The Scholars Podcast - Conversations with Inspiring Leaders

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2013 Pratt Foundation John Monash Scholar, Alex Phelan about her current work in policy and law relating to infectious diseases, her academic journey to Georgetown University and her work in the COVID and Ebola health responses. Alex attended Monash University in Melbourne, Australia where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences in 200...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2020 Wesfarmers John Monash Scholar, Tom Jenkins about his work in reducing green house gases as well as his sudden cardiac arrest and how it has inspired his current work and study. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Business Management and a Master of Professional Engineering with Distinction (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) f...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2017 Roden Cutler NSW John Monash Scholar, Martin Seneviratne about his academic journey, his work with Google and his passion for incorporating new technology into healthcare. Dr Martin Seneviratne has a Masters of Biomedical informatics at the University of Stanford where he worked on the development and implementation of machine learning tools using electroni...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2020 Tim Fischer John Monash Scholar, Dr Matthew Lennon about his academic journey, life at Oxford during the pandemic and work on alzheimers research. Dr Matthew Lennon graduated from medicine at UNSW with the University Medal and Honours in Neuroscience and has gone on to study at Oxford where he hopes to use the knowledge and skills acquired to bring better d...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2019 Commonwealth Bank John Monash Scholar, Alex Makarowsky about his academic journey, life at Oxford during the pandemic and work in sustainable energy modelling. Alex Makarowsky is an analysts and software engineer who aims to solve some of the worlds most pressing problems through mathematical modelling. With an MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific C...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2006 John Monash Scholar, Justin Moore about his career in neurosurgery and the pressures involved, his academic journey and life as a professor as well as his pursuits in medical law. Dr Justin Moore is a renowned professor of neurosurgery having completed a PhD in neuro-genomics at Oxford University. He is currently an A/Professor in neurosurgery at Harvard in...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2017 Roth/Segal John Monash Scholar, Garang Dut about his journey as a refugee to academic, his passion for medicine, shared experiences with other members within Melbourne’s South Sudanese migrant community and how his recent research aims to help similar community through the current COVID pandemic. Dr. Garang Dut resettled in Australia from South Sudan as a r...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2013 BHP John Monash Scholar, Dr. Sarah Bourke about her academic journey from Canberra to Oxford, as well as her passion for Indigenous health and wellbeing and medical anthropology. Sarah is an Aboriginal woman born and raised in Canberra, Australia, and is descended from the Gidja people of Western Australia and the Gamilaroi people on the border of Queenslan...

In this episode, Justin speaks with Chair of the General Sir John Monash Foundation Leadership Academy, Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC about his life as a neurosurgeon and tertiary educator, his role in the new academy, and the importance of leadership in Australian academia. Professor Sir Edward Byrne AC is a leading neuroscientist and clinician and former Monash University vice chancellor. He’s a...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2021 BHP John Monash Scholar, Holli Sargeant about passion for ensuring that artificial intelligence does not entrench discrimination or bias and her journey from the sugarcane fields of Bundaberg QLD to discovering the world through her work in law. Holli Sargeant is a solicitor committed to the lawful design and deployment of emergent technologies, such as art...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2021 Judith Neilson Foundation John Monash Scholar, Emily Ragus about her work in disaster management, the diverse countries and cultures her work has allowed her to experience, and her passion for female empowerment and gender equality. Emily Ragus has dedicated her career to work towards a more equitable future. She has a Bachelor of Nursing from Queensland Un...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2016 Chairman's Circle John Monash Scholar, Abigael Mawby about her upbringing in the Snowy Mountains, her accomplished career as an international lawyer, and her new found passion for environmental law. Abigael is a lawyer who graduated from the University of Queensland with a combined Bachelor of Laws/Arts (First Class Honours). While at university, she comple...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2004 John Monash Scholar, Dr Malek Roosa about her journey to becoming an international lawyer, what it was like studying at Harvard, her career highlights at the world bank, and how she balances work as a mum of five. Danielle completed an LLM at Harvard focused on international law and has a PhD from the University of Sydney. She has lectured on global financi...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2018 John Monash Scholar, Major Johnson about his experience studying in the USA, why he chose a career in the army, and the impact of social media warfare. Nathan is a military officer with a Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales and Master of Science in Military Electrical Systems Engineering from Cranfield University, UK. Nathan served in...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2015 Origin Foundation John Monash Scholar, Jack Muir about his PhD studies in the field of tomography at Caltech University in the US and how his studies in the field help scientists understand more about the Earth's mantel and core, including seismic activity. Jack has a Bachelor of Philosophy (Science) with 1st Class Honours from the ANU. He was a member of t...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2021 Australian Universities' John Monash Scholar, Dr Brett Shannon about his PhD studies in the field of occupational injuries and prevention strategies in Indigenous and vulnerable populations at the University of Illinois. Brett Shannon is an Occupational and Environmental Registrar (Royal Australasian College of Physicians), receiving his Bachelor of Medicin...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2005 John Monash Scholar, Andrew Hudson about his influential work at the helm of Crisis Action in New York, an organisation that works to protect civilians from armed conflict. Andrew is currently International Director for the Center for Policy Development in Melbourne. Prior to that he lived in New York City for 16 years where he was CEO of Crisis Action, bui...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2018 Origin Foundation John Monash Scholar, Marianne Haines about her research into turning photosynthetic microorganisms, like algae and bacteria, into fuel like methane through a more efficient process. Marianne has a Bachelor of Biological Science majoring in Microbiology and Biochemistry from La Trobe University with Honours in Microbiology, in which she was...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2018 Roth/Segal John Monash Scholar, Ryan Carters about his experience transitioning from professional cricket to public policy, the success of Batting for Change, and what areas of public policy he is most passionate about. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics and politics from the University of Sydney and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2019 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar, Zoe Bush about h​er journey from working in criminal justice ​to climate litigation, how attitudes to climate change have changed throughout her career, and how boards are now tackling this issue. Zoe has a Master of Laws from Columbia University, where she worked for Professors Kimberlé Crenshaw and Susan Sturm, and a Bach...

In this episode, Justin speaks with chemical engineer and 2017 Woodside John Monash Scholar, Dr Brett Parkinson about his passion for sustainability and innovation in engineering, the incredible work of C-Zero, and the most rewarding part of working in the sustainable energy sector. Brett has a Bachelors and Masters of Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Queensland, and a PhD...

In this episode Justin speaks with 2018 Zelman Cowen John Monash Scholar, Amy Burton about how she came to launch her law firm Everyday Justice, the cases that have shaped her career, what it was like studying at Georgetown University, and the most rewarding and challenging parts of being a lawyer. Amy has a Master of Laws from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and Bachelo...

​In this episode, Justin speaks with Chief Executive Officer of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Annemarie Rolls about what it's like leading one of Australia's most prestigious foundations, a deep dive into the judging process for the scholarships, and how education can change peoples' lives. Annemarie has been CEO of the Foundation since the start of 2017, and is an experienced not-for-pr...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2014 NSW Premier’s John Monash Scholar, May Samali about how she decided on a career path, the journey from lawyer to CEO to professional coach, her passion for leadership and entrepreneurship, and what's next for her now that she's arrived back in Australia. As a trained leadership and personal coach, May works with executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals...

In this episode, Justin speaks with 2010 John Monash Scholar, Dr Joe Gattas about how he became fascinated with building, what he does as an origami engineer, what it was like studying at Oxford University, and his work at the Folded Structures Lab, including the lab's pivot to creating origami inspired face masks during the pandemic. Joe is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland. He le...