Qld women chosen as faces of STEM campaign

They’re blazing a trail for women in traditionally male-dominated fields – and their specialties are as fascinating as their stories.

Queensland trailblazers are among 60 women who have been selected as Australia’s newest faces of STEM in an effort to encourage more females to aspire to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Science and Technology Australia chief executive Misha Schubert said the Superstars of STEM program supports women to become expert commentators in the media in a bid to smash stereotypes of what a scientist, technologist, engineer or mathematician looks like.

“It’s hard to be what you can’t see. Women are still seriously under-represented in STEM,” Ms Schubert said.

QUT statistician Dr Nicole White, UQ medical scientist Dr Sonia Shah and QUT senior lecturer Dr Divya Mehta, Brisbane are among the 60 Superstars of STEM. Picture: Liam Kidston

QUT genomic scientist and statistician and mental health researcher Dr Divya Mehta said she was “very excited” to be selected for the program.

“My goal is to be a role model for young girls and encourage them to take up STEM and also be the future leaders in STEM fields,” she said.

UQ’s Dr Sonia Shah, whose research involves analysing genetic data from hundreds of thousands of people in a bid to improve human health; QUT’s Dr Nicole White who analyses data to help clinicians identify which COVID-19 treatments are most beneficial; and Southern Cross University’s Dr Alexandra Campbell, who is leading a project into how seaweed can restore damaged ecosystems, will also today be announced as the “Superstars of STEM”.

Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews will today officially announce the 60 women chosen for Science & Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM program in 2021.