The Women's invites secondary schools to encourage and support the participation of girls in STEMM and join our 'Meet a Scientist' event, tailored to female students in years 10 - 12 with an interest in biomedical science.

Students will hear from four Women's research scientists, experience engaging presentations, have the opportunity to learn about career pathways in science and ask questions in our Q&A panel.

Traditionally, we welcome students to visit the Women's and meet our presenters in person. However, due to the uncertain times we find ourselves in, the 2021 event will be live streamed to schools. Live stream access will be provided closer to the date.

REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL TODAY!

"What a fabulous experience for the many secondary college students today, with strong, articulate women; powerful role models for the girls to aspire to."

Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network

"A big thank-you for yesterday’s event. My girls really got a lot out of it. Great discussions in the train on the way back showed it was a success."

Luther College

"We would like to thank your team for such a great event for our young women. They thoroughly enjoyed the morning and we had a rigorous conversation on the way back to school; study, the ‘wondering’ nature of career pathways, persistence and resilience...and so much more."

Castlemaine Secondary College

OUR PRESENTERS

Dr Elizabeth Baker, Neonatal Trainee, Research Fellow

Liz is a neonatal doctor and researcher at the Royal Women’s Hospital. Liz graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2017 and is near the completion of her specialist training as a neonatologist – a doctor who cares for newborn babies. Liz is a PhD student interested in improving the outcomes of babies born prematurely. She is working on a novel study looking at the use of cell therapy to help vulnerable preterm babies breathe more easily.

Pamela McCalman, Registered Midwife, Research Officer

Pam practices as a clinical midwife specialist at the Women's while she is completing her PhD, which focuses on the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are having a baby in Victoria. Pam also works for La Trobe University and the Women’s Hospital on a NHMRC funded partnership project named “Woman’s Journey, Baggarrook Yurrongi & Nuraagh Manma Buliana”- Improving the health of Aboriginal mothers and babies through continuity of midwife care.

Dr Amanda Kwong, Paediatric Physiotherapist, Postdoctoral Researcher

Amanda is a paediatric physiotherapist at the Royal Women's Hospital Newborn Follow-up clinic and a post-doctoral research fellow with the CRE Newborn Medicine group. Amanda's research interests are concerned with early detection and intervention of infants who are at high risk of cerebral palsy and/or movement difficulties. She is currently involved with the "Knowledge Translation of Early Cerebral Palsy (KiTE CP)" study which is investigating the implementation of early detection of cerebral palsy across key hospitals in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, including the Royal Women's Hospital.

Dr Ellen Menkhorst, Reproductive Biology Research Fellow

Ellen is a reproductive physiologist and Senior Research Fellow. She holds a Doctorate in Reproductive Physiology from the University of Melbourne. Ellen is passionate about helping women have a healthy pregnancy and developing new treatments to prevent serious diseases of pregnancy including preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy-induced disorder which affects around 5% of pregnancies worldwide. The key to a healthy pregnancy is a healthy placenta, so Ellen's research is focused on understanding how a healthy placenta forms during early pregnancy and developing new treatments to improve placental function in women at risk of developing preeclampsia.