2024 Global Change Scholars

School of Agriculture & Food Sustainability

I am a first-year PhD student at the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability at the University of Queensland. Before undertaking my PhD studies, I worked as an expert Geographic Information System (GIS) assistant for various government and private organizations in Indonesia, where I was responsible for delivering accurate spatial data, formulating technical guidelines, and facilitating workshops. With a background in Geography and Agricultural Science from my previous studies, my PhD research focuses on using spatial technologies to enhance weed management in direct-seeded rice systems in Lao PDR to achieve sustainable food production.

School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences

My name is Aprezo Pardodi Maba. I am a PhD student at the School of Health and Rehabilitation, working under the supervision of A/Prof Asaduzzaman Khan and A/Prof Elizabeth Edwards. My research project is co-designing school-based lifestyle initiatives to reduce multiple risk behaviours among adolescents. This intervention is expected to enable school counsellors, teachers, and parents to prevent or intervene risky behaviours in adolescents. 

I also have been working as a senior lecturer at Universitas Ma’arif Lampung, Indonesia. I teach several courses, such as instrumentation, developmental psychology, and research methodology. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I have been involved in promoting mental health literacy among young people in Indonesia. 

Attaining knowledge and skills to use evidence-based practices to solve real-world issues, as well as connecting with experts and other PhD students from different disciplines, are the motivating factors for me to participate in the 2024 Global Change Scholar Program. This program will not only enhance my research capabilities but also foster my interdisciplinary collaboration and allow me to contribute more effectively to the field of adolescent healthy behaviours and mental health. 

School of Mathematics & Physics

Ariel is a PhD student at the School of Mathematics and Physics, where he researches atomic defects for quantum technologies using advanced first-principles quantum mechanical theories under the supervision of Dr. Carla Verdi and Prof. Ben Powell. He is mainly interested in how these methodologies will contribute to various research areas, from condensed matter and materials physics to quantum science and technology. He recently obtained his bachelor's degree in physics from Yachay Tech University. His BS research focused on condensed matter computation based on first principles or DFT calculations. Ariel has professional experience working with research groups in his field, such as the Electronic Structure Theory group at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, and the CompNano group at Yachay Tech University, Ecuador. His expertise encompasses various materials, including graphene, pyrite, and perovskites, and he has experience with high-performance supercomputers for ab initio modelling.

Ariel firmly believes that the use of computational tools for understanding, predicting, and developing new material properties is a challenging field that he wants to learn and delve deeper into. He is eager to enhance his understanding of solid-state principles, apply computational theory to innovative materials, and contribute to both academia and industry. Apart from his studies, he spends time playing video games and basketball, watching movies, cooking, and visiting new places.

School of Social Science

Bhakti Nugroho (He/His) is a PhD researcher at the School of Social Sciences, and his work tries to investigate the impact of the current relocation of Indonesia's capital city on the rights of Indigenous People. Dr. Peter Walters and Dr. Sonia Roitman are the supervisory team for his current project.  

As a member of the Department of Criminology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, he is an enthusiastic lecturer and researcher in Criminology, State Crime, and Human Rights.

School of Communication & Arts

Doreen Baingana is a PhD student in the School of Communication and Arts working on practice-led research in creative writing. Her project is a memoir about her experience of depression and recovery, exploring the psychological, social, and spiritual terrains of her ‘disorder’ and ‘cures’ with a focus on how her postcolonial context influenced her understanding and lived experience of the malaise. She will also analyse selected illness narratives by African women that address depression as a theme to investigate how narrative techniques are used to represent and make meaning out of mental illness. Doreen’s short story collection, Tropical Fish, won a Grace Paley Prize and a Commonwealth Prize for First Book, Africa Region, and she has been shortlisted thrice for the Caine Prize for African Writing. Other awards include a Miles Morland Foundation Scholarship; a Rockefeller Bellagio Residency; a Gretchen J. Bryant Distinguished Fellowship and the University of Queensland Press Mentorship Award, 2023. She has also published two children’s books as well as stories and essays in numerous journals. She holds a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland, College Park; has worked at Voice of America radio and Storymoja publishers; was chairperson of FEMRITE, the Uganda women writers’ association; and has taught creative writing at various forums across Africa.

