Chaitanya Arora

Women of STEM Scholarship Winner

Award Date:

May 30th, 2024

STEM Interests

Currently studying a Bachelor of Science: Computing and Software Systems at the University of Melbourne

A Bit About Me

I am captivated by the role of technology in addressing global challenges, particularly environmental concerns. My enthusiasm for environmental issues, notably those related to water quality and availability, has opened up some truly remarkable research opportunities. During my high school years, I completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP), which enabled me to delve into research across a range of fascinating subjects. Among these, my favorite was a psychology project where I investigated the impact of operant conditioning on social media addiction. Beyond my passion for STEM, I take pleasure in cooking, playing badminton, enjoying time with family and friends, and exploring new music.

Questions and Answers

Tell us about someone who inspires you and why

How did you become interested in STEM?

What are you most looking forward to about studying STEM at university?

How will the Women of STEM Scholarship assist you?

There are many incredible female leaders in STEM who continue to inspire me. Notably, Ada Lovelace, Katherine Johnson and Adele Goldberg. All of these women have not only contributed greatly to their respective fields, they have simultaneously demonstrated the essence of being a pioneer; an unwavering passion and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and innovation. Their courage and determination inspires me to take risks, be curious and stay positive even if challenges arise.

In general, I love asking questions! Why is the sky blue, why is cooler inside rainforests than outside them, what on earth is daylight savings! This curiosity led to me to start my YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@cherryarora/videos) which quickly became a place to nurture my love of learning and STEM. From here, I have been involved in various research projects specifically in the water chemistry space. This opportunities allowed me to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the scientific process, from conducting literature reviews to carrying out experiments and the publication process. Furthermore, with the rise of artificial intelligence, I have been fascinated by the integration of technology in other STEM areas. In the future, I hope to continue this growing interest and explore the intersection between technology and science.

I am really excited about the breadth of my degree! The Bachelor of Science at UoM offers 40+ majors and subjects from a variety of interdisciplinary areas which allows me to explore how different STEM fields interact. In addition to this flexibility and breadth, I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue pursuing my passions alongside like-minded peers and professionals.

This scholarship provides a unique opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, grow my skill set (scientific and beyond) and overcome financial barriers to further pursue my STEM passions. With this scholarship, I hope to continue attending conferences and working with experts from around the world to continue my research and open up new avenues for exploration.

What job do you hope to pursue after graduating from university?

I hope to pursue a career as a software engineer, specifically working in an area related to AI and HCI (human-computer interactions). However, I am also passionate about ensuring the accessibility of STEM and science research so I would love to also be involved in science communication!