MAGNIFY
15th Issue
MARCH 2025
MAGNIFY – ISSUE 15
With the release of the 15th issue of MAGNIFY, we continue our mission to amplify the stories, leadership, and lived experiences of women of colour in STEM. What began as a bold vision has now grown into a thriving community — one that brings together researchers, educators, innovators, entrepreneurs, and future leaders across Australia and beyond. In this issue, we celebrate not only scientific discovery, but the resilience, cultural identity, and purpose that shape the journeys of women transforming the world through STEM.
This edition arrives at a moment when representation, equity, and global collaboration matter more than ever. Across every page, we explore how STEM is evolving through diversity — from breakthrough cancer research to climate-tech entrepreneurship, from digital health leadership to community-centred mentoring. Whether in labs, classrooms, hospitals, engineering sites, or the wider community, these women lead with intellect, compassion, and unwavering determination.Our feature stories illuminate a remarkable spectrum of voices.
In International to Local, Dr. Nitu Syed shares how resilience, cultural values, and motherhood shaped her path from Bangladesh to becoming a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow at RMIT. In Mentor Spotlight, Associate Professor Yu Dong reflects on mentorship, leadership, and the importance of guiding early-career women towards confidence and opportunity.
Entrepreneur and climate-tech founder Raj Bagri charts her bold journey in building Kapture — a company redefining carbon capture through scalable, accessible technology.
We also travel through STEM in unexpected ways — from an exploration of lightning as Earth’s natural particle accelerator, to the personal and community impact of the STEM Sisters Ambassador Program, featuring leaders like Kay Nagendra-Meynard, who champions sustainable infrastructure and equity-driven leadership.
Throughout this issue, one message is clear:
when women of colour lead, communities, industries, and futures are transformed.
To every writer, mentor, ambassador, volunteer, partner, and reader — thank you for shaping MAGNIFY into a platform of knowledge, hope, and collective strength. As we continue empowering diverse voices, may we move forward with courage, creativity, and an unwavering belief that the future of STEM is richer, stronger, and more inclusive because of women like these.
Every story in this issue shines — and together, they light the path ahead.
Editorial
Celebrating our 15th issue of MAGNIFY feels like a powerful milestone in a journey that continues to grow in impact and purpose. What began as a publication dedicated to amplifying women of colour in STEM has evolved into a vibrant platform where stories, ideas, and lived experiences converge to spark inspiration, connection, and change.
Across these editions, we’ve showcased women who are pushing boundaries, redefining leadership, and shaping the direction of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with creativity and courage. Each issue has broadened our understanding of what STEM can look like when diversity is not just included, but centred.
In this 15th edition, we continue that mission with stories that explore the intersection of STEM with culture, innovation, wellbeing, and community.
These pages highlight women who are building ethical technologies, driving sustainability efforts, creating artistic expressions of science, and using their expertise to uplift those around them. Their journeys remind us that STEM is not just technical — it is human, dynamic, and deeply interconnected with the world we live in.
This milestone also reflects the growing reach of MAGNIFY. More young women are seeing themselves represented, more educators and organisations are engaging with our stories, and more readers are finding hope, inspiration, and belonging in these pages. That impact is the true measure of our success.
My deepest gratitude goes to our contributors, partners, and readers. Your support fuels this platform and ensures that the voices of women of colour in STEM continue to shine boldly and unapologetically.
Here’s to the next chapter of MAGNIFY — continuing to celebrate excellence, challenge narratives, and elevate the stories that drive change.
Dr Ruwangi Fernando
STEM Sisters – Founder and Director
MAGNIFY – Editor-in-Chief