Welcome New Members Update- October 2020

We would like to welcome all new NSW members who joined the RACI in Oct 2020. As a professional membership organisation, we provide networking and special interest events during the year. Details of all Branch events can be found on the website: https://www.raci.org.au/Web/About-Us/Branches/NSW_branch.aspx?Code=NSB

 

Name	Member Tyoe
Dr Ajay Karakoti	MRACI CChem
Miss Vrinda Gupta	Student Member
Mr Charles Mckibbin	Associate
Mrs Anu Verma	Student Member
Mr Jamie Mark Bryant	MRACI
Dr Liam David Adair	MRACI
Mr Lyndon Wale	Student member
Mr Ethan Zagarella	Student member
Mr Mohammed Alamin M ALRUWAII	Student member
Miss Alisha Mila	Student member

 

 

New Member Interviews

 

 

1. Martina Lessio

• Why did you decide to join RACI? 
  I have recently joined the Australian chemistry academic community after spending several years in the US.  I was a member of the America Chemical Society while I was there and found it very useful so I figured I would join RACI once I moved here.  Additionally, being able to participate to RACI events and seminars (such as the PhysChem online webinar) is a great way to network and get to know my new colleagues!

•  What is your current occupation?
  I am currently a Scientia Lecturer in the School of Chemistry at UNSW.
  
  

• What made you get into chemistry?
  I always enjoyed the fact that chemistry allows us to explain macroscopic phenomena by looking at the behaviour of nanoscopic particles, I find that fascinating and somehow empowering.  This aspect became more and more obvious and appealing to me once I started working with computational chemistry.  Additionally, since I was a child, I have been caring about environmental and sustainability and I feel like doing chemistry research and educating chemistry students allows me to have an impact in this field.
  
  

•  Do you use chemistry in your everyday life? If so, how?
  I do, I use chemistry for my research and I also teach chemistry as part of my job.  I also strive to cook and bake regularly and there is a bit of chemistry in there too.
  
  

•  Do you have a favourite chemical reaction?
  That would be photosynthesis!
  

• What do you like to do outside of chemistry?
  I very much enjoy going for hikes in and around Sydney, trying new restaurants, cooking, spending time with my cats, and watching TV series.
  
  

• How can the RACI help you in your current role?
  At the moment my main goal is to get to know and getting known by the Australian community and I think RACI has been very helpful in that way.  I am looking forward to joining a RACI conference soon! Additionally, as I am starting to build my research group, I think it would be fantastic to learn more about opportunities for supporting my students such as travel grants offered by RACI.

 

2. Aaron Lockhart

 

• How did you learn about RACI?

  I initially learnt about RACI when I received an email from them inviting me on a trip to the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor. I then rediscovered RACI when searching online for internships and other volunteering opportunities related to chemistry.

• Why did you decide to join RACI?

  I decided to become a member when I discovered the mentorship program.  The program and RACI seemed to be a good way to start networking, even as an undergraduate student.

• What degree program are you studying?

  I am currently enrolled at Macquarie University in the Bachelor of Science – Global challenges majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Science. I am on target to finish at the end of 2021.

• What made you get into chemistry?

  My year 12 chemistry teacher was really passionate about the field and would teach us about the different ways chemistry has helped support society while simultaneously relieving environmental stresses. From there on I have really enjoyed continuing to learn about the nature of the universe.

• Do you use chemistry in your everyday life? If so, how?

  Well yes, everybody uses chemistry in their day-to-day life, from making coffee and driving a car, right down to the self-assembly of DNA molecules. Chemistry is integrated into everything everybody does. Another more relevant example of a personal use of chemistry would be that I am currently brewing a homemade beer which encompasses a fermentation process.

• Do you have a favourite reagent or a reaction?

  Ethanol is a personal favourite, great for killing viruses, bacteria and brain cells.

• What do you like to do outside of chemistry?

  My favourite thing to do is be outdoors with friends, whether it be at the beach, playing sports or camping.

• How can the RACI help you in your current role?
  In short, networking. I am getting closer to joining the chemical industry and the more network connections I can gain, the more potential advice and opportunities I will have to help me start a healthy career.

 

3. Zhen Su

• How did you learn about RACI?

  I first learnt about RACI through the conference, “The International Coalition for Energy Storage and Innovation, ICESI2020 (1-5 March 2020, Sydney, Australia)”, which was jointly organised by RACI and UNSW Sydney.  Following the conference, I learnt that RACI is a representative group for all chemists in Australia, and my PhD supervisor, Prof. Chuan Zhao from UNSW Sydney, is also a member of RACI.  From there I started navigating through the website of RACI to find out more about RACI. 

