About the Guest:

Dr. Supre Ponnappa is a distinguished materials scientist who holds a PhD from the Queensland University of Technology. With a stellar academic background, she secured a gold medal in her engineering master's program and was recognized with the Higher Achiever Award from the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Her doctoral research focused on developing a scalable biosensing platform utilizing polymer materials. Dr. Ponnappa's career trajectory spans across scientific evaluation, industrial research, economic analysis, and policy development with experience in several Australian government agencies. Recently, she won the 2023 Secretary's Award for Excellence in Collaboration and is a 2022-23 Australian Science Policy Fellow. Her deep-seated interest lies in fusing STEM education with policy implementation to foster innovation and economic advancement.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of CALD Voices in STEM, Dr. Chloe Lim hosts Dr. Supre Ponnappa, a seasoned materials scientist who transitioned into the Australian government's policy-making arena. The episode offers an engaging discourse on Dr. Ponnappa's career switch from a thriving academic life to a pivotal role in shaping STEM policies. The narrative uncovers Dr. Ponnappa's inspiring journey, sharing her deep-rooted passion for materials science and her determined pursuit of influencing policy for broader STEM representation and impact.

Dr. Supre Ponnappa shares her unconventional voyage into governmental roles, all while championing the cause for culturally and linguistically diverse women in STEM. Facing the unique challenges of transitioning career paths, Dr. Ponnappa unearthed valuable lessons in the integration of invaluable transferable skills from her PhD into policy-making. Key insights include the necessity of networking and the quest for mentorship in navigating career landscapes. The conversation probes into systemic barriers lingering in senior government roles, as Dr. Ponnappa urges for clear pathways and advocates for CALD engagement strategies to bolster a diverse, forward-thinking public service realm.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of believing in oneself and leveraging transferable skills in transitioning from STEM research to policy-making.
• The challenges faced by CALD women in STEM, emphasizing the need for more defined career pathways and mentorship to ascend into leadership roles.
• Importance of networking and presenting oneself as a versatile candidate open to interdisciplinary roles is underscored as critical in career progression.
• Dr. Ponnappa shares her personal achievements in both academia and governmental roles, illustrating the impactful influence of diverse perspectives in policy development.
• Growing the representation of CALD women in senior positions within the government remains a significant challenge and area of opportunity.

Find out More:

• Connect with Dr. Supre Ponnappa on LinkedIn.

*Season 2 of CALD Voices in STEM was made possible by YWCA Canberra Great Ydeas Small Grants program.*

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