STEM Careers | Melanie Farrier - Gender Equity in STEM Manager
Melanie Farrier
Nanotechnologist, Melanie has always been a passionate advocate of women in STEM. While at university, she was an outreach officer for the student science club and a keen member of a support group for females completing higher degrees. So when the opportunity to manage gender equity in Defence science came up, she jumped at the chance.
During her Honours studies, Melanie immersed herself in her research— exploring how gold nanoparticles could be used to improve gene therapy for cystic fibrosis—an innovation for which she was nominated for the Women in Innovation Awards two years running.
Later, her PhD research led her abroad, to a tissue engineering laboratory in Japan and then Germany’s nuclear reactor.
On finishing her PhD, Melanie decided she wanted to move out of research and into a position where she could make significant change in the Australian science landscape.
‘Moving from a STEM research background into a non-STEM role does have its challenges, but the diversity of thought that you bring to a non-STEM team is so important.’
Melanie loves working in the Defence Science and Technology Group.
‘DSTG has so many interesting areas of science and the work-life balance is fantastic. I have had an opportunity to travel and really share my passion for increasing the number of women in STEM.’
