Meet the researcher

The reality for women who combine science careers with motherhood is no walk in the park, according to physicist and mother Irene Bolognino.

The gulf between the number of boys and girls who pursue scientific careers refuses to budge in Australia.

PhD candidate Guangyong FU had an unusual introduction to Australia, undertaking two weeks’ hotel quarantine when he arrived in Melbourne from China.

When you think of physics, do you think of variety? Postdoctoral researcher at The University of Western Australia, Graeme Flower, certainly didn't. Now, he thrives in a world of constant variety in every moment of his day, which, in his words, "keeps it interesting."  

Imagine transitioning from one field of science to another and not just switching specialties but moving to the other side of the world to delve into one of the most profound mysteries of the universe. 

A combination of passion and pragmatism drive the career direction of postdoctoral researcher Jeremy Bourhill.

Physics is a broad field and can sometimes look like lonely work, but PhD student Elrina Hartman says the dynamism and collaboration within the field of physics confirmed her desire to pursue the sciences.  

A career in physics can be competitive and demanding, so it would not be surprising for researchers to want to rest after a long day in the laboratory.

As a mother-of-two and chemist, Michaela Froehlich is a trailblazer in her field. When she welcomed her first child, she was the only woman in a team of male researchers.

As a school student, theoretical physicist Professor Nicole Bell never expected her interest in maths to lead her to explore the big questions of the universe.

Few students who are weighing up career options would imagine that a Physics degree could lead to a ‘crazy, jet-setting lifestyle’. But that is exactly how Associate Professor Martin White describes his career since completing his at Cambridge University in the UK.

Gazing at the stars as a child, Grace Lawrence had no idea that this fascination with the stars would lead her to pursue a career in astronomy and to walk in the footsteps of one of the world’s greatest physicists, Albert Einstein.

It is not just the big discoveries that drive Peter Cox in his research into the nature of dark matter, but also the small pieces of the puzzle he is helping to put in place along the way.

Physicist Ciaran O’Hare had his sights set on becoming a musician before astronomy captured his imagination.

Art and science might seem to be odd bedfellows, but that is not the case for Australian National University graduate student Raghda Abdel Khaleq. Describing herself as an artistic physicist, Raghda combines her creativity with her scientific knowledge to produce science-inspired art.