Goldfields International Women’s Day

On Thursday 9 March the Goldfields Bursary Recipients for 2023, Ava and Aryahi, along with Ms Randall attended a high tea. They listened to interesting and inspiring conversations about three women who have pursued very different roles in STEM, Science and Engineering.

Dr Kat Ross walked them through her university decision making to study the units that interested and captured her attention. Now Dr Ross watches galaxies as an Astrophysics Post-Doctoral Researcher. Her interests led her to the novel technique of spectral variability, studying 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.

Danielle Headland, an Aboriginal Research Project Officer and Whadjuk Yued woman from the Noongar Nation, is an emerging Child Health Researcher with the Telethon Kids Institute Ear Health Team. Having completed a Bachelor of Health Science at The University of Western Australia, Ms Headland is now undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Population Studies through UWA, while simultaneously supporting research aimed at improving the ear health of Aboriginal children.

Weiran Sylvia Yang 杨蔚然 is the first Underground Manager and currently works at Gold Fields Granny Smith Mine in Perth WA. As an immigrant to Australia when she was a teenager, Weiran faced many problems that were overcome, including familial expectations for a woman to study Science and Engineering. She is now leading underground production teams, coordinating all facets of underground operations meeting safety, production and cost targets. Weiran also provides coaching and development for frontline leaders.

The event was a fantastic opportunity for our students and we thank Goldfields for the invitation.