About Melissa
Melissa is an Honours physicist at the Australian National University, completing an Honours in nuclear physics. Her research spans low-energy nuclear reactions, machine learning in cosmology, and accelerator mass spectrometry. Melissa has tutored national STEM programs, taught first-year physics, and led the largest STEM-focused society at ANU, driven by the belief that access to an excellent science education is both a privilege and a responsibility. She wishes to pursue a PhD in experimental nuclear astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh, investigating nuclear reactions that govern stellar evolution and underpin applications from fusion energy to cancer treatment. Her goal is to contribute to Australia’s sovereign nuclear capability, as she sees that the nation urgently needs leaders who can bridge research, policy and public engagement.
