By Shadma Fatima and Emma Harding

Cristina is a postdoctoral researcher investigating how galaxies form and evolve. Cristina is an advocate for diversity, is involved in world-wide research collaborations and co-founded a workshop to teach programming in developing countries. Cristina is a bright star and an inspiration for the future of STEM!

Cristina works in the UNSW School of Physics in Prof. Sarah Brough’s team.

Cristina’s research focuses on observing the intra-group light in groups of galaxies. This very diffuse intra-group light is a result of interactions between galaxies millions of years ago. Using this light as a “fossil record” of interactions, she can begin to understand how galaxies within those systems evolve and their history including tidal interactions and galactic merges.

Obtaining reliable outcomes in these studies are particularly challenging as, unlike in more traditional physics or other areas of science like biology, astrophysicists cannot really touch or experiment with the stars and galaxies that they study. Instead, they have to rely on different types of light and how you can interpret it.

Cristina has had an interest in science from an early age and was drawn to physics in high school. Her choice to attend university in the Canary Islands provided exposure to the two observatories in the area. One particular inspiration was the lecturers and teachers at the university that were conducting state-of-the-art research at the observatories and provided insight into the life of an astrophysicist. She loved the area so much that she continued on to a PhD at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands.

Although it is improving, Cristina notes that there is still many more men than women in astrophysics. At the PhD level in Australia, it is about 30% women with those numbers dropping lower at higher academic levels.

In search of how to transmit knowledge to make a real impact in the community, and inspire future STEM students, Cristina co-founded ‘Coded in the Stars’. This initiative, in which is also lecturer, aims to reinforce the programming and analytical skills of students in developing countries. ‘Coded in the Stars’ was also thought to increase the visibility of women in science and empower girls to pursue a STEMM career. It has been successfully developed at Meru University (Kenia) in 2018 and will be implemented in Bolivia.

Cristina is a recent mother, and reflects that motherhood as a researcher is challenging and has been confounded by the COVID19 pandemic. For Cristina, these challenges revolve around organise meetings with collaborators in different time zones, dealing with the myriad of illnesses picked up from daycare and organising time to attend conferences. Flexibility is key, and whilst Cristina is lucky to have a flexible timetable, not everyone has the same privileges. Her advice to prospective mothers in research is to realise that you will not be as productive for the first few years of parenting, and that is ok. There will be a period where you need to think carefully about the time you can dedicate to grants and research and be mindful not to overcommit.

Cristina’s advice for younger students considering a future in STEM is to not be dissuaded by the stereotypical scientist – the genious in a labcoat. You don’t have to be super smart to do astrophysics (or STEM), you just have to be interested and work hard!

Isabelle Capell-Hattam is an accomplished PhD candidate in UNSW School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (UNSW BABS) and a Woman in Maths and Science Champion. In her research, she is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating cholesterol production in the human body.

Originally from Coffs Harbour on the north coast of New South Wales, Isabelle moved to Sydney to pursue an undergraduate science degree at UNSW. She became interested in human biochemistry during lectures from her current PhD supervisor Prof. Andrew Brown (UNSW BABS). She approached Prof. Brown to find out more about his research and decided to undertake several internships in his lab. She remained in the lab for her Honours year, where she was awarded the 2016 University Medal in Molecular and Cell Biology for her work. 

Isabelle worked as a research assistant before commencing her PhD in 2018 under Prof. Brown, receiving a competitive UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship to undertake her research into the regulation of cholesterol production. Isabelle explains that the pathway for cholesterol production in the human body requires multiple enzymes, and she is interested in understanding how these enzymes are controlled. Isabelle is particularly interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms governing destruction of the enzymes, and the implications this has for cholesterol production.  

Isabelle’s research sounds complex and fascinating. She is one of the busiest PhD students I have ever met – and I’m not just referring to her lab work. Isabelle has been an avid scuba diver for over a decade. She has been involved with the university diving club during her time at UNSW, and in 2020 she became president of the UNSW Underwater Club. She enjoys exploring the coast, discovering the underwater ecosystem and meeting new people. Isabelle works at a Tenpin Bowling Alley where she manages competitions, partakes in a fortnightly sea shanty club with her friends and plays social netball. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, going for coastal walks and reading books. Isabelle recently participated in a charity event called the Shitbox Rally to raise money for the Cancer Council. For this event, she drove a car worth less than $1000 from Alice Springs to the Gold Coast via the Gulf of Carpentaria. Her and her dad’s team raised over $10,000.

I asked Isabelle if she had any words of advice for young women who may be interested in pursuing a career in science. She recommends choosing a field you’re passionate about and not rushing into any major career decisions. 

To find out more about Isabelle’s research, follow her on Twitter and read her research articles.