal is an Associate Professor of Environmental Epidemiology at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University (ANU). Her interdisciplinary research background spans environmental science, wildlife ecology, and public health. Notably recognized as the 2020 Young Tall Poppy of the Year and the 2023 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year, Dr. Lal recently received the 2024 Tony Ayers Prize for Excellence in Research in Translational Medicine. Her passion lies in addressing issues related to access to clean water and...
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Ep 16: Navigating the Commercial World in STEM with Nadine Najmeddine
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest: Nadine Najmeddine is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in scientific sales and channel management. She holds a Master of Biological Sciences from The Australian National University, a Bachelor of Public Health from the University of Canberra, and a Bachelor of Medical Science from Northern Lebanon University. Currently, Nadine works as a Channel Management Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific ANZ, where she excels in fostering client relationships and driving business growth. Recognized for her achievements, she received the "Rookie of the Year"...
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Ep 15: Economics and STEM: How Economic Modelling Can Help Non-Profit Organisations
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest Dr. Madhumita Iyengar is an economist by profession, advocate for women’s empowerment, and community leader. She has a PhD in Economic Modelling from Queensland University of Technology and specialises in Economic evaluation of policies and programs, Impacts analysis, policy and program development and review. She is the Founder Chair of Initiatives for Women in Need (IWiN) and Chair of the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF), the peak body representing 110+ member organisations in the ACT. She has also served on various community boards, including Canberra Women...
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Ep 14: Overcoming Stereotypes: How to Thrive in a Male-Dominated Industry like Geophysics
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest Dr Yvette Poudjom Djomani is a senior geophysicist at Geoscience Australia, Canberra, with over 25 years of experience in geophysical data processing, visualisation and interpretation. Her work supports mineral and energy investment attraction for Australia. She also holds an MBA in general administration and brings a holistic perspective on leadership, human resources and managing change. In her roles as Treasurer of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG), member of the Gender Equity Network at Geoscience Australia (GENGA) and her passion for STEM,...
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Ep 13: Empowering Youth: Ananya Banerjee's Journey in STEM and Activism
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest Ananya Banerjee is the Director of Sarth, a youth-led NGO with 640+ youth volunteers from across India working towards building awareness on issues of mental health, menstrual hygiene, and gender. She is the founder of ‘Abhivyakti’, a mental health project at Sarthi, and the co-founder of ‘Sushiksha’, a chain of free weekend schools in rural India, and ‘Buland’, a menstrual health project. She is currently in her third year studying a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at the Australian National University (ANU) on the Chancellor’s International Scholarship....
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Ep 12: From Academia to Industry to Government: Lessons from a Mum in Science
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest Dr. Munazza Imran is a distinguished alumna of ANU, bringing forth more than two decades of invaluable experience in Life Sciences, which includes an extensive background in education. She previously served as an Assistant Professor specializing in microbiology at a public sector university in her native country Pakistan, where she shared her knowledge and expertise with the next generation. In 2014 Dr. Munazza won two very prestigious scholarships to fully fund her doctoral studies at the Australian National University (ANU). She started her PhD with two little girls (1 year...
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Ep 11: From Office Assistant to Senior Executive: A Data Journey Story
CALD Voices in STEM
About the Guest Xiaoyan Lu is the Acting Group Executive Director of Systems Assurance and Data Analytics Group at the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). She has extensive leadership experience in using data and technology to drive business outcomes. In 2020, Xiaoyan was awarded an Australian Day Achievement Medallion in recognition of her leadership in business transformation through data analytics, her mentoring, and her dedication to innovation and excellence. Prior to working for the ANAO, Xiaoyan dedicated 11 years to the Australian Sports Commission, where she led data-driven...
info_outlineDr. Ruwangi Fernando is an accomplished information technology expert and AI specialist with a strong academic and consulting background. She is the founder of Stem Sisters and co-founder of iSTEM Co, both organizations aimed at empowering women of color and promoting their employment in STEM fields. Dr. Fernando is dedicated to fostering diversity, inclusion, and intersectionality in STEM and has received numerous accolades for her work.
Dr. Fernando shares how her father's curiosity and love for gadgets sparked her interest in STEM, leading her to pursue a career in computer science. She also discusses the challenges faced by women of colour in STEM and the need for intersectional diversity and inclusion in the industry. Dr. Fernando highlights the importance of providing targeted support and opportunities for women of colour in order to break the concrete ceiling and create a more inclusive STEM sector. She shares the various initiatives she has founded, such as Stem Sisters and iSTEM Co, which aim to empower women of colour and promote their employment in STEM fields.
Key Takeaways
- Women of colour in STEM face a concrete ceiling that requires different tools to break compared to the glass ceiling faced by women in general.
- Providing targeted support and opportunities for women of colour in STEM is crucial to address the disparities in employment and representation.
- Diversity and inclusion in STEM should be seen as a means to drive innovation and cater to a diverse market, rather than just a tick-box exercise.
- Culturally diverse women in STEM should find a supportive community to navigate the challenges and setbacks they may face.
- Individual passion and perseverance are key in pursuing a successful career in STEM.
Find out more
- Connect with Dr Ruwangi Fernando on LinkedIn.
- Follow STEM Sisters on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Read about women of colour in STEM in the MAGNIFY magazine.
- Learn more about iSTEM Co. on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Visit drchloelim.com for more resources from this podcast.
Follow Dr Chloe Lim
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchloelim/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchloelim/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchloelim/