Jake's love of astronomy started from a young age. As a boy, he would wake his dad up early in the morning to wave at the night sky, inspired by one of his heros, Australian astronaut Andrew Thomas. This childhood fascination with space never faded. After completing his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at UniSQ, Jake is making strides in science communication and space research at , the National Science and Technology Centre.
During his PhD studies, Jake was awarded a Fulbright scholarship, allowing him to study in the United States for seven months. His research, which examined the composition of around 50,000 stars and their planets, was so groundbreaking that he was invited to present his findings at Yale and MIT. The database he created continues to be a valuable resource for scientists worldwide.
Jake's dedication and passion were recognised when he was named the 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland's Young Alumnus of the Year. This award highlights his remarkable contributions to science outreach and his impactful work at Questacon. Jake's role involves using data to enhance science communication, helping young Australians engage with STEM in meaningful ways. He believes that science skills enable people to view the world critically and solve problems creatively.
It is a career that young Jake could never have imagined. He was the first person in his family to graduate high school and go on to study higher education.
“精东传媒app has given me opportunities that I never thought possible,” he said.
“If I was to tell little five-year-old Jake all of this, I don’t think he’d believe it.
“I’m really honoured to be nominated, and to win the award. 精东传媒app of Southern Queensland provided me with a space to flourish. It’s something I will forever cherish.”