School of Business

My name is Edidiong James, and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Queensland (UQ), under the joint supervision of Dr. Ivano Bongiovanni, Dr. Mashhuda Glencross, and Dr. Lewys Brace at the University of Exeter. I completed my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Software Engineering at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), where I developed a strong foundation in technical and analytical skills.

Professionally, I have taught students of varying ages, developing versatile communication and instructional skills, while nurturing a deep passion for education and mentorship. My global perspective was further enriched through extensive volunteering and leadership roles in China and Nigeria, where I led initiatives to support and unify students.

As a proud member of the prestigious Global Change Scholars Program, I am excited to expand my horizons beyond my current PhD research. The program’s seminars, workshops, and team-based placements will help me develop creative problem-solving skills and interdisciplinary research strategies. Through collaboration with the Global Change Institute, academic staff, and industry partners, I aim to apply my knowledge and skills to address real-world issues.

My vision is to lead research initiatives that inform policy development and industry practices, driving meaningful impact in the field of cybersecurity and contributing to a safer and more secure global digital landscape. Through the Global Change Scholars Program, I am committed to advancing solutions that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and promote responsible AI use on a global scale.

Queensland Brain Institute

I began my journey at UQ in 2019, completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours Class I) in 2022. Over those years, I underwent a variety of valuable experiences, including working as a research assistant/technician in multiple psychology/neuroscience labs, participating in the Summer Research Program, and presenting my work at national conferences. This ultimately fuelled my passion for research. I am now a PhD student at the Queensland Brain Institute, working under the supervision of Professor Gail Robinson.

My research investigates the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying creative thought, incorporating techniques such as non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroimaging. Since creativity is the key ingredient underlying societal advancement, the insights gained from this research will be applicable to any discipline. It will allow us to better understand how we as humans approach and solve the complex problems that we face on a day-to-day basis, providing practical and useful strategies on how to enhance our innovative thinking skills.

I decided to join the Global Change Scholars Program so that I could apply my creative expertise and scientific research skills in a practical, real-world setting. This program will be an invaluable opportunity for me to wholesomely experience the research world outside of academia, develop transdisciplinary skills, and ultimately broaden my career options post-PhD. I look forward to collaborating with fellow future researchers from diverse backgrounds to solve meaningful global challenges.

School of Civil Engineering

A Chemical Engineer and Biotechnology Engineer from the University of Chile, she is currently a PhD student at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Queensland. Professionally, she worked as a Process Control Engineer at Minera Escondida in Chile from 2021 to 2023.

School of Music

Mr. Hayden Mitt (MPhil, BMus(Hons)) is a PhD candidate at the School of Music and the School of the Environment. His research focuses on the identities, skillsets, and meanings derived by both general populations and creative industries workers from various contexts and learning experiences throughout the lifespan. Supported by the Paula & Tony Kinnane PhD Scholarship, his research investigates relationships and experiences with music and community among rural Queensland populations, using a mixed methods phenomenological approach. Hayden is also Convener of the International Society of Music Education (ISME) Student Chapter, the leading academic society in global music education.

School of Communication & Arts

My PhD explores the ways in which storytelling can be used to address challenges in climate change communication and encourage environmental action. I aim to explore the psychological mechanisms that help to make stories so compelling. I have a background in marketing, community engagement and sustainability.

I came to the University of Queensland to work with my supervisors, Professor Kelly Fielding and Dr Angela dean, who are both exceptionally skilled at working on environmental topics with other researchers in different disciplines. Their interdisciplinary skills applied to environmental problems are something I wish to foster within myself.

Through the Global Change Scholars Program, I hope to develop professional relationships with other postgraduate students, tackle interdisciplinary problems, make connections with real-world partners and find opportunities to have rewarding conservations about practical research.

