Welcome New Members Update- August 2020

We would like to welcome all new NSW members who joined the RACI in Aug 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 Type
Mr Shan Mohanan	PG student
Ms Sherrie Liu	Student member
Ms Princess Collin Borromeo	Student member
Miss Ritah Asiimwe	MRACI
Mr Vincent Djohan	Student member
Dr Jessica Veliscek Carolan	MRACI
Mr Travis Hochwallner	Student member
Mrs Elsie Sophia Pieterse	Student member
Bithika Said	MRACI CChem
Ms Genevieve Firmer	PG student
Miss Monique Yakas	Student member
Dr Benjamin John Buckley	MRACI CChem
Ms Ahilya Singh	PG student

 

60 seconds with new RACI members-

1. Rajko Romic

*How did you learn about RACI?
I’ve learnt about RACI through the career website of my university I was looking through upcoming events to learn where my degree could take me.  Eventually I found the RACI intensive career workshop where I met a bunch of people doing similar things.  Through there, I learn more about what RACI does and all that good stuff.

*Why did you decide to join RACI?
As a future chemist, I believe RACI would give me a kickstart with my career by giving me valuable networking opportunities.  I feel as though in this day and age, a good network of people relating to your job is vital to getting anything done.

*What degree program are you studying?
I’m currently a third year student studying a Bachelor of Science (Major: Chemistry) at the University of Technology Sydney.

*What made you get into chemistry?
I believe I always had a knack for it at a young age.  It was that or the fact that I had a good high school chemistry teacher.

*Do you use chemistry in your everyday life? If so, how?
Well technically we all do as it’s the central science.  Unconsciously or consciously. Job-wise, not at the moment but I’m planning to use the skills and knowledge I get from university.

*Do you have a favourite reagent or a reaction?
Nah, not really.  I like them all.

*What do you like to do outside of chemistry?
I like to read specific literature and improve upon on existing or new knowledge.  Philosophy really interests me as well as general history.  Video games are also something I adore; just like most people my age.

*How can the RACI help you in your current role?
Again, I think RACI could really help me find the connections I really need to kickstart my career.  And just meet new people and build long-lasting friendships.

2. Simon Robson

*How did you learn about RACI?
I learned about RACI through Dave Sammut, whom we met at a networking night run by The University of Sydney late last year and I'm now a part of the RACI mentoring program.

*Why did you decide to join RACI?
I joined RACI because of the student mentoring program, I didn't know much about the world of chemistry outside the 'four walls' of university.

*What degree program are you studying?
I'm studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in chemistry and nanoscience at The University of Sydney

*What made you get into chemistry?
I actually wasn't very interested in chemistry in school.  I took it as a filler subject at Uni and fell in love with the mix of analytics and practicality, as well as the hands-on nature of chemistry labs.

*Do you use chemistry in your everyday life? If so, how?
I definitely use chemistry in everyday life.  I work as a high school tutor for chemistry, physics, and math so I obviously use it a lot there, but I also like to spend a little bit of time pondering the chemistry of seemingly mundane experiences (like washing dishes).

*Do you have a favourite reagent or a reaction?
I actually don't have a favourite reaction or reagent at the moment because I'm more interested in the intramolecular structures of surfactants and ionic liquids, I find the balance of chemistry and statistical mechanics fascinating in all kinds of soft matter systems.

*What do you like to do outside of chemistry?
Outside of chemistry, I like to play nostalgic video games, hike and camp when weather permits, do some mechanical work on my motorcycle and of course, a couple of good beers with good friends is always great.

*How can the RACI help you in your current role?
RACI has already been helping me find out more about industrial chemistry and broaden my professional network :-)

3. Ahmad Tabish

*How did you learn about RACI?
I learned about RACI when I was talking to some of the fellow researchers here at Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials of University of Newcastle.  I learned more about the organisation when I went through its website and found it to be very much resourceful.

*Why did you decide to join RACI?
RACI will be a great source for me to be updated with the latest research around in material sciences by connecting with fellow researchers around  Australia.  Also, we can network well with other members and share our research ideas.

*What degree program are you studying?
I am pursuing a newly launched PhD in Materials Sciences and Engineering at Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials of University of Newcastle

*What made you get into chemistry?
Well, I am a chemical engineer by profession, and have been deeply involved in research related to corrosion, coatings, nanomaterials and have published various papers, book chapters, etc.  All these have now become a driving force for me to continue my search for making novel materials with advanced properties for various applications in our scientific society.  My passion for further research in chemistry was also motivated when I was in touch with world renowned scientist, Prof Ajayan Vinu ( https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/ajayan-vinu ), who encouraged me to progress further in research here at his centre in Newcastle.

 *Do you use chemistry in your everyday life? If so, how?
Well, as I said, I am a chemical engineer by profession, so chemistry related reactions / products are in everyday life.  From the clothes we wear to the pen we use, it is all about polymer chains.
Every morning, when we have a cup of coffee, it is actually a chemical reaction involving boiling of water and hence, chemistry is an integral part of our lives forever!

*Do you have a favourite reagent or a reaction?
Here at Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials of University of Newcastle, I am presently involved in making novel silica based nanomaterials, which have now become a daily part of my life, and I am loving that!

*What do you like to do outside of chemistry?
Well, I like to explore new places.  Earlier, I was involved in research at UAE and Middle East, and also in Poland for a while.  I love visiting and learning the heritage and culture of places.  I am now keen to discover the beautiful Australia!

*How can the RACI help you in your current role?
Being a young researcher in material sciences, I am sure RACI can help me to connect with fellow senior researchers in this area around Australia through conferences, seminars; which will be beneficial for my research endeavours.

4. Diana Eloise Bibay 

* Why did you decide to join RACI?
I decided to join RACI for three reasons.  First is to benefit from its extensive networking opportunities, second is for me to be updated with the current events in the Australian chemistry community, and third is to have the privilege to affix the prestigious MRACI title to my name.

* What is your current occupation? 
I am currently running a Filipino food business, while trying to look for opportunities to enter the chemistry scene here in Sydney.

* What made you get into chemistry?
Honestly, I wasn’t 100% into pursuing Chemistry at first.  I wanted to pursue theatre but I wasn’t allowed to at my high school.  I graduated from Philippine Science High School, a research-oriented and specialised public high school in the Philippines that requires its graduates to take up specific STEM degree programs in college.  I ended up choosing chemistry because I enjoyed my high school lab classes and I thought wearing a labcoat and googles made me look smart.

* Do you use chemistry in your everyday life? If so, how?
Of course!  I use chemistry when I cook, eat, take a bath, clean the house, etc.  It’s literally everywhere.  It won’t be called the central science if it wasn’t, right?

* Do you have a favourite chemical reaction?
Maillard reaction would be my top favourite just because it makes my brown butter chocolate chip cookies possible.  A runner-up would be respiration.  If it wasn’t for it, we’re probably not reading this month’s newsletter right now.

* What do you like to do outside of chemistry?
I enjoy watching theatre productions.  It’s still my first love.  I also love cooking, baking, and playing with my rabbits Flurry, Norman, and Nugget.

* How can the RACI help you in your current role?
I’m eager to start building my chemistry career as soon as possible so I think RACI will be most helpful to me through its Career Development Program.