An innovative lens to achieve equality

About your research

There is a both a business and social justice case to diversify the engineering workforce so that it better represents the society from which it is drawn. My research examines the pathways and experiences of women international students in engineering to understand how cultural context influences engineering participation. The use of narrative methodology challenges deficit-based approaches that attempt to fix people, and shifts the focus towards systemic change within and beyond higher education. 

What do you think is the link between innovation and inclusion? In which ways do you think innovation can help achieve a gender equal future? 

A key similarity between innovation and inclusion is disrupting business as usual. The ways in which we think and work are historically rooted in systems of inequality. To achieve equality, an innovative lens is required to make radical changes to established practice. Being innovative also prompts us to think big about what we would like to achieve, and question our assumptions about what works. These mindsets enable us to do things that have never been done before. 

Connect with Wenqian on LinkedIn

My research focused on applying novel microbial community analyses to bring new insights into environmental engineering processes. These processes rely heavily on microbial activities and a more comprehensive understanding of the associated microbial communities can be used to develop better process operational strategies.

Under the scope of my research, I have successfully identified key microbial species related to membrane bioreactor fouling, elucidated the potential of cow’s rumen microbes to efficiently convert agricultural waste into valuable products, and demonstrated microbial chiral inversion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during waste and wastewater treatment. Insights gained from this work have important implications for the development of membrane fouling mitigation strategies, the production of renewable chemicals from agricultural was, and the monitoring of the toxicology of chiral compounds in the environment. 

What does innovation mean to you?

To me, innovation does not necessarily mean inventing a completely new thing or way of doing things. To me, it means looking from a new angle or doing things in a better way.  

Connect with Allie on LinkedIn

Dorsa Morshedi Rad 

About your research

My research is centred around the development of a microfluidic device aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of cell-based cancer treatment. By applying mild mechanical forces to the immune cells, this microfluidic device enhances their capacity to receive genetic materials, boosting their ability to detect and specifically target cancer cells. This innovative technology strives to significantly improve disease outcomes and provide accessible treatment options to all patients impacted by this devastating illness.