June 13, 2014

Chemistry students network with industry insiders

UOW Chemistry students rubbed shoulders with industry representatives from 23 high-profile science and research companies yesterday (Thursday 12 June) at the annual student-run Science Trade Display.

The event, organised by students from UOW’s Chemistry Society, saw companies such as PerkinElmer, an American multinational that produces cutting-edge software and instruments for genetic testing, diagnostics and medical imaging, visit UOW’s Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health. 

Monica Birrento, who is in her third year of a chemistry PhD at UOW, organised the event.

“It was great to see research students engaging with the industry representatives and discovering new avenues to direct their own research projects,” the president of UOW’s Chemistry Society said.

“As a PhD student it’s important to stay on top of the latest instrumentation and methods in my field. It was motivating to get fresh ideas for new experiments to complete my research work.”

Fourth year Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) student, Jamie Smyth, who plans to continue his medical research at the end of his degree, said the event helped him network with key industry insiders. 

“The trade display was a fantastic way to form some new contacts and network with various representatives from companies relevant to my current, and possibly future research.”

Nathalie Riphaus, an international research student from Munich, Germany, used the event to talk to chemical suppliers about new equipment, techniques and chemicals that could be used in her research.

“It was great to get an insight into the Australian chemical business. I gained lots of new information about chemical suppliers in Australia as well as some useful hints for my daily laboratory work," she said.  

Bob Wu, from one of the participating companies, Phenomenex, which specialises in chromatography products, said he enjoyed speaking to students and seeing their enthusiasm to learn about chromatography.

“It was a pleasure to meet so many people from different areas of research that are very dedicated to their work.”