You could find yourself in a lab, conducting research that saves lives from cancer. You could follow a path into journalism, sharing the latest scientific research breakthroughs with the world. Or you could use biomedical science as a launching pad into medicine.

Three UON graduates share which career path they chose and why.

Advanced medical research

Jessica Buck’s ground-breaking cancer research is contributing to global health advancement.

Jessica’s interest in medicine and disease started in childhood, when a relative passed away from breast cancer. Jessica yearned to create vaccines to prevent diseases and save lives, which is why she enrolled in biomedical science at UON.

After graduating from UON, Jessica competed her Masters of Science in Neuroscience and is now completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Oncology at Oxford University in England – one of the most prestigious tertiary institutions in the world. Her studies explore new ways of imaging the formation of new blood vessels when cancer spreads to the brain.

“What I enjoy most about my work is getting together with my lab colleagues to plan breakthrough research that could really make a difference,” says Jessica.

Jessica credits her UON biomedical degree for giving her valuable research skills, hands-on lab experience, and the chance to discover a career path that best suits her skills and interests. When she looks back on her journey so far, Jessica recognises that her willingness to take up new opportunities was pertinent to her success.

“I encourage current biomedical science students to take advantage of all the opportunities to try research or internships. It will help you decide what you want to do when you finish.”

Industry, commerce, and education

Cassandra Griffin uses her science acumen to communicate new research results to industry leaders and the global community.

After studying biomedical science at UON, Cassandra’s career took her overseas and into the role of Account Executive for Pollen UK, a medical education company that forms part of a larger medical communications group.

In her diverse account management role, Cassandra must stay abreast of the latest disease research data and developments, working with clients to communicate science progress to industry leaders and the public so that new information can ultimately inform policies and practice.

“No two days are the same in my job,” Cassandra says.

“In the space of a few hours I may write content relating to a neurology drug, review a web page targeting HIV specialists, and develop graphics for a diabetes congress.”

Cassandra draws on her extensive knowledge of biomedical science every day. Her UON degree has equipped her to work as an expert in her field, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and researching the latest disease information and breakthroughs.

“While I no longer work in a laboratory environment, my understanding of laboratory procedures and scientific methods underpins my ability to translate scientific findings into a language that can be received by our audiences.”

Medicine and health practice

Mitchell Nolan used his biomedical science degree as a pathway into medicine. He now works as an intensive care trainee at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.

When Mitchell enrolled in UON’s Bachelor of Biomedical Science, he never thought his career path would eventually lead to medicine. Originally interested in pure science, Mitchell slowly began to discover and become fascinated with the way science and medicine intertwined.

“I became enthralled with the clinical science introduced to us at UON,” says Mitchell. “I met with clinician-scientists and it slowly dawned on me that medicine was a legitimate career choice for me.”

After graduating from UON, Mitchell studied a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the Australian National University’s Medical School. There, Mitchell realised his firmly-established knowledge about the human body and scientific processes was a unique asset.

“UON’s teaching of conceptual biomedical science frameworks – the machinations of the life-sciences and the philosophy of science in general – provided an excellent advantage in my medical degree.”

Mitchell is now completing a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from James Cook University while working as an intensive care trainee at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.

“We manage critically ill patients, perioperative patients, and patients with organ failure. Things often go wrong, and we are experts at making it right again.”

After many years of study, Mitchell is on the cusp of an exciting career within the fast-paced world of medicine. His interest now lies in the public health aspects of critical care, specifically related to drug health and toxicology. Driven by a desire to help others, he expects to obtain a fellowship to the College of Intensive Care Medicine in the coming years and become a consultant intensivist.

“It’s an immense privilege to be involved in the most upsetting and traumatic moments of people’s lives because, sometimes, you have the opportunity to change things for the better.”

Tin City is located in the amazing Stockton Bight, the largest continuously mobile sand structure in the Southern hemisphere: also a significant site of indigenous history and occupation by the Worimi people, its traditional custodians. Tin City is an off the grid isolated community living in 11 self-built tin sheds constructed over 100 years at Stockton Dunes on NSW’s mid north coast.

