LEADING with HONOURS

Leyla Meharg

com BIN e D BAc H elo R OF SCIENCE/ADVANCED STUDIES

The University of Sydney AWARDS University Medal, Graduate Women of NSW’s Jamieson Award and Janet Elspeth Crawford Prize

H ome ToWN Shellharbour, NSW, 100km South of Sydney

ATT e ND e D Smith’s Hill High School

Samantha cronin

BAc H elo R o F S c I e N ce /ADVAN ce D STUDI e S

The University of Sydney AWARDS First class Honours

H ome ToWN Nelson, South Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand

A lm A m AT e R Nelson College for Girls.

A member of the elite Dalyell stream, Samantha Cronin pursued a combined degree in Science and Advanced Studies, specializing in International Relations and Infectious Diseases. Her exceptional knowledge and passion also made her an invaluable tutor and Academic Assistant at Women's Colleg, roles which she took on in both 2021 and 2022.

In her Honours year Sam joined a lab at Westmead where she earned first class Honours for her contribution to finding a novel

Leyla Meharg's groundbreaking work in developing new cultures to facilitate embryo growth for IVF has earned her not only the prestigious University Medal but also the Janet Elspeth Crawford Prize for the highest Honours result for a student at Women’s College. Originally from Shellharbour, Leyla attended the University of Sydney, where she pursued a combined degree in Science and Advanced Studies, with majors in physiology and biology. She was also part of the elite Dalyell stream, named after Women’s alumna Dr Elsie Dalyell, which recognises and supports the brightest minds in the University.

During her studies, Leyla joined Women's College as a tutor in 2021, before securing a Charles Perkins Centre Summer Research Scholarship in 2022. With the generous financial support of the BJ Stevenson Scholarship, she was then able to continue her studies at Women's College.

HIV receptor in human tissue to prevent infection.

During her time at Westmead, Samantha's passion for research grew. Today, she is pursuing her PhD at the University of Sydney with the support of highly competitive Commonwealth RTP funding.

Below: Sam presenting her research into dendric cells and HIV at Sydney Universities Charles Perkins Centre

Despite a busy schedule in the laboratory, Leyla found time to become a valued member of the Sibyl Society (for students in their fourth year and above) and even played for the silver medalwinning Rosebowl soccer team.

At University, Leyla served as a Dalyell Science Mentor and as the elected undergraduate Science Faculty representative to the University’s Academic Board. Her contributions to the community earned her the Graduate Women of NSW’s Jamieson Award, recognising her significant impact and leadership in the field.

Leyla's research and expertise were showcased at the College's annual ‘Three Minute Thesis’ Formal Dinner, where she presented some of her team's results with bovine embryos to College.

Looking to the future, Leyla has embarked on a degree in Medicine at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney.

emma Khoo

BAc H elo R o F PHYSI oTH e RAPY

The University of Sydney

AWARDS First class Honours

H ome ToWN Canberra

ATT e ND e D Canberra Girls Grammar

Currently a graduate physiotherapist at RPA Hospital, Emma Khoo earned first class Honours for her research on the relationship between mental health and injury in women's hockey. During the COVID-19 pandemic she also assisted with the mass vaccination effort at RPA Hospital and will undertake a secondment at Dubbo Base Hospital in 2023.

An enthusiastic member of the Women's community, Emma learned about College through her sister and cousin. During her residency, Emma participated in numerous committees and was part of the Cabaret cast. In her fourth year, she served as a dedicated Resident Assistant for Back Alley and Maples and was elected as the Sibyl Society Representative to the House Committee.

Bridget moloney

BAc H elo R o F ARTS/ADVAN ce D STUDI e S

The University of Sydney

AWARDS First class Honours and an award from the National Council of Women NSW 2022, nominated by the Sydney University Women’s Group.

H ome ToWN Gold Coast

ATT e ND e D Emmanuel College

Bridget Moloney majored in Linguistics and Japanese. Her thesis, earning her first class Honours in Linguistics, examined the relatively unexplored area of invented languages on screen and in literature.

Bridget joined Women's to study Arts and Advanced Studies after a gap year in Japan, supported by a Lions Fellowship. She was a valued resident of College for three years and an affiliate in 2021-2022, serving as the Graduate Librarian. In 2022 Bridget gave the address at the Valedictory Dinner.

In her Honours year Sam joined a lab at Westmead searching for a novel HIV receptor in human tissue to prevent infection

Samantha cronin

BAc H elo R o F S c I e N ce /ADVAN ce D STUDI e S The University of Sydney AWARDS First class Honours and recipient of the BJ Stevenson Scholarship for her residency at College.

H ome ToWN Nelson, South Island of Aotearoa/New Zealand

ATT e ND e D Nelson College for Girls

A member of the elite Dalyell stream, Samantha Cronin pursued a combined degree in Science and Advanced Studies, majoring in International Relations and Infectious Diseases. Her exceptional knowledge and passion also made her an invaluable tutor and Academic Assistant at Women's College, roles which she held in both 2021 and 2022.

In her Honours year, Sam joined a lab at Westmead where she earned first class Honours for her contribution to finding a novel HIV receptor in human tissue to prevent infection.

During her time at Westmead, Samantha's passion for research grew. Today, she is pursuing her PhD at the University of Sydney with the support of highly competitive Commonwealth RTP funding.

Below: Sam presenting her research into dendric cells and HIV at Sydney University's Charles Perkins Centre

estelle Shircore Barker

BAc H elo R o F m USI c (P e RF o R m AN ce ) Conservatorium of Music

AWARDS Honours in Music and recipient of a Women's College Music Scholarship during her residency and the Margot Anthony Grant in 2021 and 2022.

H ome ToWN Apollo Bay, 100km Southwest of Melbourne

ATT e ND e D Apollo Bay College

Estelle moved to Sydney in 2019 to study a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Conservatorium of Music. With the support of a music scholarship in 2020, Estelle joined College in her second year, where her stunning solo performances and generous accompanying made a great contribution to College life. A recipient of the Margot Anthony Grant, Estelle was able to take masterclasses and study in Europe during the mid-year breaks. While working on her Honours thesis on Clara Schumann, Estelle also assisted other College music students as a tutor and Academic Assistant.

Michelle Chen

BAc H elo R o F S c I e N ce /ADVAN ce D STUDI e S

AND BAc H elo R o F l AW

The University of Sydney

AWARDS First class Honours in Pharmacology and recipient of the BJ Stevenson Scholarship and a Sibyl Leadership Grant

H ome ToWN Telopea in Western Sydney

ATT e ND e D James Ruse Agricultural High School

Michelle began her combined Science/ Advanced Studies and Law degrees at the University of Sydney in 2019, in the Dalyell Stream. Michelle heard about Women’s College while President of the Women in Science Society, and joined as a resident in 2022 to complete research on student engagement in Pharmacology, which she gained with first class Honours. In her first year Michelle served in the College's Senior Leadership Group as an Academic Assistant. Now in her penultimate year of law, Michelle is a Resident Assistant at College.