Featured stories

Student highlights

Fast-tracking a career in Defence
30 Sep 2025 • Brody McBain

Fast-tracking a career in Defence

While studying a Bachelor of Information Technology, Brody secured a Defence Security Clearance Sponsorship, fast-tracking his career and opening the door to a permanent role in the sector.

Consistency-driven achievements: Meet Evie Nguyen
25 Sep 2025 • Evie Nguyen

Consistency-driven achievements: Meet Evie Nguyen

Evie’s story shows that university is more than studying, it’s about finding your people, building skills, and discovering what you are capable of

Creating change, building community
25 Sep 2025 • Hoang Nguyen Lam

Creating change, building community

Carrot’s journey shows that studying abroad can lead to opportunities far beyond academics, helping you grow personally and build meaningful connections.

Making a positive impact through a pathway Diploma
31 Jul 2025 • Madi Watson

Making a positive impact through a pathway Diploma

Originally studying a Bachelor of Biotechnology, Madi sought a change, more support and some added flexibility. The Diploma in Science offered just that.

Building community in nursing education
18 Jul 2025 • Shruti

Building community in nursing education

Bachelor of Nursing student Shruti shares how Newcastle became her second home.

Make the classroom work for your career with a Diploma
09 Jul 2025 • Kristen Troy

Make the classroom work for your career with a Diploma

Kristen is using her Diploma studies to help prepare for the changes in her industry and to stay ahead. And as a bonus, it's also helped her grow professionally.

Finding a passion for marketing through career-ready placement
27 Jun 2025 • Nishaya Ruwinka Perera

Finding a passion for marketing through career-ready placement

Nishaya worked across multiple projects that not only enhanced her content creation skills but also gave her a taste of the fast-paced marketing environment.

On the Path to Becoming One of Australia’s Few Indigenous Surgeons
24 Jun 2025 • Kieran Cubby

On the Path to Becoming One of Australia’s Few Indigenous Surgeons

Kieran has chosen to specialise in Orthopaedics to deepen his expertise and provide more effective trauma care.

Mountains, Moguls, and Machine Learning
20 Jun 2025 • Luke Ellis

Mountains, Moguls, and Machine Learning

A seasoned ski and snowboard instructor who splits his time between Aspen Snowmass in the USA and Thredbo in Australia, Luke is pursuing a Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Newcastle.

Forging a path to international law through Open Foundation
12 Jun 2025 • Chaitanya Zeman

Forging a path to international law through Open Foundation

At just 20 years old, Chaitanya is forging a path to international law through ambition and perseverance.

AI Ambitions from Pakistan
12 Jun 2025 • Abeeha Mariam

AI Ambitions from Pakistan

With a prior background in electrical engineering, Abeeha’s interest in data science was sparked during her final year of undergraduate study.

Advancing Care: From Nurse to Nurse Practitioner
12 Jun 2025 • Carrie Merrick

Advancing Care: From Nurse to Nurse Practitioner

Carrie’s passion for clinical excellence and her enduring desire to broaden her impact drove her to pursue the role of Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Shaping Mental Health Care Through Advanced Practice
03 Jun 2025 • Adam McGrath

Shaping Mental Health Care Through Advanced Practice

Adam began his professional journey with degrees in Health Science and Nursing (Honours), Mental Health Nursing, Psychology, and Nursing Leadership and Management. These foundations paved the way for the next major step in his career—pursuing a Master of Nurse Practitioner at the University of Newcastle.

Changing workplaces for the better
26 May 2025 • Luke Pedras

Changing workplaces for the better

Luke’s professional journey began in the world of exercise and sports science, but it was his growing interest in workplace wellbeing that set him on a new path.

A passion to keep people moving drove Blake to study podiatry
15 May 2025 • Blake Withers

A passion to keep people moving drove Blake to study podiatry

Blake Withers passion to keep people moving drove him to study Podiatry at the University of Newcastle and forge his career in the industry.

Reinventing a new career through teaching
08 May 2025 • Daniel Stanton

Reinventing a new career through teaching

The decision for Daniel to return to study wasn’t made lightly, but a lifelong passion for helping young people, sparked through volunteering, helped him take the leap.

Turning a passion for sport into a purpose-driven teaching career
08 May 2025 • Luke

Turning a passion for sport into a purpose-driven teaching career

Luke is studying a Master of Teaching (Secondary) and brings his passion for sport and leadership into the classroom.

Building the future, one project at a time
08 May 2025 • Guanminghe Zhao

Building the future, one project at a time

Guanminghe Zhao is a testament to how passion, education, and a supportive network can build a successful foundation for a rewarding career in engineering.

From passion to profession
16 Apr 2025 • Max Boys

From passion to profession

Max is making the most of his time at the University of Newcastle by combining his studies with practical, hands-on industry experience.

Exploring creativity and culture
14 Apr 2025 • Gizelle McKinnon

Exploring creativity and culture

Newcastle local and proud descendant of the Gomeroi mob, Gizelle has had the opportunity to embed and learn more about her own culture in her Master of Architecture studies.