There are no roads to Tin City. Half buried, this squatters’ settlement seems to appear from out of nowhere. Due to its unique qualities, the site is often used as a setting by film crews. There is no power, water, and no sewerage. The huts are governed by a longstanding squatters settlement 100-year lease signed in 1920 and the more recent by-laws established by the Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management, which administers the area with the National Parks and Wildlife. The arrangement recognises the heritage and tourist value of the huts which can be maintained, but cannot be rebuilt or sold. They simply pass them down to family.

Entering this bizarre world is just one part of an interdisciplinary elective called ‘Inhabiting the Binary’. Currently in progress, over the next two weeks the lecturers, practitioners and students will study experimental site techniques, focussing on themes of nomadic settlement, human experience and non-human or ecological forces.

The inter-uni experiment is led by Dr Cathy Smith, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at the School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle. Cathy is joined by co-coordinator Simon Kilbane,  Senior Lecturer and Programme Director of Landscape Architecture at UTS; along with Jed Long, a UTS tutor, architect and Co-founder of Cave Urban.

The ‘Tin City’ site visit kicked-off the experience at the start of this week, the group arrived via 4WD along Stockton Beach to a chance meeting of one of the long-term residents, former iron worker Alwyn Garland. Students got the rare opportunity to discuss the experience of living in this post-apocalyptic looking community since the late 1970s in a handmade shack. He showed the group the principle of getting fresh water by digging down through the sand into the aquifer. Described by Dr Cathy Smith as “the most incredible site and studio focus location”, she and the group were fascinated by this curious ancient landscape, its rich indigenous history and little-known squatter community.

The day concluded with a presentation by Professor John Maynard of Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle. Wollotuka is an all-Indigenous staffed unit committed to the advancement and leadership of Indigenous education at a local, national and global level. Professor Maynard is a Worimi Aboriginal man from the Port Stephens region of New South Wales and a Professor of Indigenous History and Research. He gave the group an amazing understanding of the rich indigenous history of the region. Architecture student Michael Allanson (UON) was “blown away by the dreamtime stories and their relationship to geological understandings of the site”.

For Master of Architecture student Caila Anderson (University of Calgary, Canada), the elective presented a unique opportunity: “One of the best ways of understanding a place is through working with local people”.

Landscape architecture student Ben Hardy-Clements (UTS) believes that: “the only way to address the complexities found in our environment is to merge the disciplines and develop new ways of collaborative thinking” – as the staff and students are doing in this elective.

After finishing the week with a deep-dive into the region’s fascinating history, maps and cultural artefacts at the Newcastle library archives with Dr Ann Hardy and Gionni Di Gravio, the collaborating students will deliver mixed-media and audio-visual responses to their site study and the elective will wrap up with critiques and an exhibition at 4pm on 16 December at the old David Jones building in the Newcastle CBD.

Student work will be displayed in these repurposed shopfront windows (currently curated by the out(fit) collective) for the greater community to admire and appreciate.

The Global Engineering Education Exchange, known as the Global E³, is an international partnership agreement that allows engineering students of the University of Newcastle to study abroad at distinguished universities that are not otherwise partnered with the University. UON is one of only two Australian partners in the international program.

It was through this program that Joel received the opportunity to study at the University of Connecticut, which is considered one of the largest and most reputable colleges in the northeast region of the U.S.

Leaving Australia in mid-January, Joel was met with below freezing temperatures when he arrived at the small town that would be his home for the semester. With the majority of students living on campus, Joel found living in a share room was a great way create long-lasting friendships and enhance his understand of other cultures.

“Campus life was amazing, from the ease of getting to class to the huge range of extracurricular activities you are able to participate in,” he said.

The tightknit social community on campus came as surprise to Joel, who had grown accustomed to the usually small crowds at UON sporting games.

“There were thousands of people packed into a stadium all supporting their team. The passion was tangible and I’ve never experienced anything like it. It was absolutely incredible!”

