Author: mahnooranjum

Curiosity ignites. Passion fuels. STEMM empowers

My journey in engineering began with my grandfather’s captivating stories of his work with the Indian railways, sparking a deep fascination within me. Pursuing a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering seemed like the natural progression, yet as I delved deeper, I felt a growing concern for our environment. This led me to pivot towards a Master’s in Climate Science and Technology, where I immersed myself in understanding climate change complexities. Determined to focus on solutions to reduce the impact, I embarked on a PhD in renewable system engineering, focusing on weather-induced variability’s impact on Australia’s renewable energy systems. Despite challenges—starting a PhD amidst a pandemic in a new country—I persevered with the unwavering support of my mentors who guided me, showcasing the diverse career paths within STEMM. The journey may be complex, but the rewards are immeasurable when you realize you are contributing towards a sustainable future. 

Anyone can be a scientist.

I started university with no idea what I wanted to do, so I applied for a double degree in biology and history, the two subjects I liked most in high school. I worked out pretty early on that biology was the one I wanted to do as a career, but the degree in history helped me a lot with writing and critical thinking. After my bachelor’s degrees were finished, I completed an honors year in ecology, mostly as a way to see if I liked academia. My project focused on the impacts of environmental stress and population decline on the behavior of the eastern grey kangaroo. I’ve always liked knowing how things worked, and doing my own research was something that I enjoyed very much. I applied for a PhD candidature and was accepted, now I’m two years in and continuing my research into kangaroo behavior. STEMM is a great way for curious people to find out more about the world, and contribute to the collective knowledge in their relevant fields. Often people make the mistake of thinking that STEMM is only for the top percentile of people, but all you really need to succeed is a passion for learning and the dedication to follow that through until you have your results. STEMM is for everyone.