CALD Voices in STEM Dr Chloe Lim

About the Guest
Dr Lubna Alam is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the Deakin Business School Deakin University, co-founder of the volunteer-run not-for-profit ALO Enlightened Women Inc., member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Multiculturism and winner of the ACT Outstanding Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion at the 2023 ACT Multicultural Awards and Westfield local hero 2023.
Lubna was also a finalist for the ACT women of the year in 2024, Women in ICT’s “Wicked women of the year” in 2022 and “ABC Canberra Multicultural champion” in 2022 for her contribution to gender equality and empowering migrant women. With nearly two decades working as an academic and an applied researcher, she is passionate about socio-technical and empowering impacts of emerging technologies on individuals and not-for-profits.

Episode Summary
In this episode of "Voices in STEM," host Dr. Chloe Lim interviews Dr. Lubna Alam, an Associate Professor of Information Systems at Deakin University. Dr. Alam shares her journey into STEM, discussing how cultural expectations in her home country of Bangladesh influenced her career choices. She also highlights her research interests in emerging technologies, such as social media, crowdsourcing, and AI, and the impact they have on individuals and organizations. Dr. Alam reflects on the challenges she faced as a culturally diverse woman in STEM and the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in overcoming these challenges. She also emphasizes the need for continuous learning and upskilling in the rapidly evolving field of STEM.


Key Takeaways:
Dr. Lubna Alam's journey into STEM was influenced by cultural expectations in Bangladesh, where engineering and medicine were the preferred career paths. Balancing a full-time job, raising a newborn, and completing a PhD was a significant challenge for Dr. Alam, but she successfully navigated these responsibilities with the support of mentors and sponsors. Language barriers and cultural assimilation can present challenges for culturally diverse women in STEM, but continuous upskilling and networking can help overcome these barriers.
Find out more
Connect with Dr Lubna Alam on LinkedIn. Find out more about Alo Enlightened Women.

*Season 2 of CALD Voices in STEM was made possible by YWCA Canberra Great Ydeas Small Grants program.*


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About the guest
Dr. Charis Teh is a cancer and immunology researcher based in Australia. She holds a PhD from ANU, a Master in Public Health from the University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Science Honours from ANU. Dr. Teh is currently a Victorian Cancer Agency Mid-Career Fellow at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Her work focuses on developing and improving life-saving cancer immunotherapy strategies using preclinical models and cutting-edge technologies. Dr. Teh is also a mother to two young daughters and is passionate about creating a healthier future for the next generation. She has been recognized for her advocacy for women in STEM disciplines and has received awards such as Superstar of STEM and 40 under 40 Most Influential Asian Australian Awards. Dr. Teh actively partners with local schools to deliver science activities in the classroom and runs scientific discovery tours to encourage young girls to pursue STEM careers.
 
Summary
In this episode of "CALD Voices in STEM," host Dr. Chloe Lim interviews Dr. Charis Teh, a cancer and immunology researcher in Australia. Dr. Teh shares her journey in STEM, from discovering her passion for science during her undergraduate studies to her current work in cancer immunotherapy. She discusses the challenges she has faced as a mother and a woman in STEM, including self-doubt and cultural expectations. Dr. Teh emphasizes the importance of finding mentors and building a supportive community in order to overcome these challenges. She also highlights the need for a shift in the traditional view of leadership in STEM towards a more collaborative and inclusive approach.
 
Key Takeaways
Dr. Charis Teh's interest in health and disease was sparked by growing up in Malaysia, where she witnessed the impact of infectious diseases on her community. Dr. Teh's experience at Stanford University on a Fulbright scholarship was a significant milestone in her career, allowing her to learn cutting-edge technology and experience the vibrant startup culture in Silicon Valley. As a mother returning to work after maternity leave, Dr. Teh faced challenges in balancing her roles as a scientist and a parent. She emphasizes the importance of finding support and being open about the struggles faced by working mothers.  
Find out more
Connect with Dr Charis Teh on LinkedIn and Twitter.  
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About the Guest
Sakshi Nanda is a proficient engineer with a unique blend of electronics, instrumentation, and biomedical engineering. With a background rooted in a culturally diverse heritage, she recognizes the immense value that different perspectives bring to the engineering field. Sakshi's personal experiences as a migrant have further ignited her passion for breaking down barriers and paving the way toward a future where diversity and excellence go hand in hand in the engineering industry. Currently working as a systems engineer in the Australian government, Sakshi has also previously worked as a biomedical engineer and medical device assessor at Therapeutic Goods Australia.
 
Summary
Sakshi shares her journey in pursuing a career in engineering, highlighting the influence of her parents and her fascination with science and technology. She discusses her education pathway, including her studies in electronics, instrumentation, and control engineering, as well as her pursuit of an advanced diploma in biomedical engineering while working full-time and raising a family. Sakshi also talks about her achievements, such as presenting her first conference paper on emerging and innovative technology at the Society of Medical and Biological Engineering conference. She emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the engineering industry and offers advice to other culturally diverse women pursuing careers in STEM.
 