Reflecting its reputation, the University of Connecticut expected a strong work ethic. There was no recorded lectures, meaning it was easy to fall behind if you failed to attend. However, Joel rose to the challenge.

“The only problem I had was that in my… courses, all their measurement units were in the imperial system! While challenging at times, it was very helpful as possible future careers require adaption with the use of different systems.”

Learning occurred not only in the classroom. Due to his proximity to Boston and New York, Joel explored these global cities, fully immersing himself in the culture.

“By studying abroad, I have come to realise the vast opportunities that await at the end of my degree. I’m not held back by the fear of the unknown. This experience was an eye opener for me and wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the scholarship through Global E³.”

Through completing a semester abroad, Joel was able to greatly enhance what he had learnt at UON, making him a more career-ready graduate.

“I would strongly recommend Global E³ to any of my fellow engineering students thinking of undertaking a semester abroad. The benefits it provides by granting the opportunity to study at a large network of global universities, and the subsequent knowledge gained about the specific field of study are invaluable.”

Visit our website to find out more about the Ge3 program.

1. What was the purpose behind the recent student field trip to Hong Kong and China and who was involved?

The overriding premise behind the trip was to expose us to different urban environments and how they adapt to meet the needs of local people. As well as Hong Kong, we also spent two days in mainland China visiting (our lecturer and trip leader) Derren’s ancestral village in Shunde, in the Guangzhou province. Here we were introduced to courtyard houses and village style living that is typical of the area.

2. What was the most interesting experience you had as part of the trip?

Definitely the way that Hong Kong plans its expansion and how they utilise every parcel of land that they can. Planning regulations in Hong Kong require all services and amenities (subway lines, telephone connections, schools, parks, hospitals, etc.) to be in place before the construction of housing and businesses even commences. This planning procedure ensures that each new area of Hong Kong is set up in a way that ensures its success – something I think Australian cities can learn from.

3. Which city or town did you find most interesting and why?

Not specifically any part of Hong Kong, but the way they live. The lifestyle in the city is this peculiar mix of Eastern and Western cultures that seems to hold on to some of its more ancient traditions, all the while embracing many new and modern norms from Western countries.

4. Was it all just about looking at flashy new high rises?

Not entirely. We did look at many of the new high rises, but in more of a lets-critique-and-evaluate-them kind of way. The main purpose was to demonstrate that high density living with a large population in condensed location is feasible. Personally, I would say we – as a country – need to be expanding our urban centres vertically – rather than horizontally – with attention being given to the provision of public amenities and infrastructure before people move in and occupy the area.

5. What was it like travelling with your fellow students and lecturers, was it a good group?

We ranged in age from 19 through to 27, all with different backgrounds, life experiences, and personalities. Working in close quarters in the Architecture Design Studio on campus means that we have all seen each other around, but not necessarily had contact with one another. So the trip kind of became a bridge between the different years and degrees that we may not have individually taken the time to put in if it wasn’t for the trip.

6. Did the trip change your perspective on architecture, how?

I have travelled quite a lot previously, but I have never experienced the sheer density and organised chaos that is Hong Kong. I can remember looking at photos of Hong Kong city before the trip and thinking “how the hell does anyone live comfortably in that environment?” But, having spent time there I can see myself living and working there for at least 12 months. It’s a city that thrives on challenges and is constantly working to make itself more efficient.

7. What would you say to students thinking about studying architecture at UON?

Do it. I applied to three different universities to study architecture – UNSW, QUT, and UON – I was offered a spot at all three, but took my first preference of UON. I don’t regret my choice. The lifestyle that Newcastle city offers is amazing and the facilities that we have access to at uni are fantastic. If I didn’t have access to the Architecture Design Studio I would not be as successful in my studies as I have been. Having 30 or 40 other students in the same boat as you, around you each day makes it more enjoyable. Each project is different, but you always have 40 opinions on hand to tell you where to go to move forward– which isn’t always helpful, but it’s nice that the option is there!

