December 11, 2024

Meet UOW’s two new Superstars of STEM

Dr Jody Moller and Dr Jennifer Baker recognised by Science & Technology Australia

Two University of Wollongong (UOW) academics – Dr Jody Moller and Dr Jennifer Baker – were today (Wednesday 11 December) named among Australia’s official Superstars of STEM.

Minister for Industry and Science, The Hon Ed Husic, officially announced those chosen for Science & Technology Australia’s (STA) Superstars of STEM program in 2025-26.

The program is an initiative of Science & Technology Australia, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and aims to smash gender assumptions about who can and should work in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

Through a highly competitive selection process, the program selects 60 women and non-binary STEM experts and gives them the training, confidence, networks and experience to become sought-after media commentators as experts in their fields. 

Dr Moller is a chemical toxicology expert whose research focuses on vaping and e-cigarettes. Dr Baker is a medicinal chemist who designs and makes new drugs to treat cancer.

Dr Jody Moller

Dr Moller, a Senior Lecturer in UOW’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, was thrilled to be named a Superstar of STEM and said she was honoured to be paving the way for up-and-coming scientists.

“It’s wonderful to be a part of a program that’s challenging assumptions about who can work in STEM fields,” Dr Moller said.

“I’ve always believed that it’s essential to support and inspire younger female scientists. I’m honoured to now be in a position to show those at the start of their careers that they can make meaningful contributions to science communications and research."

Dr Moller is a leader in e-cigarette and vaping research. She regularly engages with media to talk about the health and regulatory complexities around vaping. Earlier this years Dr Moller was called to give expert evidence at a Parliamentary Inquiry into E-cigarette regulation and compliance in New South Wales.

Dr Jennifer Baker

Dr Baker, also from UOW’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, said she was delighted to join the Superstars of STEM program and is looking forward to sharing more about her research as part of the initiative.

“The Superstars of STEM program will give me invaluable skills in public speaking, media training and communicating with influence, something that is vital if we want to continue to inspire up-and-coming young scientists,” Dr Baker said.

Dr Baker joined UOW in 2024 as a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow. She works in both computational and synthetic drug design and synthesis. Dr Baker spent six months of this year at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego on a Fulbright Fellowship learning cryo-electron microscopy, and now uses the skills to solve the structures of proteins relevant to human diseases.

“My Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowship at UOW will use these skills to design and synthesise small molecule tool compounds for a protein associated with various human cancers,” Dr Baker said.

“I have always believed that students 'be what they can see', and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to extend my outreach activities to more young researchers, and hopefully inspire them to follow their STEM dreams.

“As someone who came to science after establishing a family, I hope other young women can see that there is more than just one pathway to achieve your aspirations.”

UOW Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Sustainable Futures) Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin congratulated the researchers on being selected for the Superstars of STEM program.

“It’s wonderful to see Dr Moller and Dr Baker recognised for the remarkable work they’re doing in the STEM space. This work can sometimes go unnoticed because it’s complex and hard to grasp, but Dr Moller and Dr Baker exemplify how it can be made accessible,” Senior Professor McLaughlin said.

“They are both superstars and this recognition is well-deserved.”

Science & Technology Australia Deputy CEO and Superstars of STEM Program Manager Dr Sandra Gardam said the program was powerfully changing public perceptions of scientists in the media. 

“We know it’s really hard to be what you can’t see,” she said. “This world-leading program is smashing stereotypes of what a scientist, technologist, engineer or mathematician looks like.” 

“By becoming highly visible role models in the media, these Superstars of STEM are showing our diverse next generations of young people – especially our girls and non-binary kids, regardless of where they live and whatever their background – that STEM is for them.”