I am an ecology and evolutionary biology PhD student in the School of the Environment working under the supervision of Dr. Simon Hart, Dr. Andrew Letten, and Assoc. Prof. Jan Engelstaedter. My research is aimed at improving the understanding of how species' interactions change, in response to fluctuating environmental conditions and evolutionary processes, by combining mathematical modelling with empirical data. A better understanding of species' responses will improve the accuracy and reliability of environmental impact predictions. I hope to communicate my research to a wide range of audiences to better protect and sustain diverse ecological communities facing novel environmental conditions under climate change.

Prior to commencing my PhD, I obtained a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Physics and a B.Sc.(Hons I) in Ecology and Conservation Biology from the University of Queensland. In my spare time I am an avid consumer of pop culture and a collector of hobbies.

Faculty of Medicine

Kien Quoc Do has been working for Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), a National public agency for diseases prevention and control since 2005. He has been experienced in dealing with various outbreaks and epidemics in Vietnam including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Influenza Pandemic A(H1N1) 2009, Hand – Foot – Mouth disease (HFMD), Cholera, Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. He was nominated to the National Program for Dengue prevention and control (National program) in 2012 where he overseen Dengue surveillance and prevention. He also has interests in Dengue research which focus on developing Dengue early warning system (EWS), conducting vaccine trial and developing models for proactive Dengue prevention. Currently, he pursues his PhD program at the University of Queensland.

His study is on evaluating the effectiveness of early warning system (EWS) in Mekong Delta provinces in the South of Vietnam where are impacted intensively by Dengue and climate change phenomena. He will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial and will work with multi-disciplinaries and inter-sectorial institutions from Central to grass-root levels such as People Committees, Health services, hospitals, centers for diseases control and universities in Vietnam for his research. He firmly believes that his research is not only benefit for the activities of Dengue prevention and control but also set up a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of future EWS of Dengue and other communicable diseases.  

Faculty of Medicine

Kiernan is a PhD student at the Centre of Research Excellence on Achieving the Tobacco Endgame and School of Public Health. His research is focused on understanding psycho-social and economic drivers of consumer demand for illicit tobacco, aimed at informing public policy that sustainably balances Australia’s fiscal and public health objectives. 

Trained in politics, philosophy and economics, his broader interests lie in the theoretical foundations of economic development, decision-making under uncertainty and governing risk. Kiernan is particularly driven by engagement in transdisciplinary research that translates theory into policy and tackles wicked problems with ambiguous economic and social trade-offs.

Faculty of Medicine 

I am an enthusiastic bioinformatics researcher with over 3 years of industry experience in bioinformatics, AI-based research, and cloud computing expertise on GCP. I am eager to contribute to the Omics and AI domains, aiming to revolutionize personalized medicine. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at QIMRB, University of Queensland, I focus on complex neoantigen prediction in cancer. My project aims to significantly advance cancer treatment by providing oncologists with a comprehensive, AI-driven pipeline for neoantigen prediction, paving the way for neoantigen-targeted vaccines. By integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and immune contexture data, I strive to enhance the accuracy and reliability of neoantigen identification, ultimately leading to personalized treatment strategies that harness the full potential of the patient's immune system against their specific cancer, thereby improving clinical outcomes and patient survival.

School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering 

Luoyuan is a PhD student at the School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering. After she completed the Bachelor of Information Management& Information Systems, she obtained the Master's degree in Multimedia Information Technology from City University of Hong Kong. Passionate about pushing the boundaries of knowledge, Luoyuan's research endeavors revolve around the application of cutting-edge machine learning techniques in optical fiber sensors.

School of Communication & Arts 

Minh Chanh Dang (he/him) is currently pursuing a PhD at the School of Communication & Arts, University of Queensland, where his research centers on media representations of drag performance in contemporary Vietnam. This timely and challenging topic aims to explore and illuminate crucial aspects of gender and sexual constructs within the country's culture and society. He earned his Master of Strategic Communication from the University of Queensland with outstanding achievements, including multiple Dean's Commendations for Academic Excellence. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, Minh has authored numerous in-depth articles on cultural and social issues, and has held roles as chief editor and content organizer for digital media platforms.

