Spotlight: Charlotte Goodwin

We recently caught up with Charlotte Goodwin, winner of the 2024 ‘Young Women in Public Affairs award’ for Zonta District 22, and had the opportunity to find out a little more about her and her inspiring adventures in STEM.

Q. Congratulations on winning the Zonta award, can you tell us a little more about why it is important to you?

A. Winning this award at the International Women’s Day breakfast not only allowed me to make connections with UQ staff and Inspiring Australia Ambassadors who attended but it also allowed me to discuss my experience living in a regional area and bring awareness to the STEM disparity in rural and regional areas. Ultimately winning this award gave me a platform to share topics I am particularly passionate about surrounding STEM and rural/regional areas.

Q. You’ve had some great STEM experiences, can you tell us a little about SPARQ-ed?

SPARQ-ed (Students Performing Advanced Research) is a collaboration between UQ, the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in Brisbane, and the Lions Medical Research Foundation. During this program, I had the opportunity to engage in prostate cancer research, working with researchers to test the effects of two drugs. It was an amazing opportunity and the research continues today at TRI. As a student interested in the biomedical field, it really cemented my interest and allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the science. It also allowed me to make some vital connections that will last well into my career. I have also attained skills that will not only help me complete high school but also in university. These included research data processing and graphing, report writing, laboratory, and presentation skills. 

Q. Inspiring! So when do you graduate high school, and do you have any plans for the future?

I graduate Year 12 at the end of 2025. After high school, I hope to go into medicine through the biomedical science pathway. I am very dedicated to my goal, having started a biomedical sciences degree last year through USQ’s University HeadStart program, which was great for me as a regional student as I could complete this mainly externally. Having done this HeadStart program it also made my SPARQ-ed experience more beneficial as I was directly applying the theory I had learnt in the lab. 

Q. And finally, any advice for students in regional areas of Queensland?

My advice for students in regional centres is to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible and take it upon themselves to look for opportunities. Information and opportunity in regional areas can be lacking as there simply isn’t the same communication in these areas. I recommend that students take initiative and show their interest as the opportunities I have found most beneficial are the ones I put myself out there for. Taking initiative will one hundred percent get students in regional areas further, my advice is don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, chase after them. 

Very sound advice, thanks Charlotte and all the best for the future, we look forward to hearing more about your  STEM journey!