8. You’ve just finished your third and final year of your undergraduate degree, what’s next for you?

I’ve just started working full time at Webber Architects. So far it has been great because they have me using the skills and knowledge that I have gained over the last three years of study. It’s challenging because these are real world projects that can fail if something isn’t correctly implemented – which is also terrifying! Next year I’ll go into the Master of Architecture degree at UON, which is a further two years of study, while working part time.

9. Would you recommend other students get involved in the field trips to Indonesia, Nepal, Hong Kong and Alice Springs next year?

Absolutely! From what I heard the Alice Springs and Indonesia trips were awesome. Everyone had a great time and experienced so much more than they thought they would and more than they would if they just spent their mid-semester break at home.Study Architecture at UON:

Study Architecture at UON: 

https://www.newcastle.edu.au/degrees/bachelor-of-design-architecture

Connect with archilife at UON:

https://www.facebook.com/uonarchitecture/

https://www.instagram.com/uonarch/

Cheryl had known she wanted to study engineering since she was fifteen years old, but like many people, put it off due to life circumstances and uncertainty about future study.

“I didn’t fully understand the university process. I knew it cost money, but wasn’t sure how HECS worked. My UAI wasn’t fantastic either, so I didn’t really see [university] as much of a possibility back then,” Cheryl explained.

While she enjoyed her job in hospitality, Cheryl felt like she was being held back by the limited opportunities for career progression. The long hours and night shifts also weren’t very family friendly. It was becoming increasingly difficult to juggle work with having a young child. When Cheryl’s son turned one, she gave herself a ‘now or never’ ultimatum: undertake a career change.

Cheryl wasn’t accepted directly into the Engineering degree she wanted, but didn’t let this setback deter her from studying. After exploring numerous entry pathways, she opted to enrol in a Bachelor of Business and choose engineering subjects for her electives. As a result of her academic merit, in her second year Cheryl was able to enrol in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) degree.

“I really enjoy [engineering] which I think makes the whole juggling a son…a family and everything amongst it…much easier, as frustrating as it can be at times.”

The support from the engineering staff have taken a weight off her shoulders, being more than understanding of her family commitments. Cheryl is an advocate for attending lectures, stating that if she doesn’t come to campus, she will often find herself doing the washing or ironing instead of study.

“The teachers have all been really good. My son has attended a few water engineering and concrete classes!”

Cheryl attributes her success at university to the wealth of life experience she has acquired from delaying university study. In many instances, the skills learnt from this life experience allows mature age students to handle university even better than school-leavers. Now, Cheryl has clear career goals she is determined to achieve.

“I would really love to do geothermal energy. Which is still small in Australia. There’s only half a dozen companies. And there’s only one operational plant. But some of my electives will be more themed towards that.”

Despite sacrificing a social life at times, Cheryl believes university study is one of the best experiences of your life.

“There’s lots of hurdles with everything. And it might take you twenty years instead of four to get to the end. But I think if you want to, you can do it. Just try. What’s the worst thing that can happen?”

It was on one of these visits I met LA based artist, Kiel Johnson.

Kiel was so passionate, engaging and enthusiastic during our visit to his space, I wondered how I would be able to work with him the future.

Twelve months on and I curated an exhibition which showcased the trip, with students creating works as our response to the tour. This group show was a wonderful way to being together again all of us who experienced this amazing trip together. While planning this exhibition, I approached Claudia Parducci to contribute some work to showcase alongside ours and she was more then happy to participate. I then approached Kiel Johnson to share in our project by spending a week in Newcastle working with myself and others over a workshop, which we would run in connection to the Coast to Coast exhibition.

Kiel was very happy to accept the offer and we brainstormed the concept of ships. This came about with the idea of ships being a mode of transport, and we had all traveled over from Newcastle to LA, connecting to Newcastle and its highly ship-focused culture but also liken to the fact that students are like ships – safe in the harbor but all do go out to sea and find their own ways.

Our workshop consisted of a cardboard boat build. Kiel and I created templates to help people get started and then as each boat was made, it was to be installed in the Watt Space Gallery in connection with the Coast to Coast exhibition.