His primary interests are in media portrayals of gender and sexuality, as well as the societal and cultural impacts of digital technologies, particularly in the contexts of globalization, migration, and multicultural societies. Beyond his academic pursuits, Minh enjoys hobbies such as watching films, reading books, listening to music, and hiking. As an active participant in the Global Change Scholars program, he eagerly contributes his expertise and collaborates with fellow PhD students across various disciplines to address sustainable development challenges.

Faculty of Medicine

Naushene completed her Bachelor of Medical Science degree at the University of Canberra, after which she chose to pursue an Honours in Science and Technology within the field of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. This gave her the opportunity to discover her passion for research, particularly within the field of Retinal Pathology. 

Upon completing her Honours research project, she relocated to Brisbane where she is currently undertaking her PhD through the University of Queensland and the Layton Vision Foundation. Her PhD is focused on exploring potential gene therapies for the treatment of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration. While still in the early stages of her academic career, she aspires to contribute to the field with her research and is hopeful that her PhD will serve to be a step towards the development of a better prognosis for Dry AMD patients worldwide. 

School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering

Roshan is a PhD student in the school of Mechanical and Mining Engineering. His thesis is based on the 'Experimental Investigation of Plasma Fuel Engine Performance'. The outcomes of the project could have potential use cases in electrifying future aircrafts and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. His background is in Aerospace Engineering with a masters in Spacecraft Engineering.

School of Human Movement & Nutrition Sciences

I am Samitha Gowinnage, currently pursuing a PhD at the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Science under the guidance of Prof. Sean Tweedy. My research focuses on “developing and evaluating a screening tool to reduce the risk of adverse health events for people with disabilities commencing and participating in sport”. This topic has not been extensively explored in research, so I believe my study will be a foundational step in this area.

I earned my MBBS and Master’s in Public Health from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. In 2017, I was awarded the Australian Award Scholarship to study for an MSc in Disability Policy and Practices at Flinders University, South Australia. My research publications have consistently focused on health promotion and disability. With ten years of experience in public health and disability in Sri Lanka, I have also been a national para-rower in my country.

School of Biomedical Sciences

I am a PhD student at the UQ School of Biomedical Sciences, under the supervision of Dr Sherry Wu, Professor John Hooper, and Dr Stephen Blake. I completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours Class I) at UQ in 2023, which sparked my passion for immuno-oncology research.

My PhD project focuses on identifying new strategies to overcome immune suppression in ovarian cancer through a combination of bioinformatics and experimental techniques. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to broader efforts to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with ovarian cancer. I look forward to participating in the Global Change Scholars Program as it provides a unique opportunity to enhance my problem-solving and multi-disciplinary teamwork skills, which are crucial for tackling the complex, global challenge of cancer.

Institute for Molecular Bioscience

Shambhawi is a P.hD. Scholar at Institute for Molecular Biosciences under the supervision of Dr. David Craik. She is working towards application of cyclotides as biopesticide for sustainable future in agriculture. Since her childhood, she has never missed an opportunity to visit agricultural fields and have direct experiences with the ways and methods of farming, which piqued her innate interest in agriculture, biological systems and nature in general. Coupled with this interest, her love for science drove her in pursuing agriculture as career.

Shambhawi has completed her bachelor’s degree in Botany Honours, at University of Delhi, India and master’s degree in agriculture biotechnology, at G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, India. She secured an All-India Rank of 47 out of 6000 candidates in the master’s entrance exam and her study was funded by Department of Biotechnology, Gov. of India. During her master’s she worked on identifying the receptors involved in disease pathogenesis against Alternaria blight disease in Indian mustard. She has had privilege of working as biotechnology and food technology intern in France fully funded by the French ministry of Agriculture and Food sovereignty. Shambhawi is recipient of many scholarships and awards and have peer reviewed contribution in journals related to plant science. She looks forward to gaining industrial experience and work on challenging projects through Global Change Scholars Program.

