Monash academics recognised in Superstars of STEM program

Two researchers from the Faculty of Information Technology and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences have been named among Australian female scientists in the 2021–22 Superstars of STEM program.

Associate Professor Rashina Hoda and Dr Erin McGillick are two of 60 brilliant women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who have been chosen for this acclaimed national program.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews officially announced today those chosen for Science & Technology Australia’s prestigious Superstars of STEM program in 2021–22.

Science & Technology Australia Chief Executive Officer Misha Schubert said the program gave women in STEM stronger skills and confidence to step into expert commentary roles in the media.

“It’s hard to be what you can’t see,” she said. “Women are still seriously under-represented in STEM leadership roles. The Superstars of STEM program sets out to smash stereotypes of what a scientist, technologist, engineer or mathematician looks like — these powerful role models show girls that STEM is for them.”

Associate Professor Rashina Hoda, best known for her research in human-centred software engineering, said she was thrilled to have been recognised alongside such a talented group of women in STEM.

“I’m very privileged to be announced as a Superstar of STEM and I’m looking forward to becoming a role model to inspire more girls and women to pursue STEM by increasing the public profile of women in STEM,” she said.

Hoda is an expert in agile software development, software teams and project management, and human-computer interaction, with her work spanning educational game design for 21st-century skills and human-centred design for smart energy consumption.

Research Scientist, Fetal and Neonatal Health Research Group at Hudson Institute, Dr Erin McGillick, who has a joint appointment with Monash School of Clinical Sciences, is excited to be able to encourage more young women and girls to explore careers in STEM.

“I’m so excited to continue sharing my own research journey and promoting visibility for diversity and inclusion in STEM, so that younger generations can see there are many ways to be a scientist and that STEM is for everyone,” Dr McGillick said.

Dr McGillick’s research is using cutting-edge preclinical models and state-of-the-art X-ray imaging techniques to identify how newborn respiratory complications arise and then developing new or improved strategies to assist compromised babies successfully make the transition to air-breathing at birth.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/natali_mis