DR KARSTEN SCHULZ

CEO, Digital Technologies Institute

Karsten holds a PhD in Computer Science and a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Software Engineering. In 2010, Karsten created the Young ICT Explorers Competition and, in 2014, whilst working for NICTA (now part of CSIRO), he founded the Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge, which is part of the International Bebras Challenge with over 2.9 million participants annually. Karsten is a former track and field athlete, who competed at German national youth level in long jump.

Karsten has been working in the Australian ICT and Digital Technologies space since 1999 in an international R&D leadership position. He has designed a computer processor, builds artificial neural networks, has 18 patents in his name and has a passion for data, process flow and artificial intelligence.

DR ALEXANDRA CAMPBELL

Marine Scientist, University of the Sunshine Coast
Superstar of STEM

Can we save the world with seaweeds? Dr Alexandra Campbell is working hard to find out.

As a key member and co-founder of the USC Seaweed Research Group, Alex leads projects that are investigating how seaweeds can restore damaged ecosystems, improve food production and enhance human health.

She was a founder of ‘Operation Crayweed’, which restores underwater seaweed forests along Sydney’s coastline, won a ‘Green Globe’ award and was a Eureka Prize finalist (2017). Alex is a Churchill Fellow (2014), a Young Tall Poppy (2012), a busy mother of twins (always) and a passionate advocate for Women in STEM (forever).

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PARWINDER KAUR

Associate Professor and Director, DNA Zoo Australia
The University of Western Australia

Dr Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, a passionate leader and positive role model as a mother, and a professor in science for the next generation of diverse scientists to pursue their passion for science and discovery. She leads cross-disciplinary biotechnology research investigating Earth’s biodiversity and natural environments to ensure sustainable futures. Through her diverse research teams, such as DNA Zoo Australia, she harnesses STEM to achieve maximised impact. In doing so, she believes this will help us tackle the bigger issues we as society are facing, bringing about solutions through fresh thinking rather than following usual norms.

Her noteworthy achievements include receiving the prestigious ‘Science and Innovation Award’ from the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2013, winning Microsoft’s AI for Earth award in 2019, being recognised as a finalist for WA Innovator of the Year in 2022, and earning the esteemed Australian Sikh Woman of the Year for Excellence in 2023. She has also been inducted into the WA Women Hall of Fame in 2023, is a Superstar of STEM, a winner of Women in Technology WA Tech+ Star in 2022, the recipient of the AmCham Alliance Award in Biotechnology in 2023, a finalist for Trend Setter of the Year, and an ambassador for GirlsXTech internationally.

DR KATHRYN ROSS

Astrophysicist
Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy

Dr Kat Ross is an astrophysics post-doctoral researcher using the novel technique of spectral variability to study active galactic nuclei and galaxy evolution. She has a PhD working with telescopes around Australia, in particular, using the Murchison Widefield Array, a radio telescope based in the remote outback of Western Australia.

She has worked extensively as a science communicator and activist for women in STEM including leading a national campaign, #IncludeHer, to correct high school courses to include a more diverse representation of scientists. Kat has also appeared as a host in the documentary “A Hidden Universe,” which aired on Channel 7 in 2022.

Kat is a proud bisexual and agender person and was diagnosed as an adult with ADHD. She is looking to help create safe spaces and welcoming environments for other LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse individuals in STEM.

DR SARA WEBB

Astrophysicist and Superstar of STEM
Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
Swinburne University of Technology

The last 100 years of astronomy has seen our knowledge of our own home galaxy, universe and even the things that make-up us change in almost immeasurable ways. We simultaneously know more and less about the Universe we live in, and with new and exciting telescopes, we’ll soon have too much data to work with manually.

To prepare for the future of Astronomy, Dr. Sara Webb works with optical telescope data and machine learning to explore explosions in the universe and how astronomers find them. Sara focused on studying small, yet mighty, red dwarf stars and their flares. When a star flares, energy and matter are spewed out into the surrounding solar system, and Sara has worked to build up a large and unique population of these stars that flare in very short periods of time. In her broader research into investigating the use of AI in team situations, Sara is currently working on studying how astronomers work in their various cognitive states.

Aside from her academic research, Sara also coordinates and co-leads Swinburne’s unique student space challenge programs, sending student led experiments to the International Space Station. This Australian wide program gives students insight into a space science career.

DR PRUE FRANCIS

Marine Scientist and Superstar of STEM
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Deakin University

A former high school teacher and now marine scientist and educator at Deakin University, Prue is exploring the extent to which ocean literacy is being taught in schools across Australia and evaluating innovative methods to enhance ocean literacy. Notably, Prue and her Deakin SEA.Ed team have been exploring ocean-themed picture books as a useful tool to educate school children about marine science. Subsequently, Prue has co-authored a children’s book, The Great Southern Reef (by Paul Venzo, Prue Francis; illustrated by Cate James) to promote ocean education in schools and raise awareness of Australia’s Great Southern Reef.

Prue regularly engages with community groups and is passionate about inspiring younger generations to be curious about life underwater. Prue visits schools to present her fun and engaging (not slimy!) Seaweed Matters incursions and champions ocean literacy on Melbourne’s independent radio station, Triple R.

DR MEREDITH CASTLES

Associate Lecturer in ICT
Information and Communication Technology
University of Tasmania

Dr Meredith Castles is a university lecturer, Interaction Design Science researcher specialising in both Human and Animal-Computer Interaction, and a science communicator. She has worked extensively as an actor and writer in the TV, film, stage, and radio industries, speaking on panels and MCing events regularly Australia-wide.

Meredith uses her skills in interaction design science to help create digital interactive experiences for people in fields as diverse as archaeology and space science. She co-hosts and helps produce the 2023 Eureka Prizes award-winning STEM podcast That’s What I Call Science and solo hosts a live-streamed science communication show called Dr. Meredith on Twitch TV and YouTube twice weekly to teach people about science fundamentals through conversation and video gaming.

Her main research interest is in harnessing the power of Citizen Science and Human Computer Interaction to design more ethically focused and accessible technology for improving people’s lives. From her work in participatory science, Meredith created a new model for the sustainability of Women in ICT for Tasmania, aimed at retaining women by creating role models who can communicate to a diverse audience.

Dr Samantha Sawyer

Food Scientist
Superstar of STEM
University of Tasmania

Dr Samantha Sawyer is seeking solutions to keep Australian businesses globally competitive economically, socially, and environmentally. Whether that means helping industries be more resilient to climate change, finding ways to process food waste into great tasting and nutritious food, or improving production systems to be efficient and socially conscious. She received a 2022 Science & Innovation Award (Wine Australia) for her project helping the wine industry adapt to climate change.

Samantha is currently a Lecturer and Research Fellow in Food Science at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (University of Tasmania). She is passionate about STEM outreach and engagement in regional areas and mentoring students and junior staff members to discover and achieve their career aspirations.