Key Takeaways
Sakshi Nanda's passion for science and technology was nurtured by her parents, who come from diverse backgrounds in physics and medicine. She emphasizes the importance of networking, mentorship, and finding supportive communities to navigate these challenges and succeed in the STEM field. Sakshi believes that diversity is a catalyst for innovation and calls for changes in the engineering industry to prioritize diversity, inclusion, and the recognition of diverse talent.  
Find out more
Connect with Sakshi Nanda on LinkedIn.  
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About The Guest
 
Maria (Mafe) Bedoya is a Psychologist and HR Specialist, with a Masters of Business Management. With over a decade of corporate expertise in organizational psychology across diverse sectors including finance, security, gas & oil, and IT, Mafe specialises in corporate social well-being. She is also an entrepreneur, launching her coaching services for professional migrants in 2023.
 
Mafe migrated to Australia in 2019, while grappling with emotional challenges following a miscarriage, to study English and as a quest for healing and growth. She empathizes with the various hurdles that migrants encounter when living in a foreign country. Mafe‘s personal journey and resilience are chronicled in the collaborative work “Undefeated,” where she shares her narrative as a co-author.
 
Mafe is committed to supporting individuals in navigating and advancing their careers abroad, aiming to transform relocation anxieties into opportunities for personal and professional development. Through fostering understanding of emotions and unlocking potential, she empowers clients to overcome challenges and actualize their aspirations in new environments.
 
Summary
Maria shares her journey from working in vulnerable communities to pursuing a career in STEM. She discusses her experience working in the IT security industry and how she developed an app to address administrative challenges faced by employees. Maria also highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and offers advice for culturally diverse women pursuing careers in STEM.
 
Key Takeaways
Maria emphasizes the need to challenge stereotypes and unconscious gender bias in STEM fields. She suggests creating educational programs, providing mentoring opportunities, and reviewing workplace culture to promote diversity and inclusivity. Maria encourages culturally diverse women in STEM to believe in themselves, work smart, and seek out mentors and role models.  
Find out more
Connect with Maria Bedoya on Instagram and LinkedIn.  
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About The Guest
Dr Celia Torres-Villanueva graduated c*m laude (with honours) with a Bachelor of Science (Philippines), completed her PhD in Biomedical Sciences (US), and became a DNA vaccine scientist. Celia then became a lawyer in the Philippines and Australia.
 
She is the Board Chairperson of a 139-year-old pharmacy and a Director in other boards. She is a passionate mentor of migrants and in 2023, she won the EY Oceania CEO Social Contributor Leadership Award and was a finalist for the Corporate Legend award from the Australian Professionals of Colour. Her son, two daughters, and husband are all CALD STEM professionals.
 
Summary
Dr. Celia Torres-Villanueva shares her journey in STEM, from her early interest in science to her diverse career path. Growing up in the Philippines, she had the privilege of being encouraged to pursue STEM and attended a specialized science high school. She initially considered a career in law but ultimately decided to pursue molecular biology and biotechnology. She completed her PhD in the US and went on to establish her own research lab in the Philippines, focusing on DNA vaccines.
 
Later, she transitioned into the field of law and became involved in intellectual property and research contracts. She emphasizes the importance of having a holistic approach to increasing opportunities for culturally diverse women in STEM, including addressing recruitment, retention, and promotion within organizations. She also highlights the value of mentoring and encourages women to believe in themselves and seek support from mentors and allies.
 
Key Takeaways
Dr Celia Torres-Villanueva had an interest in both science and law, choosing to purse molecular biology first and set up her own research lab in the Phillipines. Transitioning into law, she contributed to intellectual property and research contracts, leveraging her scientific background for legal impact. Advocating for culturally diverse women in STEM, she underscores the importance of addressing recruitment, retention, and promotion challenges within organizations. Celia highlights the transformative power of mentoring, urging women to seek guidance and become mentors themselves.  Find out more
Connect with Dr Celia Torres-Villanueva on LinkedIn. Learn more about her work with migrant women leaders through Career Transformation Ventures. Visit drchloelim.com for more resources from this podcast. Follow Dr Chloe Lim
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About The Guest
Jawaria Mahmood is an engineer by qualification. She has experience working for the government, corporate and Not-for-profit sector in Australia and overseas. She is the founder of Tech Aware, which aims at improving digital literacy and cyber awareness for communities. She loves breaking down complex technical concepts into easy to understand information. She is a part of Engineers Australia D&I working group.
Jawaria uses both her professional and personal experience to support others. She provides safe space for women to learn and grow through mentorship. She loves sharing her language and culture through various platforms and is a proud ambassador for creating multicultural and cohesive communities.
Summary
Jawaria shares her journey into STEM, her passion for network security and cyber awareness, and her commitment to improving digital literacy for communities, especially children. She discusses her experience as a female engineer in a male-dominated field and the challenges she faced as a migrant woman in Australia. She semphasizes the importance of following one's passion and finding a supportive community to overcome obstacles. Jawaria also highlights the need for more inclusive workspaces and offers advice to culturally diverse women pursuing STEM careers.
Key Takeaways
Jawaria Mahmood pursued a career in engineering despite limited career options presented by her family. After a career break, Jawaria faced difficulties re-entering the workforce as a migrant woman with a gap in her resume. She founded Tech Aware to provide workshops on cyber awareness and digital literacy for children and community groups. Jawaria encourages culturally diverse women to follow their passion, find supportive allies, and be confident in their capabilities.  Find out more
Connect with Jawaria Mahmood on LinkedIn. Learn more about Tech Aware. Visit drchloelim.com for more resources from this podcast. Follow Dr Chloe Lim
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchloelim/
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