Rotary & NYSF Alumni Evening 2019 (Session B, Brisbane)

About the event

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) welcomes all NYSF alumni, Rotary members, as well as friends and partners of the organisation to this free event.

The NYSF Rotary and Alumni Evening event offers a fantastic opportunity for current NYSF students to mix with the NYSF alumni to hear their stories, experiences and wisdom gained while pursuing study and career paths in STEM fields. NYSF Partners are also invited to meet our alumni and to share insight into their own STEM organisations and the work they undertake.

The event will start with a keynote presentation by NYSF alumna Sophie O'Neill, followed by a facilitated panel discussion with alumni with a range of backgrounds and experiences.

The evening will conclude with a question and answer session and an opportunity for mingling and networking between the guests. A light evening supper will be provided along with non-alcoholic beverages.

About the speaker

Sophie O'Neill – Science Communicator, Bio-risk Manager/ Biosafety Advisor for Health Safety and Wellness Division at The University of Queensland (UQ).

Miss Sophie O’Neill was a NYSF attendee in January 1994, and is currently one of three Bio-risk managers at UQ Health, Safety and Wellness Division. Her portfolio responsibilities include providing leadership in the areas of biosafety, biosecurity and laboratory safety at UQ; assisting students and staff to have a better understanding of regulations and permits relating to research; teaching in areas of safety and risk management and strives to be part of the communication world by producing quarterly newsletters and run safe work month events on behalf of the division. On the weekends Sophie is also a volunteer for the Queensland Museum at Southbank, assisting with the Sparklab (Science Centre) community science projects, museum exhibits and special events such as the annual World Science Festival program held in March, Brisbane.

Now a science communicator, Sophie’s career launched with Rotary’s support at the National Youth Science Forum (National Science Summer School), followed by; vocational scholarship at QUT, B. Applied Science at QUT, Honours in Plant Biotechnology developing the platform for edible banana vaccines (currently in commercial development stage in Northern Qld), volunteering to start her science career in the government (Department of Primary Industries) for 3 months doing viral mite/plant work followed by Plant Herbarium/Northern Diagnostics Network, Scientist in the Sugar Booster Program/Technology ‘Growing fuels in sugarcane’ at UQ, BSES/SRA commercial program to create the world’s first Genetically Modified Sugarcane, and with Safety qualifications and Certificate/ Diploma in Science Communications at UQ, a Biosafety role to help other scientist progress their work.