Growing our future: STEM careers inspiring the next generation

In this episode of the Shape Your Future education series from ATSE, a panel of experts and researchers discusses the diverse pathways within plant biotechnology, bioeconomy, and environmental science. Marking National Science Week, the panel explores how engineering, plant science, and ecology converge to solve global challenges—from scaling sustainable aviation biomanufacturing to growing crops on the lunar surface.

Host: Professor Ian O'Hara (Chemical Engineer, Bioeconomy Leader, and ATSE Fellow)

Guests:

• Professor Jenny Mortimer – Professor of Plant Synthetic Biology at the University of Adelaide & Deputy Director of the Waite Research Institute [13:25]
• Lauren Halen – PhD Candidate in Forest Ecology & Microbiology at La Trobe University [24:18]
• Graham Stock (Introduction) – STEM Education Manager at ATSE [00:06]

Key Discussion Points

1. Diverse Career Pathways in BioSTEM

• Professor Ian O'Hara [07:38]: Grew up in regional Queensland driven by a passion for science and math. He transitioned from managing sugar factories in Mackay to completing a PhD focused on transforming agricultural waste streams into high-value bioproducts, biofuels, and materials.
• Professor Jenny Mortimer [15:43]: Raised in a military family with frequent relocations, she began her journey washing glassware at a plant-waste startup. This experience inspired her to pursue postgraduate research in plant cell walls and synthetic biology, leading to international roles in Japan and the US before returning to Australia.
• Lauren Halen [25:00]: Double-majored in ecology and microbiology during her undergraduate studies. After researching the gut microbiome of lyrebirds during her Honours year, she secured an ATSE Elevate scholarship to study soil and leaf litter restoration in wet forest ecosystems.

2. Overcoming Challenges & Systems Thinking

• Systems Perspective [08:39]: Professor Ian O'Hara highlighted chemical engineering as a way to understand complex systems, emphasizing that every action in a process creates ripple effects across the entire value chain.
• Practical Experience over Exam Scores [17:44]: Professor Jenny Mortimer and Lauren Halen both noted that being top of the class isn't a prerequisite for scientific success; hands-on enthusiasm, laboratory curiosity, and fieldwork resilience matter far more.
• Collaborative Team Science [23:14]: Science is far from a solo endeavor. Successful research relies on interdisciplinary teams—combining systems engineers, bioinformaticians, space lawyers, and local landholders [37:56].

3. Innovation in Agriculture & Earth-to-Space Tech

• Off-Earth Farming & Circular Systems [33:02]: Professor Jenny Mortimer explained projects like NASA's LEAF instrument, designed to germinate plants on the Moon's surface inside controlled growth capsules, providing insights for sustainable, low-input agriculture on Earth.
• Forest Ecosystem Restoration [29:15]: Lauren Halen's PhD research tests moving species-rich soil and leaf litter into revegetated pastures to reintroduce essential fungi, bacteria, and seed banks needed to regenerate Australia's tall mountain ash forests.
• Precision Fermentation & Sustainable Aviation [40:08]: The panel highlighted sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) for decarbonizing long-haul flights and precision fermentation to produce proteins without traditional animal agriculture.

Notable Quotes

"Engineering is the way you take our knowledge of science, our knowledge of maths, and create solutions that have impact around the world."

— Professor Ian O'Hara [08:27]

"Science isn't an individual activity—it's not that lone Einstein figure. It's so much a team activity of people."

— Professor Jenny Mortimer [23:44]

"Get hands-on and spend time in nature—that's probably the best experience to learn how plants and ecosystems really work."

— Lauren Halen [37:26]

Useful Links

• STELR Program: ATSE's national STEM education initiative – www.stelr.org.au
• ATSE (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering): www.atse.org.au
• National Science Week: Australia's annual celebration of science and technology – www.science.net.au

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZDm5MdWQgc