Meet our alumni

At 3am, while most of Australia sleeps, Dr Devin Deo is rushing between Code Blue emergencies at Westmead Children’s Hospital. If you had asked him as a fresh graduate, he would never have predicted he’d find his calling in one of medicine’s most demanding yet rewarding fields: paediatrics.

For Joshua, teaching is about more than lessons and timetables; it’s about opening doors where they may not otherwise exist. For the past four years, he has served a small rural community, using health and physical education to tackle inequity, build confidence, and inspire change.

When Chris Doyle enrolled at the University of Newcastle in the 1990s, he never imagined his career would take him to global tech giants like Spotify and Hinge. Today, he’s helping shape innovation on a worldwide stage.

From editing Opus and experiencing the University’s transition to autonomy, to championing people-first urban planning and driving employment recovery after BHP’s collapse as a dedicated Labour Party member, Allan Morris shares his remarkable life journey.

What began as an injury became a turning point for Storm, revealing the daily barriers people with disabilities face. Determined to break them down and reshape beauty standards, she founded an accessible beauty brand with a bold mission: to make inclusivity the norm.

From the Great Barrier Reef to Sumatra’s wild jungles, Sonny’s work as an ecologist spans some of the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems. Discover how his career in restoration, eco-tourism, and conservation volunteering is making a real difference.

From her first steps into the healthcare industry as a 16-year-old carer to becoming a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse and published author, Rasa’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and dedication to her patients, profession, and community.

As a proud Gomeroi woman raised in the Darkinjung Aboriginal community on the Central Coast, Jackie has seen both the resilience and challenges faced by Aboriginal people. Driven by a deep commitment to her heritage, she is dedicated to fostering meaningful change and empowering communities.

What began as a passion for music became a fascination with engineering and AI. Chris and his team turned a garage startup into a global tech company, transforming the operations of major retailers with AI-driven product recognition.

Izzy’s bold, vibrant illustrations and savvy social media strategy have taken her from local creative to global artist. Through creativity, consistency, and authentic connection online, she’s landed partnerships with the likes of Chanel, Starbucks, and The New York Times.

Newcastle-born journalist and television host Helen Kapalos has built a celebrated career telling stories that matter. As a filmmaker and advocate, she draws on her community roots and personal resilience to inform, inspire, and drive meaningful change, earning widespread recognition along the way.

From an NBN cadet to Managing Editor of SBS World News, Adam McIlrick’s career showcases the power of local journalism to shape aspiring reporters, the importance of uncovering the ‘why’ behind every story, and navigating the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital media landscape.

From interning at the Supreme Court of Justice in Brazil and the UN, to studying at Oxford, Kelsey has turned her global experiences into a passion for driving meaningful change. Now a Senior Policy Officer at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, she continues to shape policy and advocate for a sustainable future.

Inspired by her travels, Sally used her Bachelor of Business to transform a community centre in Cambodia, helping the community break the cycle of poverty through education. Now leading Human and Hope Australia, she continues to champion grassroots-driven development, advocate for local leadership, and inspire meaningful change worldwide.

With over 20 years in the music industry, Ron has built a remarkable career as a songwriter, performer, and creative leader, collaborating with artists such as Marcia Hines, Shannon Noll, and Lil Jon. His journey has taken him around the world, performing in Malaysia and Indonesia and releasing music in Australia and Europe.

Discover the untold stories of our alumni behind the Matildas historic journey to the FIFA Women's World Cup Semi-Finals. Unity, empowerment, and athletic triumph - how the Matildas are redefining women's sports in Australia.

As a proud Wiradjuri woman from Dubbo, not only is Taylah the first identified Aboriginal person to undertake a PhD in Law at the University of Newcastle, at just 26 she is making waves in creating social change for First Nations people.

Very few people have the distinct honour of residing in Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and home to generations of British royalty. That’s the reality for alumna, Miriam Allan (BMus(Hons) 2000/MCA 2004).

Jarrod Sansom, an alumnus and Ma & Morley Ambassador, is a talented performer, having starred in the hit musical Jersey Boys. He is also a NSW Country champion and record holder for the 400m hurdles.

Bachelor of Commerce (2014) alumna Catherine Olivier is the COO and Co-founder of LeukBook. We discussed her career since graduation and what the business means to her.

From pop singer and movie star to tech finance entrepreneur, Race Wong’s career has been an incredible adventure to date. Race's journey prepared her to become the leading force behind Southeast Asia's leading property tech company, Ohmyhome.

Sarah Voon stands as a shining example of female empowerment, leading the charge in reshaping the digital landscape, one online community at a time. Her journey began with a Bachelor of Communication from the University of Newcastle in 2012, setting the stage for her illustrious career in the media industry.

His impact at the World Economic Forum is unparalleled, as he collaborates with world leaders to shape healthcare agendas and prepare for pandemics. With a relentless drive to transform healthcare, his vision is to outperform future pandemics within "100 days".

Indian-born Pavan Kumar says his Master of Information Technology from the University of Newcastle played an important part in getting him where he is today.

University of Newcastle alumni Caik Leng Chua and LP Yap run a successful architectural practice in Kuala Lumpur. When looking to recruit, they turned to the University of Newcastle to find their next talented architect, Nur Saliza Zakaria.

Karan Gupta’s passion in life is to help his clients plan and achieve their life goals by providing sound financial services. Karan first found his passion at Sykes & Ray Equities, a firm founded by his father 30 years ago, while in his undergraduate years.

Tandin Wangmo is currently the Head of Office and the National Project Coordinator for the Regional Office of South Asia, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), working out of Bhutan. Her focus is on leading anti-human trafficking programs.

Kanishk Kumar is a business development and market entry consulting professional, with a reputation for helping businesses grow. With interests in both India and Australia, Kanishk was awarded the Excellence in Service Award by Austrade.

Yifan Wang came to the University of Newcastle through the Sichuan International Studies Double Degree Program and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2017. She describes her experience as ‘transformational and life changing’.

Ronnie is proud that he can provide a positive impact for the Samoan people on a national level, but it’s not something he would have had the courage to do before studying at the University of Newcastle.

Dr Seeseei Molimau-Samasoni is an expert in biotechnology. She is currently investigating the pharmaceutical applications of native plants in her home country Samoa.