Once we had confirmed the dates with Watt Space for the show and workshop, I set about arranging all the details. Never before had I arranged a visa for anyone others then myself! To obtain the correct working visa to be able to work with the university and students was quiet challenging but worth it in the end.

I also set about arranging suppliers for the workshop materials, preparing my own boats to start the installation, templates for participants, attendees, the install preparation and paperwork for Coast to Coast, and much more. Time ticked closer to May 26^th and it became hectic to manage everything on time.

Since returning to study Fine Arts, I have become more involved with galleries, arts administration and curatorial work. I love the way spaces can bring people together and showcase art to a wider audience. I love the idea of creating shows, which have a high level of interaction and community involvement. Art, for me, is about being people together and a space in which to create.

Kiel’s arrival in Newcastle was fantastic with a visit to Watt Space to help with install, and be interviewed for the Newcastle Herald. Kiel followed this up with a guest lecture at Conversations in Art on 25^th. This was a fantastic lecture in which many attended and Kiel passed along the same passion and enthusiasm for art and creating as from when I first met him.

May 26^th saw the workshop with 42 attendees across the whole day. Kiel and I helped everyone get started with their ships and both of us were blown way by the level of creativity shown. Each and every boat is completely unique. There were amazing ideas, passion for creating and really feel good vibe all day.

I wanted to really create a space in which people forgot about time and became100% in the moment and enjoying what they were making, alongside like-minded people. I feel this was achieved as everyone had a fantastic day.

Once the workshops had completed, I installed all the new boats in the Watt Space foyers area to be ready for the show opening that night.

With over 120 people attending the opening and a further 202 attending since, the show has been a huge success for everyone involved.

I have worked extremely hard on bringing this event together and the level of support, participation and gratitude from everyone involved overwhelms me.

Thank you to everyone involved. To UON Global and the School of Creative Arts, Watt Space, Kiel Johnson and Kit Messham-Muir. To Dave and William for video, and Ellen from Natural Lights Photography for still photography. To Corrugated Cardboard Cartons for generously donating the workshop cardboard.

Thank you to the exhibiting students in Coast to Coast and to everyone who come along and built a ship at the workshop!

Stopping by the University of Newcastle’s (UON) Callaghan campus on 23 May, Sebastian (Seb) reflected on his own experiences and in doing so encouraged students to consider and chase their dreams. Supported by iLead Plus and the Faculty of Health and Medicine Scholars Program, Seb engaged UON students with his story of personal growth and the importance of being ambitious in the pursuit of personal and collective happiness.

After the death of a close friend in 2009, Seb, then aged 27 and in the midst of an overseas trip, decided to put pen to paper and re-create a list of 100 Things. Talking about his adventures, including marrying a stranger in Vegas, representing a country at something (it happened to be the Mauritian national rugby team and they won the African Championships!), to delivering a stranger’s baby in Canada, Seb has achieved many weird and wonderful things.

Seb’s story has become more than just travelling the world, ticking items off his list. His journey now sees him helping others to fulfil their own dreams and aspirations through passionately advocating the notion of “People helping People”. In practical terms, this has seen Seb pushing a man in a wheelchair for a half marathon event, helping a group of people complete the Kokoda Track, and successfully organising a recent crowd funding campaign to help a terminally ill Australian woman play in the snow for the first time.

During his talk, Seb touched on the positivity that emerges through diversity; the art and power of helping others; and the wonder of stepping out of your comfort zone.  These words of wisdom, and the real-life inspirational examples that accompany them, can be found in Seb’s Internationally-published book, his new reality TV series, and the 100 Things online portal where people share their goals and help others do the same.

So the question remains, #WhatsOnYourList?

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Internationally-renowned Melbourne-based artist Hannah Bertram is exhibiting at Newcastle Art Gallery as part of Just Draw: an exhibition featuring nine experimental artists operating in the field of drawing.

The students worked as the artist’s assistants from January 26: gathering dust, documentation, stencil cutting and testing designs. They spent a week collecting and categorising dust, identifying a large coal content, unique to Newcastle.

