Curious about the career paths a physics degree can open up?
Join us for an engaging seminar featuring a panel of accomplished physicists working across academia, industry, research, and healthcare. Whether you are thinking about a degree in physics or already studying, this is a chance to explore what's possible.

Why attend?

• Discover real-world career opportunities in academia, healthcare, industry, and government
• Gain practical tips for building a successful physics career
• Hear personal stories and insights from leading experts
• Network with fellow students and professionals
• Participate in a live Q&A with our panel

Event details:

Date: Wednesday, 6 August, 2025
Time: 5.00 - 6.30 PM
Location: SMART Building 6, room 210, Wollongong Campus
Online: Join via Zoom

Zoom details:

Zoom link: https://uow-au.zoom.us/my/susannag?omn=84622254609
Meeting ID: 798 238 1116
Passcode: 627393

Dr Alessandra Malaoda
Medical physicst, 
Nepean Hospital

With over a decade of expertise in medical physics, Alessandra Malaroda is currently contributing as an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong since 2023 and as a Medical Physicist at Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District since 2021. Focused on advancing research and application in nuclear medicine physics and biophysics, with competencies spanning dosimetry and quantitation and physics education. Dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration within academic and healthcare settings, aligning with organisational missions to improve patient outcomes and scientific understanding.

Dr AJ Mitchell
Nuclear physicist, 
ANU

Dr AJ Mitchell is a nuclear physicist at the Australian National University. He grew up in Northern Ireland and attended Queen’s University Belfast, where he studied applied mathematics and physics. Guided by several summer internships, he moved to England and completed a PhD in Nuclear Physics at the University of Manchester. After graduation, AJ moved to the US to take up a two-year postdoctoral position at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He spent much of this time doing experiments at Argonne National Laboratory. A well-timed opportunity brought him to Australia in 2015 as a postdoc in the Nuclear Structure Research group at ANU, where he now holds a tenure-track faculty position. AJ is a Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, Chair of the Australian Institute of Physics Nuclear and Particle Physics Group, and insists that Canberra is a great place to live.

Molly Kirkpatrick
PhD candidate UOW, 
CSIRO Research Fellow

Molly Kirkpatrick is a Postdoctoral Fellow at CSIRO, where she works in the X-ray Technologies Group. Her research focuses on turning advanced X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) techniques into practical tools — from improving mining technology here on Earth to developing instruments for use in space. During her PhD, Molly created a new method for performing XRF measurements and even built a miniature instrument designed to do this kind of analysis on the Moon.

Walter Valencia
Diagnostic Imaging Engineer, 
GE

Walter Valencia started his early studies in 2011 in Physics Engineering and Statistics in Universidad Nacional de Colombia where apart from his studies was working as a technical assistant in the laboratory of Electricity and Magnetism in the Campus of Medellin. Then, in 2019 Walter had the opportunity to continue with his studies in Australia in the University of Wollongong as student of Medical and Radiation Physics Bachelor Degree, where he graduated. He then got a position as technical officer in PET development in the Brain and Mind Centre in the University of Sydney and worked as a Diagnostic Imaging Engineer at GE.