Forrest Fellow Dr Jessica Buck has today been named one of Australia’s official Superstars of STEM for her work into childhood brain cancer. Dr Buck’s work aims to find better treatments for kids with cancer.
Dr Buck is one of 60 brilliant women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who want to step into the spotlight as media stars chosen for this acclaimed national program. She has studied both neuroscience and oncology at the University of Oxford where she completed her doctoral research in 2019 before returning to Australia to join the Brain Tumour research team at the Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Western Australia.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews officially announced those chosen for Science & Technology Australia’s game-changing Superstars of STEM program in 2021-22.
Science & Technology Australia Chief Executive Officer Misha Schubert said the program gave women in STEM stronger skills and confidence to step into expert commentary roles in the media.
Dr Buck is thrilled to have been chosen from a very competitive national field.
“The cliché is ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ but it really does ring true a lot of the time,” Dr Buck said.
“This program will really help to put women in STEM out there in the public eye and I’m so excited to be a part of that.”
Warden of the Forrest Research Foundation, Prof Paul Johnson said, “Jessica is a superb role model for all young women in science, and as a Kamilaroi woman she is an inspiration to other young Aboriginal women who study and work in STEM.”
“The Forrest Research Foundation is proud to be able to support Jessica’s pioneering research developing new treatments for children’s brain tumours.”
Supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, these next 60 Superstars of STEM will participate in the program in 2021 and 2022.
Media contacts:Forrest Research Foundation: Rochelle Gunn 0411 660 513Science & Technology Australia: Misha Schubert 0421 612 351
