Working at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence (AI), Kiowa Scott-Hurley helps Defence tackle complex technical problems every day.
As a person living with a disability and an Aboriginal woman working in tech, she is also an active role model who challenges traditional assumptions.
Miss Scott-Hurley aims to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders, especially girls and young women, by sharing her story.
She believes that no matter what obstacles someone faces in daily life, they too can become an AI expert, STEM leader or do whatever they set their mind on.
Hailing from Gippsland in regional Victoria, Miss Scott-Hurley completed a cadetship program at CSIRO while studying.
"A mentor of mine who was working in scientific computing at CSIRO encouraged me to apply for the cadetship," she said.
"I picked up Python and C++ programming while working to implement encryption algorithms. I also learned some basic machine learning skills and how to use a supercomputer."
'For the first time, I felt like someone like me belonged at university.'
Miss Scott-Hurley majored in philosophy and pure mathematics, and went on to complete a master's degree in cybersecurity while working at Defence Science and Technology Group. A Dja Dja Wurrung woman, she said that going to university was an eye-opening experience.
"In my first year of university, I met other First Nations students from regional areas and I was amazed to learn they were studying to become doctors, lawyers, robotics engineers, historians," she said.
"For the first time, I felt like someone like me belonged at university."
Alongside other trailblazing women with disabilities, Miss Scott-Hurley was chosen to be featured in the RACI x Rebel Girls project. This collaboration between the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and Rebel Girls shows young people there is a place for everyone in STEM.
"My condition is called POTS - postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome," she said.
"It looks like a cardiovascular illness, but it's actually neurological. My autonomic nervous system forgets to regulate my blood pressure, so I get low blood pressure, and then fast heart rate, and then dizziness and fainting and fatigue."
Miss Scott-Hurley explained that managing her illness means that no two days are the same.
"It's a dynamic illness," she said.
"Sometimes I need time off or accommodations. Sometimes I am 'normal' and just have to wear ugly compression socks to manage symptoms. Luckily, the existence of nurses means you can find cute compression socks if you go looking."
She has a walking stick for those days when her condition makes moving around an effort, and said it is a great conversation-starter.
"Some of the best conversations that I have had about my condition have been at work," Miss Scott-Hurley said. "Someone will stop me and say how much they love my sparkly walking stick, that their mother is looking for one and ask me where I got it."
Miss Scott-Hurley said that she appreciates the flexible working conditions available to Defence employees, as this makes managing her condition easier and enables her to produce her best work.
"Some days I need to work from home. Sometimes I might need time off," she said.
"I'm so fortunate that I work in an area where I get to do work that I love."
