Equity, diversity and inclusion

Dr Jenny Fisher
Building 41, Room G19
T + 61 2 4221 5484

Martina Sanderson-Smith, School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience

Anthony Dosseto, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences

Megan Thomas, Graduate School of Medicine

John Rihari-Thomas, School of Nursing

Yasmine Probst, School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences

Elizabeth Dale, School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences

SMAH has formed an HDR Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Read more about the working group co-chairs and members:

Noor Jarbou

Email: nsmj908@uowmail.edu.au 

I joined UOW in 2018 as a PhD student working with Professor Kelly Newell of Neuroscience department, School of Medicine, Faculty of Science. My research focusses on antenatal depression; focusing on investigating the impact of current drug treatments on offspring, and proposing for another promising treatment. I casually, work as a demonstrator for mainly Genetics subjects.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Applied Biology, specialised in Genetics and Molecular Science, and a master’s degree in medical Science, in Genetics and Molecular Science, from Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan. I have worked as teacher assistant at Jordan University of Science and Technology, as a part time job. Then, as a senior pathologist in Jordanian Ministry of Health, working as a chair of biochemistry department.

Being an immigrant, English is my second language, plus I am mother of a gorgeous 6 years son, all of these factors have taught me how to be resilient and have empathy to others whom are trying to find their ways despite their own life obstacles. And that is why I joined EDI committee; trying to support HDR students, especially to those who need to be approached differently.

Siobhan Heatwole

Email: sjh912@uowmail.edu.au 

I’m a postgrad student specialising in marine ecology and animal behaviour, and have led a few ‘different lives’ before starting my PhD at UOW.

During my undergraduate studies in Canberra I pursued my varied interests in learning about different cultures, learning other languages and doing biological research. I’ve worked in policy development roles for Australian government agencies, as a marine researcher at universities in Australia and Taiwan, and at a conservation organisation in Indonesia. These experiences have given me the opportunity to work with a wide range of people, and to see first-hand just how valuable diverse perspectives, beliefs and skills can be in solving complex problems.

Having worked in science for quite some time in a range of contexts, I know many friends and colleagues that have also gone through the challenges of postgrad study. I strongly believe that social barriers and biases should not be among those challenges. I want to support HDR students to reach their potential, and a big part of that involves helping to build an equitable, diverse and inclusive scientific community both at UOW and more broadly.

If you’re a HDR student that would like to discuss any issues relating to equity, diversity and inclusion – whether it’s challenges you are facing or ideas you have about how we can do better – please feel free to get in touch. Your thoughts and privacy will be respected.

Working group members

Catheline Froehlich

Email: cymf988@uowmail.edu.au 

Bio: I am an HDR fellow at the University of Wollongong and an international student. As a European American, I often observe indirect discrimination against minorities back at home. I would like to ensure that UOW removes any underlying discrimination and barriers so that all students can feel welcome and equal in pursuing higher education. Our students need the support to not only survive but thrive in an academic setting. It is time to put our students’ priorities first and ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion is uphold for us all.

Ashna Kumar

Email: aak472@uowmail.edu.au

I am a HDR student working with Senior Professor Marie Ranson in the Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology research group at the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, UOW. My research is focussed on targeting a specific protease system strongly associated in multiple metastatic cancer types and optimising drug delivery outcomes for a subset of compounds in pancreatic cancer. I identify as a Pasifika person and am also a first-generation university student. Statistically, the Pasifika population is 3 times less likely to obtain tertiary education than the generational Australian population. As a result of underrepresentation, there is an inherent lack of motivation, support, understanding and resources available within the greater community on how to access higher education and training, graduate outcomes and what it means to be involved in HDR, especially in STEM. My interest in the EDI committee is to make higher education and STEM more accessible and equitable for a diverse cohort of students who may also identify with having similar struggles and to provide a safe and inclusive space for all students

Tamer Al-ghraiybah

Email:  tamer@uow.edu.au

Tamer Al-ghraiybah is a PhD candidate in nursing school, who is working with Dr Jenny sim, Dr. Luise Lago and Prof. Ritin Fernandez. Tamer’s research area is focusing on the improving of healthcare quality, patient safety and healthcare risk management. His PhD study focusing on work environment and its relationship with patients’ outcomes such as pressure injury, hospital acquired infection, patient fall and mortality.

Tamer Al-ghraiybah has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Jordan University of Science and Technology. Also, Tamer has more than 10 years of experience; five years as a registered nurse in intensive care unit, four years as a healthcare risk manager and two years as a teaching assistance in university.

Tamer bring this real-life experience leading to work in a team and apply high skills of communication while he was working in nursing care, healthcare management and teaching assistance. Working in multi-places exposed him to work with many people with multi-diversity background. This provides him the skills of communication and teamwork. Thus, he believes that by joining the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, he will assist PhD students by allowing diverse voices to be heard and all to feel included.