   

• Why did you decide to join RACI?

  My PhD supervisor, Prof. Chuan Zhao, suggested to all students to join RACI in one of our group meetings.  Chuan is deeply engaged with RACI.  I do feel RACI is the strongest platform in Australia to connect all chemists. I also realise that there are many potential benefits, such as networking opportunities, career development program, mentoring program, volunteering opportunities, resources and advice on job seeking for PhD students.

   

• What degree program are you studying?

  I am a third-year PhD student at the UNSW Sydney researching on electrode materials and electrolytes for batteries.

   

• What made you get into chemistry?

  In my first encounter with chemistry at high school.  I was so fascinated by the different and beautiful colours of chemicals and amazing chemical reactions that I opted to take Materials Chemistry as my bachelor major.  Until now, I have 9 years of academic background in Chemistry and Materials including a bachelor degree (Materials), a Master degree (Materials) and a PhD (Chemistry).  My future work may also be related to Chemistry, so Chemistry is my life partner.

   

• Do you use chemistry in your everyday life? If so, how?

  My day starts and ends with chemistry, mainly electrochemistry.  I am developing advanced electrode materials and compound electrolytes for batteries to improve their discharge capacity, rate performance and cycling stability.  For example, when we use mobile phones and laptops powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, there are actually chemical reactions involving the oxidation and reduction of electrode materials and the diffusion of lithium ions in electrode materials.  Chemistry is an integral part of our lives.

   

• Do you have a favourite reagent or a reaction?

  My favourite reaction so far is the dehydration of sucrose by concentrated sulfuric acid, which was demonstrated by a high school Chemistry teacher.  I can still vividly remember, after adding concentrated sulfuric acid, the colour of sucrose powder changed from white to black and its volume gradually increased.  It was so amazing when I first saw this phenomenon that I fell into Chemistry since then.

• What do you like to do outside of chemistry?
  Outside of chemistry, I do like playing and watching badminton, cooking and reading.
  
  
• How can the RACI help you in your current role?
  As a student, RACI may be a study/research information resource for future endeavours.  As a member, RACI may help me to expand my network in Australia for future collaborations in battery-related research.  I’d like to participate in various conferences and activities in Australia and hope to communicate with other experienced researchers.  I am also hoping to expand my job opportunities through RACI.

4. Jim Mensah 

• How did you learn about RACI?

  I heard of RACI two years ago at the ISHHC18 conference in Sydney, in which RACI played a key role.  I made the decision to join RACI not too long ago when I had a chat with my supervisors, Prof. Michael Stockenhuber and Prof. Eric Kennedy from the University of Newcastle, NSW who are deeply engaged in RACI. 

• Why did you decide to join RACI?
  My decision to join RACI hinges on the opportunities it presents for networking with an active scientific community in Australia and for future collaborations.  In addition, RACI is touted as the voice of chemistry in Australia and has a strong connection with academia, industry and government, which is a good place to develop valuable skills for the future.
  
  
• What degree program are you studying? 

  I am currently in my final year of PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Newcastle, NSW with an interest in waste-to-energy processes using catalysis.

• What made you get into chemistry?
  I had an affection for anything science growing up.   My dad, who is a scientist himself, made science very enjoyable for me.  In addition, I received an award for the best Chemistry student for two consecutive years in High School.  I am sure you can tell I love Chemistry!  All I wanted to do was to keep drawing chemical bonds in space and on paper.
  
  
• Do you use chemistry in your everyday life? If so, how?

  Chemistry is an indispensable tool in our everyday lives. I can write a whole book on this if you give me the chance.  However, to put it subtly, being a chemical engineer means I get to appreciate the use of manufactured goods in our everyday lives.  From the seemingly mundane experiences of washing dishes with surfactants tells me how indispensable Chemistry is in our everyday lives

• Do you have a favourite reagent or a reaction?
  I do not have a favourite reagent or reaction.  However, my PhD research involves the catalytic synthesis of value-added products from waste materials such as plastics.  I love forming aromatics (BTX) from plastics.
  
  
• What do you like to do outside of chemistry?

  I do quite a lot when I am away from Chemistry.  Three activities that stand out to me are hanging out with friends, spending time with my family and playing lawn tennis.
  
  

• How can the RACI help you in your current role?
  RACI will help me build a strong scientific network, and find a mentor for career development.