Macquarie University

Two Macquarie University students have been awarded Merck Indigenous STEM Leadership Scholarships to support their studies in engineering and medicine 👏

Zoe Carroll is a third year Doctor of Medicine student and through the Scholarship will have more capacity to immerse herself in placements.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) student Mia Stevens will use the scholarship to pursue her career in software engineering because she believes technology holds the key to creating a safer, more ethical and connected world.

"Education is key to future success. The Merck Indigenous STEM Leadership Scholarships encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to study and work in STEM related fields,” says Ricketts, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous.

History made 🏆

Macquarie University students Jardyn Orsini and Scott Hulme have won the first-ever 3x3 wheelchair basketball competition at the 2026 UniSport Nationals!

The combined Macquarie University and University of Western Australia team defeated the University of the Sunshine Coast in the final earlier this month.

“I stepped out of my comfort zone to help the team out and had heaps of fun doing it. Met some awesome people whilst making memories along the way,” shares Jardyn.

Meet Libby Eyre, the curator of Macquarie University’s Biology Discovery Centre.

Filled with native Australian animals, corals, skeletons, and even a dinosaur casting, the centre offers a rare opportunity to stand face to face with the natural world.

For Libby, the museum's significance reaches far beyond preservation alone.

“It can be challenging having museums, because, with the fast pace of life, social media, and opinions, people have become more cynical. But I think the place is there to remove people from their screens and to see objects that they can get up close to.

“From there, you can think about our place in our responsibility in protecting the environment,” she says.

Whether visited between lectures or during a quiet moment in the day, the museum offers the chance to sit with questions that can’t be answered by a screen alone.

Learn more: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/how-a-collection-of-preserved-animals-is-reconnecting-us-with-life-through-death

A humpback whale stranded for weeks in Germany became a global livestream spectacle. Then a rescue moved him to sea, where he died days later.

Macquarie University marine scientist, Dr Vanessa Pirotta, writes about the lessons we can learn from Timmy’s story.

Read more: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/2026/may-2026/timmy-the-whale

Congratulations to Macquarie University medical student Monaal Madan who has won the Australian Red Bull Basement competition 👏

Through the Macquarie Incubator Program, Wing has grown from a bold student idea into an award‑winning platform addressing loneliness.

The app is designed to be used in physical spaces such as cafés and university venues, allowing users to discover and connect with others nearby who share similar interests.

“It was exciting to see people resonate with Wing’s mission of helping people form more genuine, in-person connections.

“As a Macquarie student, it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the support from the university ecosystem throughout the journey so far,” he said.

Monaal will attend the Red Bull Basement World Final in San Francisco next month.

“We kept finding large, circular mass graves filled with the bones of people and animals, often carefully arranged around a key person at the centre.”

New research by an international team, including Macquarie University archaeologists, has uncovered 260 huge ancient mass graves in the Sahara desert using satellite aerial imagery.

Read more: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/2026/may-2026/ancient-mass-graves-in-sahara

A new app developed as part of the Macquarie Incubator program is changing the dating game📱

Loosely based on the Netflix dating series Love is Blind, Reev is a uniquely voice-led app that replicates the best elements of speed and blind dating for a new generation.

As early users, Macquarie University students are helping to shape the app.

“Instead of declining people based on assumptions, on Reev I’m listening to their voice and thinking about what we have in common,” said student Kayla Wilson.

Reev will continue testing on campus before rolling out nationally.

Learn more: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/2026/april-2026/is-swiping-right-dead-why-gen-z-is-swapping-tinder-for-talk

We can't wait to see what our new Macquarie University graduates do next 🎓

At 85, Roger Whalan has graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy this week 👏

The grandfather and former businessman first considered returning to study over a decade ago, deciding that if he didn't act then, he might never do it at all.

But the journey wasn’t easy. Midway through his degree, Roger suffered a stroke and lost the ability to speak. Alongside his rehabilitation, reading works of philosophy offered him a way to make sense of his experience.

He chose Macquarie for its strong reputation in philosophy, and crossed the finish line with his two children proudly by his side.

When asked what advice he'd give to future students, Roger's answer was simple: "Don't give up. It can be a hard road, but don't let age stop you."

Congratulations Roger!

Read more of his story: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/dont-give-up-your-study-goals-85-year-old-graduate-shares-a-powerful-lesson-on-resilience

From the Top End of the Northern Territory to Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus, Regina Rogers has had an incredible journey.

The proud Warndarrang woman is the second person to graduate from Wuyagiba Bush Uni, a pathway that delivers cultural and academic courses on-Country.

Regina was inspired to follow in the footsteps of her own parents, respected educators Dr Kay Rogers and Helen Rogers, who co-founded Wuyagiba with the vision of enabling Aboriginal students to access higher education without having to live away from home.

Regina’s father passed away last year, and she carries his lessons with her.

“My dad always told me never to give up,” she says. “He said it doesn’t matter who you are today or how old you are — put your feet down and commit yourself... Education is the key.”

Read her story: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/media-releases/regina-rogers-graduation

A new RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility has opened in our Macquarie University Innovation Precinct 🧬

The facility is the only site in Australia capable of producing a wide range of RNA therapeutics, with applications ranging from vaccines and cancer treatments to pest-control solutions for agriculture.

“This facility will play a vital role in strengthening Australia’s capabilities in this critical field, while also adding to a thriving medical and research precinct here at Macquarie Park,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton.

Read more: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/media-releases/rna-facility-opening

It's one of our favourite times of year 🎓

Congratulations to our newest Macquarie University graduates!

Our new student GP clinic was officially opened today 👏

Macquarie University Doctors and Kids Clinic provides accessible, high‑quality healthcare for students right on campus.

Eligible patients can access bulk-billed general medical services with no out-of-pocket costs.

Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton and Member for Bennelong, Jerome Laxale MP, both spoke to the value of embedding healthcare services within the campus environment to support our student community.

Learn more about the clinic: https://www.mqhealth.org.au/services/find-a-service/macquarie-university-doctors

New Macquarie University research reveals the key policy measures that can support the reduction of sugary drink consumption.

“This study shows how government can help shift family choices towards healthier sugar-free selections, especially for children at greater risk of chronic disease,” says lead author Nyamdavaa Byambadorj.

Read more: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/article/2026/april-2026/policymakers-and-sugary-drink-tax

From Macquarie University to Cambridge 🇬🇧

Doctor of Medicine student Zac Thornton began university with a Bachelor of Clinical Sciences before going on to study postgraduate medicine.

His interest in anatomy led to him receiving the 2025 International Anatomy Immersion Award, which is awarded to one outstanding Australian medical student each year with the aim of providing a global perspective.

The award gave him the opportunity to undertake a three-week preclinical anatomy course at the University of Cambridge and visit The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

“Having the chance to spend time at Cambridge is amazing. It’s where some of the greatest names in the history of science studied and worked: Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin, to name just a few."

Zac is pictured on his trip to Cambridge with Isaac Newton's grafted apple tree!

Autumn is here and it won't be long until campus looks like this 🍂

New Macquarie University-led research has found motor neurone disease deaths have trebled in Australia since the 1980s, with people in regional areas facing even higher mortality rates, suggesting environmental factors could be at play. 800 Australians are expected to die from MND this year.

Read more: https://lighthouse.mq.edu.au/media-releases/2026/march-2026/mnd-in-regional-australia