Medical & Health Sciences Careers Connect

The ECU Student Guild is excited to present the Medical & Health Sciences Careers Connect!

This event is a fantastic opportunity to:

• Network with industry professionals in the health sciences sector

• Gain valuable advice for your career journey during or after your studies

• Learn tips on résumé building, LinkedIn profiles, and interview preparation

• Take part in a Q&A session with industry experts

🌟 Open to all new, current, graduating, and recently graduated students — everyone is welcome!

📅 Date: Thursday 23 October
🕒 Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
📍 Location: ECU Joondalup campus, Room 7.103

First Speaker – Mia Tarpey – Senior Occupational Therapist & Founder, Therapy for Kids Perth

Mia Tarpey is a Senior Occupational Therapist and entrepreneur dedicated to making therapy more accessible and empowering individuals across all stages of life.

She founded Therapy for Kids Perth in 2021, growing it from a small paediatric practice in Alfred Cove into a thriving organisation with three multidisciplinary clinics across Perth. Under her leadership, the team has expanded to over 30 allied health professionals providing holistic, family-centred care both in-clinic and through community and telehealth services.

Driven by a vision of lifelong support, Mia went on to establish Therapy Hub, extending services to adults and older adults, and The Therapy Sensory Store, offering high-quality therapeutic and sensory products to families and professionals.

As both clinician and founder, Mia combines her personal insight as a parent with her passion for innovation and community impact, continually shaping spaces where individuals and families can flourish

Second Speaker – Dr Rina Wong (Fu) – Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) at Edith Cowan University (ECU).

Dr Rina Wong is a research-active medical scientist, lecturer, author, and artist who brings science to life through creativity and community engagement. She is a Research Fellow at ECU’s Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences), specialising as a knowledge broker connecting researchers, policy makers, and the wider community.

An award-winning educator recognised by both Curtin University and ECU, Dr Rina has pioneered innovative teaching methods, including the introduction of virtual microscopy with adaptive learning in WA. Her engaging teaching style—combining science with music, art, and storytelling—has earned national recognition, including the Cheryl Power Early Career Microbiology Educator Award and the Bridget Ogilvie Medal for Parasitology Education in 2025.

Her research spans malaria, antimicrobial activity of Australian tea tree oil, and the biomedical potential of crocodile collagen, with publications in leading journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine.

As founder of Engaging Children & Community in Science (ECIS) and creator of the award-winning MicroToons series, Dr Rina champions accessible science communication for all ages and abilities. Through her workshops, media appearances, and creative outreach, she continues to inspire curiosity and inclusivity in science across Western Australia and beyond.

Second Speaker – Ciara McLennan – Pharmacist, Canberra Hospital

Ciara McLennan is a pharmacist with Canberra Hospital, working remotely to manage the hospital formulary and support equitable access to medicines across the ACT. She contributes to national pharmacy policy through the Council of Australian Therapeutic Advisory Groups (CATAG) and plays a key role in reviewing Standard 4: Medication Safety for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Ciara is a contributing author to Pharmacy Forecast Australia 2025, supervises pharmacy research students, and serves on the Curriculum Advisory Panel at the University of Canberra. She is also Vice Chair of the ACT Branch of Advanced Pharmacy Australia, where she continues to advocate for innovation and excellence in the pharmacy profession.

✨ Don’t miss this chance to boost your career, expand your professional network, and learn directly from leaders in the medical and health sciences industry.