Humans of MQ
"We should have ejected, but I didn’t want to be the woman pilot who crashed a foreign plane."
Before she became a health system researcher, Professor Robyn Clay-Williams from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation earned her stripes – literally – as one of the first two female test pilots in Australia.
"I make getting around campus funnier with the Where’s Wally hunt so students and I can laugh together."
Channelling popular children’s book character Where’s Wally, Human Resources Lecturer Dr Hector Viveros Tapia has created a photographic scavenger hunt for new students to help them discover study and leisure locations on our park-like campus.
"A little bit of inspiration can motivate people to give art a go."
Unofficial Macquarie Library artist-in-residence, Rory Fallis draws inspiring illustrations to display in the foyer and believes his work helps forge connections between students and staff.
"I translate, advocate and help bridge cultural barriers for refugee kids. It’s really fulfilling."
When a humanitarian crisis hit close to home, sociology student Neilab Osman threw herself into refugee advocacy. Now she is forging a career helping refugees settle in Australia and managing a football team for newly-arrived Afghan children.
"Making candy can bring people so much joy."
In a bid to save her family’s COVID-hit candy business, Media and Marketing student Annabelle King began creating content on social media. Now her accounts have millions of followers and promote Australian flavours to an international audience.
"I cooked a 10-course lunch for 20 people who paid $1000 a head at last year’s MND Gala."
Professor of Neurology Dominic Rowe has spent 25 years caring for patients living with motor neuron disease and working towards a treatment for the cruel condition. Away from the clinic, he is a wizard in the kitchen.
“You don’t see many Lebanese-Australian women from Western Sydney making it into these spaces.”
Growing up in the war-on-terror era, Macquarie University alumna Annalise Awkar has spent much of her life dedicated to countering hate and polarisation. As the 2024 NSW Rhodes Scholar-Elect, she is set to advance her purpose at the prestigious University of Oxford.
“My family, Macquarie and church are the three pillars of my life.”
Jeanette Ratinac is a volunteer patient ‘actor’, learning scripts and simulating typical clinical scenarios for up to 15 medical students in a session as part of their clinical skills training and examinations.
"The book is about not always sticking to what we know and having a go at something different."
MQ Health general practitioner Sandra Van de Water knew from an early age that she wanted to be a doctor, but also nursed a desire to tell stories. Now she has published her first children’s book, The Black and White Buddies Brush Up.
"Coming to university was a revelation to me, I can be myself here."
For IT student Isabella (Izzy) Bath, the transition from high school to university gave her freedom to be her authentic self. It also led her to find an unexpected passion that will soon see her representing Australia in the UK.
"It was 56 kilometres, so like doing a marathon but doing it while climbing a mountain."
With 951 steps, the Furber Steps at Katoomba is one of the longest and steepest stairways in the Blue Mountains. Doing it once is a challenge for most people, but firefighter, Gavin Clifton, 53, and three mates did it 28 times non‑stop for 18 hours, all in the name of motor neurone disease (MND) research.
"I help people see science from an outsider's perspective."
Astronomy Open Night organiser Kelly Sharpless wears her job on her sleeve, donning dresses adorned with planets or star-studded overalls. Her tri-coloured tresses – which reflect our Macquarie colours – also make her easy to spot around the campus.