News: alumni profiles
Dr Chee Seong Kua
Dr Chee Seong Kua is a prosthodontic dentist, a former UN Peacekeeper, and an aquarium plant enthusiast driven by a curiosity about the world and its people. His experience as a dental officer and paramedic during civil conflict in Timor-Leste helped shape his empathy and understanding, which he now applies to his work as a dental practitioner.
Harry Spurrier
Harry never expected he would be a PhD candidate or entrepreneur. He still doesn’t know the other, different career paths life might take him down later. Currently a 2023 Westpac Future Leaders Scholar pursuing a PhD, and a two-time business founder/ entrepreneur, Harry offers some personal advice for others who are still figuring it out.
Professor Andrew Abell and Percy Charles Blewett
Professor Andrew Abell studied a BSc and PhD at the University and is now a Professor in the School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, as well as the Adelaide Node Director Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, and Group Leader of the Abell Group. More than a century ago, in 1908, his grandfather Percy Charles Blewett sat exams offered by the University of Adelaide Public Examinations Board, and went on to become a decorated WWI veteran.
[Read more about Professor Andrew Abell and Percy Charles Blewett ]
Dr Kelli Francis-Staite
Dr Kelli Francis-Staite is a mathematician, researcher and investment manager who is passionate about problem solving and mathematics. Kelli was a Rhodes Scholar, completed a DPhil at Oxford, and is now the Head of Investment Strategy for Hostplus.
Chris Mein
Chris Mein is the Viticulturalist (Vineyard Manager) at Longview Vineyard, where he gets to perfectly blend his interests in science and agriculture. He is constantly evolving his methods to improve vine and soil health with a focus on biodiversity and sustainability.
Emeritus Professor Derek Frewin AO
Emeritus Professor Derek Frewin AO is a former Senior Consultant Physician at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and former Dean of Medicine and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide, as well as a respected pharmacology educator, mentor, researcher and academic leader.
Dr P Raymond Begg AO
Dr P Raymond Begg AO was an Orthodontic pioneer and Australia’s most celebrated dentist. He opened the first orthodontic practice in Adelaide and joined the University of Adelaide as the first lecturer in orthodontics. The P R Begg Museum was officially opened in 2022 to celebrate his work, which revolutionized orthodontic diagnosis and treatment with a new technique for straightening teeth.
Dr Sherry Dezvarei
Dr Sherry Dezvarei has enjoyed a lifelong love for science, especially chemistry. The skills she honed during her PhD in Chemistry assisted her in gaining incredible opportunities to work in the pharmaceutical, wine and cosmetic industries.
Helen Connolly
Helen Connolly was appointed South Australia’s inaugural Commissioner for Children and Young People in 2017. She works to ensure children feel safe, included and protected, and have opportunities to participate in their community while feeling hopeful about their future.
Tobin South
Data scientist alum Tobin South is currently a PhD candidate at MIT on a Fulbright Future Scholarship at the MIT Media Lab. He researches cutting edge security tech for frontier Artificial Intelligence systems and works with some of the largest tech companies on understanding security and privacy for the future of AI.
