Could have been better

You know the adage that people need to hear a message nine times before it resonates? [For some husbands, it’s more like 900.] Our Honours Information Session last Monday could have been better attended. We’re asking everyone who takes on students to plant the honours seed many times throughout the year, not just for the month preceding the information session. Dropping it into the conversation, talking about successful honours graduates, mentioning topics that would be fruitful honours projects – that kind of thing – would be greatly appreciated. 

You Can Do It All But Not At The Same Time

By Jayashri Maya with assistance from Dr Sonali Shah

The Women in Science, Discovery and Medicine Committee hosted an event where Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM encouraged fellow STEM community members to broaden their horizons. Sharing her experience, Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM inspired WiSDoM attendees with practical advice. 

From being a Geriatric Oncologist at Monash Health, to writing a column for The Guardian, writing a book, and taking care of her three children, Dr Srivastava challenges herself constantly. By being encouraged by her mentor to start writing, Dr Ranjana Srivastava says it was her first Fulbright Scholarship that kick-started her career in completely new territory, leading her to focus on connecting with her readers and improving health literacy. 

Being particularly interested in psychology and time management, the busy doctor, author, mother and columnist mentioned the constant tension she feels trying to balance all her roles and how balance is critical to a long and healthy life.  

Dr Srivastava advises her fellow STEM community to employ stories and memories when communicating, as it gives an ‘in’ to a reader’s attention. By listening to one’s audience and envisioning them as eager intellectuals, Dr Srivastava revealed the importance of managing the growing divide between science and the public, urging the medical community to bridge the gap. 

Hailing from India, Dr Ranjana looks forward to changing the landscape of poverty and medical expenditure by educating doctors in meaningful public health policies.