ºÚÁÏÍø´óʼÇ

I’m Afsaneh, a Research Associate with the George Institute for Global Health’s Critical Care team and a Postdoctoral Fellow at Western Sydney University.

My journey in medical imaging research began in Iran, where I earned both my Master’s degree and PhD in Medical Physics from Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In 2016, during my PhD, I had the transformative opportunity to conduct my thesis at the University of Mons in Belgium - a year rich with research, publications, and collaborations that shaped my early career.

Driven by a shared passion for early cancer diagnosis, my husband and I moved to Canada in 2017. There, I began my first postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Saskatchewan. Soon after, I made the intentional decision to pause my academic career to raise our son - a deeply fulfilling chapter that allowed me to be present during his formative years.

In 2021, we were granted Australian permanent residency through the Global Talent Program, designed to attract highly skilled professionals. Despite the promise of this pathway and my extensive qualifications, I faced significant challenges in securing employment aligned with my expertise. My skills and experience were often undervalued and navigating the job market as a migrant woman proved to be a real struggle. Nevertheless, I remained persistent and found work in my field, albeit mostly through short-term contracts.

My first connection with JEINA came through Dr. Parisa Glass, its founder, whose guidance on navigating academic job seeking in Australia was invaluable. Mentorship through JEINA continues to be a source of support and inspiration.

Through this journey, I’ve learned the importance of staying determined, speaking up, and trusting that someone will hear, believe, and support you. I’ve also come to appreciate that opportunities often emerge from life’s most challenging moments.

I believe JEINA holds immense potential to uplift women in science from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, especially those with forced migration experiences. Through tailored mentorship, leadership training, and career support - and by fostering inclusive networks that value lived experience - JEINA opens doors for women to rebuild, lead, and contribute meaningfully to Australia’s research and innovation landscape.