Tak Kee

Tak is an associate professor in Chemistry and the current Head of Chemistry.  He received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 2003.  After 2.5 years as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, he started his current position at the University of Adelaide as a lecturer in 2006.  His research interests include (1) solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion using light harvesting chemical compounds that mimic naturally occurring compounds, (2) enhancement of solar cell efficiency using electron spin manipulation and (3) light-induced degradation of forever chemicals using catalysts. He currently leads a group of 6 postgraduate students to carry out their research projects.  In addition to research, teaching is his other passion.  He teaches various topics in physical chemistry in courses ranging from 1st year to Honours levels.  He enjoys cooking, beer and wine making when he is not teaching or doing research. 

Sarah Battersby

Sarah is a PhD candidate studying immune system regulation by day, and is a science communicator on @sarahspeaksscience by night! She graduated from a Bachelor of Science (Adv) in 2021 and completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2022 investigating the aftereffects of COVID-19, which she has continued into her PhD. Sarah completed a six-month internship at Animate Your Science where her knowledge and skills for science communication grew. Sarah has won awards for posters and short talks at multiple conferences and amassed over 16,000 followers on social media by posting accessible content on scientific concepts, experiments, techniques and life as a PhD student. 

Vanessa Richmond

Vanessa is a Research and Development Chemist at Jurlique International, a leading manufacturer of natural and biodynamic skincare. With a passion for bridging the gap between scientific innovation and consumer products, Vanessa specialises in formulating natural skincare products, from concept to launch. 
Vanessa graduated from the University of Adelaide earning a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Chemistry, and is driven by the challenge of harnessing the power of natural ingredients to create effective, safe, and sustainable products. Her work involves rigorous testing, quality control, and ensuring that Jurlique's commitment to clean, nature-powered formulas is upheld. Vanessa is excited to share her journey and offer insights into the dynamic world of cosmetic chemistry, hoping to inspire the next generation of scientists to explore the diverse career paths available 

Rochelle Botten

After completing a double Major in Psychology and Physiology, Rochelle undertook Honours in Physiology, and then started working as a research assistant in Radiation Oncology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.  During her 20 years in this department, Rochelle attended many international conferences to present her research on prostate cancer.  In 2020, Rochelle took up a role as a clinical trials coordinator at SAHMRI, and has coordinated several clinical trials investigating cardiovascular disease and COVID vaccinations, as well as the current trial investigating how impacting the human microbiome through antibiotic exposure can affect responses to vaccination. 

Jamie Botten

Following an honours degree in virology, Jamie undertook a PhD in Microbiology, studying fimbriae in the gastrointestinal pathogen, Salmonella enteritidis.  Following a short postdoc Jamie then started in a teaching-only academic position within the then Department of Microbiology & Immunology.  Jamie has continued in this role ever since, developing new courses in both Microbiology and Biomedical Science, and is constantly refining his approaches to learning and teaching.  He has taught thousands of students, and is the recipient of several teaching awards.  He is currently heavily involved in course development for the new Adelaide University, and serves as a mentor for new teaching staff. 

Ellie Leopold

Ellie is an Environmental Scientist at Ennovo, a private environmental consultancy, working as part of the Recycled Organics and Technical Consulting team. In the recycled organics team she provides support across multiple projects including handling quality assurance and control of compost and mulch products, providing technical expertise and resources, and supporting regulatory processes. She is also involved in contaminated site projects, creating plenty of variety in her role.