Hannah worked to transform the dust into a major installation that opened Saturday February 6 at the Newcastle Art Gallery.

The artist and the students from the School of Creative Arts working on the project were based in the new artist’s residence studio attached to the refurbished Watt Space Gallery in Auckland Street Newcastle.

The co-curators of Just Draw’, Todd Fuller and Lisa Woolfe, approached the School of Creative Arts for their support in recommending students to participate in the project.

Dr Miranda Lawry, Senior Lecturer at the School of Creative Arts (Fine Arts) immediately recognised the bespoke opportunity for our students to work with an internationally renowned artist within the context of a major regional art gallery.

“The project perfectly aligns with UON’s Work Integrated Learning to provide students with industry experience to ensure the next generation of practitioners have acquired skills and experience in creative innovation and entrepreneurship” Dr Lawry said.

The exhibition at the Newcastle Art Gallery is an integral component of Hannah’s ‘Global Dust Project’ with each installation that Hannah creates reflecting on the history and issues of the particular city she is working in such as her recent installation in Paris.  http://www.palaisdetokyo.com/en/exhibition/interventions-building/hannah-bertram

The exhibition’s official opening is Friday 19 February, 2016 from 7pm.

‘Just Draw’ Exhibition

WHEN: Saturday 6 February to 1 May 2016

WHERE: Newcastle Art Gallery, Laman Street, Newcastle
WEB: http://www.nag.org.au/exhibitions/future/artist/just_draw

Over the last thirteen years, every summer, the University of Newcastle Legal Centre has operated a community legal advice clinic right on the beach. The ocean views are certainly incredible, but more importantly, the location gives members of the public direct access to a service they might otherwise consider to be inaccessible.

These clinics are student-led, supported by legal professionals from the University of Newcastle Legal Centre, local firms and community organisations. This year saw the introduction of students from the University’s social work program, with at least one social work student participating in every client interview.

The first of five Law on the Beach clinics for 2016 was held yesterday. As a volunteer fifth and final year law student, I was very pleased to be offered the opportunity to assist the clinic through providing a concierge-type service. Being the initial point of contact for all client visits, I outlined the service on offer, took initial client information, then allocated the client to the fourth year law and social work student groups.

This initial day of Law on the Beach was a resounding success. It was pleasing to see that the interdisciplinary approach of bringing together law and social work students proved beneficial for clients and students alike. I felt incredibly proud to witness the professional attitude of my student peers as they interacted with clients and with the legal professionals and academics on hand to assist.

Information about Law on the Beach is available here.

Robert Bozinovski completed his Bachelor of Business program with Distinction at the University of Newcastle in 2015. He is presently a fifth and final year LLB Practice Program student with Newcastle Law School.

Lisa Butson has been successful in attaining a prestigious New Colombo Scholarship (http://dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/new-colombo-plan/2016-round/Pages/2016-round.aspx), which provides opportunities for Australian undergraduates to study in Indo-Pacific locations in order to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and political systems.

“A key issue for development in the Philippines, as in many parts of the world, is water. Access to clean water, proper sewage and sanitation are all issues that are faced by many countries, particularly after natural disasters. I want to learn how to improve these conditions.

“Being awarded this scholarship will allow me to gain practical experience working with communities, learning about their culture, working with a local organisation and pursuing my studies in a specialised environment,” she said.

Lisa hopes to eventually work in the field of international development, specifically looking at ways to manage water resources and increase sanitation.

“Studying over there will be a unique opportunity as they’ve made substantial progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, but around 25% of the population lives below the poverty line,” Lisa said.

Based on her performance during the application, Lisa was also chosen as the ‘top student’ for the Philippines, meaning she has been awarded the title of Phillipines Fellow. She will receive additional funding to purchase study materials and will be invited to events where she will act as an ambassador for both the New Colombo Plan Program and Australia.

“The scholarship program is highly competitive and I am very proud to be selected. It’s a dream come true,” Lisa said.