School of Communication & Arts

My undergraduate degree was in journalism, and I worked as an ABC Radio broadcaster in regional NSW and South Australia before settling in Alice Springs in the NT for a few years. This experience was formative, and I’ve been wrestled with my position as a non-Indigenous Australian in the on-going colonial project ever since. Since finishing up at the ABC after stints at Triple J and RN, I’ve worked in marketing and communications, and completed a couple of degrees at UQ—a Graduate Diploma in Writing, Editing and Publishing, and a Master of Communication. My master’s thesis explored the media coverage following Rio Tinto’s destruction of Juukan Gorge in May 2020. My PhD research extends this, through a critique of public relations (PR) communication in the mining industry. I am interested in how the language of PR creates social legitimacy—or social licence to operate (SLO)—in the context of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) reporting criteria. My advisory team is Associate Professor Jane Johnston and Dr Aparna Hebbani.

School of Mathematics & Physics

Simon is a PhD student in the School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, supervised by Adj. Assoc. Prof. Adrian Dudek and Prof. Darryn Bryant. His research focuses on the intersection of two branches of mathematics: analytic number theory and graph theory.

Simon holds a BSc. and an Msc. from the University of Melbourne. He is passionate about sustainability and ecological conservation and enjoys tennis and hiking in his spare time.

School of Communication & Arts

Resilient, creative, and adaptive - those three things describe Nena in a nutshell. With more than 12 years of professional experience in the communication industry and more than 10  years of lecturing, she considers herself a hybrid of industry/academic professional with a strong project-management, communication and leadership skills. She is currently a PhD student with research focus in how communication strategies can be utilized to mitigate environmental, waste, and climate change issues. Her PhD research investigates how different communication strategies can be utilized to enhance waste-sorting practices in collective settings in her hometown of Jakarta, Indonesia. She is now in study leave from her position as a permanent lecturer at her home university, Universitas Indonesia. Nena holds a bachelor degree in Communication & Media Studies from Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia, and a master's degree in Technology and Social Change from Linköping University, Sweden. 

Faculty of Medicine

Linh is a PhD scholar at the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, supervised by Associate Professor Abdullah Al Mamun, Professor James Ward, and Professor David McIntyre. Her research project aims to investigate the epidemiological burden of gestational diabetes mellitus and its impact on the health of mothers and their offspring across Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous communities.

Linh earned her MSc in Nursing from Taiwan and has a strong interest in women’s health, nursing, and midwifery education. She is dedicated to advancing knowledge and improving healthcare outcomes for women through evidence-based practices. Linh actively seeks opportunities to contribute to her field and make a positive impact on women’s health and education.

School of Education

Ting was born and raised in China, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature. She later completed her Master of Educational Studies at the University of Queensland, developing a strong interest in young people's mental health and education. Following her master's degree, she pursued her academic career further as a PhD student at the School of Education.

Supervised by A/Prof Elizabeth Edwards and Dr. Damon Thomas, Ting's project examines the relationships between executive function, anxiety, and reading performance in primary school children. This project aims to develop an empirically validated, cost-effective, and readily accessible early intervention for childhood mental health, ultimately improving reading achievement.

School of Chemical Engineering

Uduak is a PhD student in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland Australia, under the supervision of Associate Professor Karen Steel and Emeritus Professor Joan Esterle. She joined the Australian Research Council (ARC) project which focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies to reduce CO2 emissions in the global steel industries while pioneering high-value biocoke production.

Before commencing her PhD, Uduak obtained her Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from Universities in Nigeria. Subsequently, she worked as an academic lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering in Nigeria, where she taught and mentored undergraduate students. She spent most of her time researching and publishing data on technologies of biomass valorisation for fossil fuel replacement to reduce carbon emissions. In her free time, Uduak enjoys reading, travelling, and watching soccer games.