The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s (ATSE) IMNIS Catalyst program supports budding leaders to become STEM ambassadors by providing unique professional development and networking opportunities. Catalysts represent ATSE and its prestigious Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS) initiative as they engage with schools, industry and academia.
The 2024 cohort brings a wealth of experience drawn from their studies and professional work in STEM fields across the nation. Their exceptional backgrounds, and professional and social ambitions, make them the perfect people to catalyse change in their personal and professional spheres of influence.
The IMNIS Catalyst program is uniquely designed to support emerging STEM leaders to gain experience in communication – one of the top three executive skills in demand today – and apply these skills across academia and industry. The 16 IMNIS Catalysts will receive training to: build their public profile, hone their communication skills, develop their leadership voice and communicate with influence.
This year’s Catalysts include Dr Katherine Morgan, a researcher at the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute designing personalised cancer treatments and methods for diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease, who aims to inspire young women to pursue STEM studies and careers through her science communication.
Dr Oishee Chatterjee is a senior quality control scientist at the international medical technology company Thermo Fisher Scientific where she helps other PhD graduates find their place in the med-tech industry and discover the opportunities available to them.
Yang Yi is a PhD student at Deakin University investigating point cloud analysis as a path to improving computer vision technologies. He is excited to learn from others in STEM and in the Catalyst program, and pass on his knowledge and experience to younger students.
ATSE acting-CEO Peter Derbyshire said that the program is building skills and experiences that will enrich Australian STEM into the future.
“IMNIS Catalyst is providing the tools to help scientists communicate their work and their passions effectively and with impact. We’re thrilled to be giving researchers early in their career the skills to position themselves within the STEM landscape at a time when diverse, innovative ideas are more important than ever in solving our biggest challenges.
“It’s exciting to be supporting our fourth cohort of IMNIS Catalysts. These highly motivated ambassadors for the power and potential of STEM-powered careers will enable more young people throughout Australia to view themselves using their skills to overcome global challenges,” Peter Derbyshire said.
2024 IMNIS Catalysts:
- Dr Oishee Chatterjee, Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Chiara Pavan, The Florey Institute Of Neuroscience And Mental Health
- Coralina Collar Fernandez, University of Melbourne and GTAC
- Dr Tiffany (Yifang) Li, Deloitte
- Yang Yi, Deakin University
- Dr Ishara Paranawithana, Monash University
- Jade Hutchinson, Macquarie University and the University of Groningen
- Dr Katherine Morgan, University of Melbourne
- Kathy (Lin) Hsin, Monash University
- Michelle Devadason, UNSW School of Clinical Medicine
- Teja Maganti
- Muhsin Kizhisseri, Deakin University
- Nicole Fenton, UNSW
- Ruwini Cooray, Deakin University
- Dr Rhynelle Dmello, St Vincents Institute of Medical Research
- Ruby Thapa, Griffith University