We have a cultural responsibility to our first & future scientists

Trailblazing Indigenous STEM champion, Founder and CEO of DeadlyScience.

Corey is a Kamilaroi man from Nowra, NSW, and a STEM champion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As a young person, he developed a love of STEM subjects but found little encouragement for Aboriginal people to pursue careers in STEM. In 2018, Corey founded DeadlyScience, a not-for-profit organisation that provides STEM resources to remote schools in Australia and connects young Indigenous people with STEM professionals.

In 2020, Corey was named the NSW Young Australian of the Year and a Human Rights Hero by the Australian Human Rights Commission. In 2021, he received an Australian Museum Eureka Prize and in 2022 a medal of the Order of Australia for service to Indigenous STEM education. This year Corey Tutt has been appointed an Adjunct Associate Professor of the School of Science at Western Sydney University.

Corey edits the “DeadlyScience” Australian Geographic series and has authored two books. The highly awarded “The First Scientists”, followed by “This Book Thinks Ya Deadly.” Corey takes pride in championing First Nations STEM knowledge and building the future generations of the First Scientists.

Zoe is the president of the Deadly Science Board and has worked in Education since 2005 in a variety of teaching and leadership roles working with students, staff and families.

Zoe has worked with programs to foster school-readiness and healthy development, Adult Education, Indigenous Language Program Development as well as curriculum, planning and policy development. Particular areas of experience and interest include First Nations Languages and Revival, Early Years Education and cultural education focussed on Sciences, Technologies, History and Geography through an Indigenous Lens as well as Trauma-Informed Practices.

Zoe has worked, studied and volunteered in various contexts across Australia and internationally.
She is currently working on developing educational programs with different organisations.

Allister is a qualified accountant, commencing his career in 2008. Over the years, he has had the
pleasure of dealing with a wide range of clients, such as small family business, graphic
designers, bookkeepers, carpenters, and electricians to film directors, producers, editors, actors,
performers, writers, radio personalities, micro-brewers, and to high net wealth
individuals/business, SMSF’s and to a public unlisted company. He enjoys educating and mixing
in puns into his interactions with clients. In 2021, Allister joined DeadlyScience in an official
capacity as Director, assisting behind the scenes in the financial management of the
organisation as the CFO. Allister also volunteers as an NSW Justice of the Peace; is a member of
the Institute of Public Accountants, the SMSF Association, and the Institute of Financial
Professionals.

Darren is a proud Gomeroi man. During his career Darren has worked across a number of financial services organisations heading up their Indigenous employment programs. He is currently the Indigenous Engagement Lead at IAG. During his career Darren was also the CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.

For a full career overview visit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-hammond-b1225991/

Taylah is Gangalu mob, but grew up in FNQ in Gordonvale with strong ties to Giangurra. She studied Electrical and Aerospace Engineering (Hons) at Queensland University of Technology, and is currently working as an Aerospace Engineer at Boeing Defence Australia. Taylah is fiercely passionate about Indigenous STEM engagement and volunteers a lot of her time in this space. Taylah has been a guest host on Triple J’s Science Hour with Dr Karl, won a 2021 CSIRO Indigenous STEM Achievement Award, and a 2022 National Science Week ambassador.

For a full career overview visit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylahgriffin/

Matthew is the Commercial Director of KBR’s Government Solutions business for the Asia Pacific region and is responsible for the commercial, contracting, subcontracting, procurement, and supply chain functions. His background and experience includes maritime, aviation, land, training systems and ICT domains. Matthew holds several tertiary qualifications including Master’s level qualifications in Law and Engineering Management. Matthew is admitted to the Supreme Court of the ACT and is a Graduate of the AICD.

For a full career overview visit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewconnors76/

Kurt completed a PHD in Chemistry, and more recently an MBA at Melbourne Business School.  He has spent his entire career in medical research.  Kurt is currently the CEO of Cancer Trials Australia, overseeing the administration of clinical trials in both metropolitan and regional hospitals across the country.  He also sits on the Board of the Australian Physiotherapy Council, chairing their audit and risk committee.  Kurt is also involved in a number of STEM mentorship and education programs and is passionate about developing the next generation of STEM leaders.  

For a full career overview visit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtlackovic/

Brendan Moyle is the Executive Branch Manager for the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs in the ACT Government. He is a Kamilaroi/Gomeroi man with cultural connections throughout northern NSW and southern Queensland. Prior to commencing in his current role, Brendan was the CEO of Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council on the Central Coast of NSW after spending 21 years working in the NSW and then Commonwealth Government. His government roles have seen him lead regulatory and legislative processes, complex policy and program implementation, and stakeholder engagement at local and national levels. He has also been a former Chairperson and Board member of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, SEARMS Aboriginal Corporation, Munjuwa Aboriginal Health and Housing Corporation, and the Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council. He was also an inaugural member of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council Economic Development Advisory Committee.

Mikaela is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman of the Wagadagum tribe of Mabuyag, and has lived and worked in communities across Far North Queensland. Mikaela was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2020, after graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2019 from the Queensland University of Technology. She has expertise in native title, cultural heritage protection and community engagement with First Nations communities. In her current role as an Indigenous Engagement Advisor in the energy and resources sector, Mikaela strengthens connections between First Nations communities and the industry, working towards positive outcomes. She is passionate about advancing STEM education and opportunities that positively impact young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.

