They’re ambitious, innovative and highly intelligent – and they’re set to soon graduate from their chosen fields of study and launch careers that will inspire and change the world.
In the coming weeks we will profile 16 female graduates to watch in 2014 who are leading the next generation of female talent in science, medicine, law, business and research. They answer our questions on everything from what they hope to achieve in their careers, what inspires them and the challenges they anticipate they will face in their careers.
Today’s graduate is Dianne Ruka. Between balancing work and a young family, Ruka has also found time to study a PhD in engineering and is currently working on the next generation of biodegradable materials that could be suitable for medical implants or packaging materials.
What degree are you studying and at which university?
PhD Engineering, Monash University
How old are you?
31
How do you hope the results of your thesis will be used?
I really want to have my results used for something practical, so essentially the actual development of biodegradable products that could be composted after they’ve been used. These types of materials could also be used to develop biomedical implants that could degrade in the body.
What are some of your achievements so far?
– 2 papers published in Carbohydrate Polymers
– 2011 Borland Forum winner
– 2010 Summer Monash Materials Engineering Postgraduate Conference Best Speaker
– 2011 Engineering 3 Minute Thesis Finalist
– 2013 Winter Monash Materials Engineering Postgraduate Conference Best Speaker
What do you want to achieve in your career?
I want my research to actually amount to something practical; the development of biodegradable materials. I also want to teach. I taught secondary school Science before I began my PhD and I really love teaching, so I would like to continue in that role, lecturing at a university and/or supervising Honours and PhD students.
What are the biggest challenges you face in trying to reach these goals?
The biggest challenges I face relate to the home/work balance. I have two small children and I find it difficult to devote enough time to them, while making sure I devote enough time to my work. It seems like no matter what, I feel guilty, either guilty that I’m not a good enough mother for putting my kids in childcare when they were so young, or that I’m not working hard enough and being productive enough because I’m busy with my kids.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years time?
Hopefully working as some kind of lecturer/professor or a senior research scientist. I would like to be in Australia, though I haven’t decided if I would like to work overseas for a while first.
Who do you admire most?
It may sound terribly corny, but probably my mother. She raised my three brothers and I, as well as numerous foster kids, with very little help from my father as this was a time when the father was not expected to care for children. She also worked as a primary school teacher for most of my life. She is the most patient, and most organised person I know, always busy, and yet always has time to help out with things if you ask her. She is truly an amazing person.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
My mother is a very practical person and is constantly providing coming out with good advice. A couple of my favourites are, “Life isn’t fair – get used to it”, “There’s nothing wrong with a good cry”, and the one I live most by: “Be prepared. Then go with the flow”. That one works for most situations, and aptly describes how things usually work out – not like you plan them!