Building Strength, Inspiring Change: My Path in Physiotherapy
12 Dec 2024 • Belshrin Kaur Terlochan Singh

Building Strength, Inspiring Change: My Path in Physiotherapy

Belshrin Kaur Terlochan Singh's journey from Malaysia to the University of Newcastle showcases her perseverance, passion, and dedication to making a difference.

Building future Architects
22 Nov 2024 • Ee Ching

Building future Architects

With aspirations to work in an architectural firm as an assistant after graduation, Ee Ching sought a program where she could learn through doing, making, and creating

From Comfort Zone to Corporate Zone
21 Nov 2024 • Rene Antonio Arnobit

From Comfort Zone to Corporate Zone

As a global citizen with a keen interest in conducting business across borders, Tony pursued a double degree in Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of International Business at the University of Newcastle.

Travis Hall
19 Nov 2024 • Travis Hall

Travis Hall

Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics

After leaving high school in Year 10, Travis joined the Australian Army where he served in PNG while also completing Open Foundation online.

Berkdeniz Cavusoglu
19 Nov 2024 • Berkdeniz Cavusoglu

Berkdeniz Cavusoglu

Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine

Arriving in Australia as a refugee, Cav soon developed a passion for helping others seeing him join the Australian Army at 18, and now our Joint Medical Program.

Transforming a passion for healthcare into a career in podiatry
15 Nov 2024 • Hazel Chua

Transforming a passion for healthcare into a career in podiatry

Working at a public hospital in Singapore as a professional podiatrist, alumna Hazel Chua believes that the University of Newcastle equipped her with the tools, knowledge and experience needed to thrive in her profession.

Transforming Travel: From tourist to tourism management and marketing
15 Nov 2024 • Jiaqian Ling

Transforming Travel: From tourist to tourism management and marketing

Taking any opportunities that came her way, Jiaqian was able to develop a range of skills that gave her the confidence to determine what she wanted her future to look like in Tourism Management

Open Foundation pathway ensures that Social Work is a fulfilling career
12 Nov 2024 • Steph Akers

Open Foundation pathway ensures that Social Work is a fulfilling career

Unsure about her future, Steph enrols in the University of Newcastle’s Open Foundation program and finds empowerment in sociology, wanting to provide support to marginalised communities.

Accelerating Careers Through Post-Graduate Study
07 Nov 2024 • Rachel McGuire

Accelerating Careers Through Post-Graduate Study

Rachel returns back to the University of Newcastle to continue furthering her professional development with the flexibility of a Master of Business Administration.

A passion for global business initiatives leads to postgraduate study abroad
01 Nov 2024 • Md. Zamil Abedin Talukar

A passion for global business initiatives leads to postgraduate study abroad

With a passion for creating innovative business strategies and aspirations to be a global team leader, Zamil Abedin credits the MBA program’s diverse curriculum and the hands-on learning.

Researcher highlights

Professor Karen Blackmore

Dr Karen Blackmore is driven by problem-solving. From the application of Virtual Reality for industry, to girls participation in STEM Karen is always looking toward an innovative solution to society’s issues.

Professor Anna Giacomini

Professor Anna Giacomini, Principal Researcher in the University's Priority Research Centre for Geotechnical and Materials Modelling, is committed to innovating, promoting and improving safety in mining and civil environments.

Associate Professor Patricia Saco

Associate Professor Patricia Saco’s research over the past years has focused on understanding the impacts of human pressures and climate variability and change on hydrology, land and soil resources.

Dr Emma Beckett

Molecular nutritionist Dr Emma Beckett is exploring the genetic secrets behind microbiomes and whether you really are what you eat.

Associate Professor Vicki Keast

Using a combination of advanced electron microscopy measurements and quantum simulations, Assoc. Prof. Vicki Keast investigates the fundamentals of materials properties.

Dr Danielle Verdon-Kidd

Dr Danielle Verdon-Kidd is researching the nature and triggers of extreme weather events, such as droughts, bushfires and storms to help our nation better prepare for what lies ahead.

Dr Khay Fong

The research of Dr Khay Fong centres upon the self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules into nanostructures and nanoparticles. The overarching aim of her research is to develop a platform nanotechnology that can be used in the creation of better medicines and diagnostic tools.

Dr Alex Callen

Dr. Alex Callen is a conservation biologist in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences. Her research focuses on the response of threatened amphibian populations to multiple environmental stresses and how fine scale habitat manipulations can improve their survival.

Dr Jessica Allen

If you ask Electrochemical Engineer Dr Jessica Allen what energises her the most in her field at present, she’ll talk enthusiastically about the burgeoning field that is energy technology, in particular, electrochemistry and the development of new renewable energy technologies.

Associate Professor Elham Doroodchi

Dr Doroodchi's research is underpinned by the two general areas of fluid mechanics and particle technology with the main focus being on the fundamental and applied research into multiphase systems.

Dr Jayne O'Shea

Dr O’Shea completed her PhD studies at Newcastle University (2010-2015), examining belt conveying system energy prediction models using the relaxation properties of rubber.

Dr Hannah Power

Coastal morphologist and geologist Dr Hannah Power is translating her research by collaborating with governments and councils so they can better manage coastal environments.

Professor Erica Wanless

Working with colleagues at the University of Newcastle and beyond, Professor Erica Wanless is leading two projects exploring how surface coatings change behaviours at phase boundaries.