Trailblazing Indigenous STEM champion, Founder and CEO of DeadlyScience.

Corey is a Kamilaroi man from Nowra, NSW, and a STEM champion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As a young person, he developed a love of STEM subjects but found little encouragement for Aboriginal people to pursue careers in STEM. In 2018, Corey founded DeadlyScience, a not-for-profit organisation that provides STEM resources to remote schools in Australia and connects young Indigenous people with STEM professionals.

In 2020, Corey was named the NSW Young Australian of the Year and a Human Rights Hero by the Australian Human Rights Commission. In 2021, he received an Australian Museum Eureka Prize and in 2022 a medal of the Order of Australia for service to Indigenous STEM education. This year Corey Tutt has been appointed an Adjunct Associate Professor of the School of Science at Western Sydney University.

Corey edits the “DeadlyScience” Australian Geographic series and has authored two books. The highly awarded “The First Scientists”, followed by “This Book Thinks Ya Deadly.” Corey takes pride in championing First Nations STEM knowledge and building the future generations of the First Scientists.

An experienced and creative administration professional, DJ excels in getting things done efficiently. His expertise extends across various industries like tech, finance, events, and entertainment, showcasing a versatile skill set ensuring top-notch project management within regulated environments.

From office management to orchestrating exciting events and offering strong administrative support, DJ brings diverse experience to DeadlyScience. Beyond his professional life, DJ passionately embraces his family, culture, and volunteer work. Whether helping out in distant locations or within his community, DJ is deeply committed to making a positive impact.

Holly is a Gamilaroi woman from Moree, who moved to Port Macquarie and finished schooling in Sydney during 2020. Holly graduated under an Indigenous scholarship, attended university through IAP for criminal justice, completed numerous certificates & courses whilst working at an Aboriginal Housing organisation. Using her strong passion for learning, working & volunteering, Holly continues to pay it forward to her communities by utilizing her skills & knowledge she obtained throughout the years.

Josh lives on the unceded lands of the Jarowair, Giabal and Western Wakka Wakka people. With an extensive background in working at a systems-level in mainstream primary, secondary and tertiary education Josh brings a wealth of knowledge to DeadlyScience.

More broadly, his work focuses on the intersections of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Western scientific domains, and has collaborated with some of Australia’s leading Indigenous Knowledge scholars to prompt social and cultural change through strategic systems direction, complex facilitation and educational leadership.

Joshua has been appointed by WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) as the Program Manager to drive the WEHI-DeadlyScience partnership, including the Pathways program.

Josh grew up on K/Gamilaroi Country in regional NSW. His favourite places are Boobera Lagoon, a place of significance for all K/Gamilaroi and Gomeroi people, and the culturally significant Bunya Mountains in Southeast QLD.

Kim has spent most of her career in Early Years Education, and Community Services. Growing
up in Wiradjuri country and now residing in Biripi Country. Kim continues to volunteer within
different local Community Organisations. Kim volunteered at a Neighbourhood Center that
provides community connections giving access to support, information, referrals and education
links all community based.

Melissa has worked developing strategy and policy for the last 15 years in roles for the Northern Territory Department of Education, the Ministerial Council of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs, Nova Corporation and more. Melissa has been working to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for more than ten years through education.

Tara has a Bachelor’s degree from UNSW and a Diploma in Commercial Art & Graphic Design. She has been actively involved in the Digital Marketing space for almost a decade. Throughout her career, Tara has held several roles in the field, within a range of corporate settings, as well as NFP’s and charities. Tara has a passion for all things tech and STEM-related and works from her home base on Dharawal Country.

Tom has spent his career in engagement and education of science with particular passion for Indigenous science and knowledge. He has studied Astrophysics, science communication, teaching and the international space industry. Science is important, it is our future and our past, so sharing and learning with as many people as possible is also important.

Vince is a proud Dunghutti/Thunghutti man from the small community of Bellbrook on Mid North Coast of NSW, he has strong family connections to the Anaiwan Nation around Armidale NSW, and the Dharawal Nation located from Coastal Sydney down to the Illawarra. Vince comes to us with a wealth of knowledge when supporting and working in Aboriginal communities, for the past 8 years he has been supporting the education of indigenous students (boys) at high school in Port Macquarie and Tamworth. He has also worked in the government sector with the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care and the Office of the NSW Ombudsman. During his childhood Vince was fortunate to have lived in many different communities across Australia, including Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and his home state of NSW, he still maintains his link to these communities.

For 16+ years, Zac has worked for some of the most  innovative organisations committed to inspiring the search for greatness in young people from all walks of life. Living on Wurundjeri country, Zac now looks to contribute to the work of DeadlyScience.

As a talented facilitator, program manager, social worker, youth worker, trainer, educational content developer and strategist, Zac has led national organisations such as the Community fort Spirit Foundation.

Zac believes that the key to creating innovative and socially minded leaders is the access to quality education and safe learning environments. This belief has driven him to craft countless action-focused learning opportunities for thousands of young Australians, nation-wide.

For over 7 years, Zac has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to recognise the power of education via  programs centered on building wellbeing and resilience for young people in remote communities.