Biography

Award-winning Graduate Researcher and Science Communicator. My research focuses on understanding the underlying factors of thunderstorm asthma and developing better ways to monitor airborne allergens like pollen & fungal spores.

I have 5+ years experience in Science Communication and Outreach:
•I have presented at conferences in Australia & New Zealand and held seminars for scientists, students, & the general public.
•I have taken part in various STEM outreach events for secondary & tertiary students that include welcome inductions, university tours, career workshops, and open days.
•I have been interviewed by several news organisations like SBS News, Guardian Australia, and ABC Science as an expert source on allergy and asthma. I have also done live interviews for radio programs like 3RRRFM's Einstein A Go-Go.
•I have won multiple awards for science communication and outreach. I am a National Finalist for FameLab Australia 2024. In 2023, I was awarded Runner Up & People's Choice at the Deakin University "Three Minute Thesis" Grand Final. In 2019, I was awarded the Deakin Hallmark for Communication Excellence in Biomedical Science and the Students Helping Students Award for Emerging Mentor.

I am passionate about learning different ways to communicate science. I was a guest researcher on the "Peer Revue" comedy show and I performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as part of the "Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition" show. I also enjoy using art to communicate scientific concepts and have designed & produced several illustrated graphics for presentations and peer-reviewed papers.

Currently, I work as a Research Scientist & Site Manager for Melbourne Pollen and Deakin AIRwatch. My team and I are responsible for providing critical health data to the Bureau of Meteorology and Victorian Department of Health for ongoing thunderstorm asthma research. I also work as a Teaching Academic, leading Biomedical students through practical lab classes, and a Student Ambassador for the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment for Deakin University.

In 2023, I published my first original research paper on temporal analysis from the Melbourne 2016 thunderstorm asthma event. I have published 3 literature reviews, one of which was awarded the 2022 IJMS Top Downloaded Paper. I was also one of 14 PhD candidates across Australia accepted into the 2023 Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate "PhD Thinkers Program" at the University of South Australia.

Kira identifies as neurodiverse.

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