Rina PM Wong (Fu)
Dr Rina Wong (Fu) is an award‑winning microbiologist, STEM educator, and science communicator whose career spans tertiary teaching, biomedical research, and large‑scale community science outreach. An Australian scientist recognised nationally for excellence in both education and research, she brings a rare combination of scientific rigour, creativity, and deep commitment to accessibility and inclusion in STEM.
A Research Fellow and Knowledge Broker at Curtin University, Dr Rina Wong’s research portfolio includes antimalarial drug discovery, respiratory pathogen control, and novel bioactive compounds. Her work has been published in leading journals such as Malaria Journal, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, and the New England Journal of Medicine. Her CV notes that she has led investigations into “the virucidal and bactericidal effects of a nano‑formulation of Australian Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil against human and bovine respiratory pathogens” (from the 2024 EMCR Symposium award-winning entry), reflecting her ongoing contributions to translational microbiology.
Dr Rina, as she is affectionately known, is equally distinguished as an educator. She is the 2025 STEM Educator of the Year (Tertiary) for Western Australia, winner of the Cheryl Power Early Career Microbiology Educator Award, and recipient of the Bridget Ogilvie Medal for national excellence in parasitology education. Her teaching philosophy blends scientific depth with creativity, interactivity, and accessibility. As her Vice‑Chancellor’s Award citation states, she is recognised “for her enthusiastic and engaging style that has consistently achieved overall student satisfaction rate of >92%… using drama, analogies, cutting‑edge technology and her musical talents to creatively communicate science.” Drawing from her media experience including as a regular guest scientist on two radio stations, she designed and delivered HDR workshops for research candidates to overcome barriers, empowering them to share their work for impact.
Across more than a decade of university teaching, she has coordinated and lectured in haematology, microbiology, immunology, and physiology, pioneering innovations such as virtual microscopy trials, adaptive learning tools, and multimodal assignments. Her CV highlights her leadership in “the first Australian Pilot Trial of McGraw Hill Virtual Labs for Remote Learning in Haematology,” demonstrating her commitment to future‑focused pedagogy.
Beyond academia, Dr Rina is an internationally recognised science communicator and STEAM creator. She has produced award‑winning animated film (MicroToons), authored children’s science books, and delivered more than 250 community STEM sessions. Her outreach work has engaged over 15,000 people, including children with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and neurodiverse learners. As one student testimonial in her CV notes, “the expertise, creativity and the energy and passion with which she teaches… have truly inspired me.”
Dr Rina’s career is defined by her ability to bridge science, education, creativity, and community impact. Whether in the laboratory, lecture theatre, HDR supervision or public arena, she is dedicated to making science engaging, inclusive, and transformative for learners.
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