The 2025 International Day of Women and Girls in STEM (IDWGS) theme is ‘Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science’.
With this in mind, we spoke to scientist Wenwen Lei and trade measurement officer Belinda Warner about their experiences of starting a career in STEM and what they love about working at NMI.
Wenwen Lei
Wenwen is a scientist in NMI’s Physical Metrology Branch, working in mechanical, thermal and optical standards.
What do you love about working in STEM?
I am drawn to the beauty of nature, the regularity of scientific theories and experiments, the challenge of solving complex problems and the allure of exploring the unknown. Science is not only a way to explore nature, but also a powerful tool to address real-life problems in healthcare, food, environment, communications and other fields. I feel proud that my career contributes to society and improves people’s lives.
What’s your role at NMI?
I am a scientist in temperature and humidity standards. My role involves maintaining Australia’s only humidity primary generator, providing reference standards for industries and laboratories, and ensuring accurate temperature and humidity measurements for industry. Additionally, I contribute to developing new standards and measurement methods to expand our current services and better meet evolving industry demands.
How did you start your career in STEM?
My journey in STEM began in high school, where I had to choose between science and humanities disciplines before preparing for university entrance exams in China. I chose science because I was good at chemistry and biology.
Tell us about your career journey to date?
After high school, I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Packaging Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Material Science. My passion for physics emerged during my master’s studies because my supervisor encouraged me to explore various experiments in the lab. That was the first time I was able to visually experience the beauty of nature - the crystal structure, surface properties of materials, and element concentration differences due to parameter changes during experiments. The hands-on process brought physics to life for me – it became vivid and fascinating rather than plain words in a notebook.
This experience inspired me to pursue a PhD. After graduating with a PhD from the University of Sydney, I worked as a postdoc at the university for 3 years. My research included a collaboration with a leading medical device company from Australia to investigate moisture micro- and nano-fluidics. I also investigated moisture in vacuum-insulated glazing units, which contributes to reducing environmental heat loss from buildings.
After completing these projects, I began working at NMI on humidity standards. This role allows me to further my expertise and make impactful contributions to the field of metrology.
Belinda Warner
Belinda is a senior trade measurement officer in NMI’s Legal Metrology Branch.
What do you love about working in STEM?
It helps us understand our world around us more clearly and makes our lives better. I enjoy using STEM in my job to ensure that all traders are conducting their business on a level playing field, with both the consumer and the business being the benefactors of fair trading.
What’s your role at NMI?
My position at NMI is a senior trade measurement officer. In my role I ensure correct measure in the marketplace by enforcing trade measurement law in places such as butcher shops, fuel stations, weighbridges and pubs. Anywhere a trader applies a cost or charge according to a measurement (for example weight, volume or length), they are required to ensure that measurement has been performed correctly and in line with trade measurement legislation.
How did you start your career in STEM?
My finding this career path was driven by discontent in my previous career in law enforcement. I knew there was something more for me – the trade measurement officer position was advertised at just the right time, prompting me to take a leap of faith.
Tell us about your career journey to date?
I feel as though the jobs and careers I have had up to this point have led me to the trade measurement officer role. Before I worked at NMI, I was a schoolteacher, a soldier in the Australian Army, a flight attendant and a customs officer. I also spent many years serving my community in the Scouts Association. Many of the skills and attributes that I acquired in these roles have assisted me at NMI.
I wish my science teachers could see me now! I failed science miserably at school and dropped it as a subject. Later in life I have developed more of an appreciation of science, I am far more interested in how STEM improves our lives and am honoured to play a role in it now.
Find your STEM career at NMI
NMI is committed to inclusion and diversity. Our ambition is to cultivate a workplace culture of belonging, where everyone is valued and respected for their contribution.
We offer opportunities to be at the forefront of innovation and play an important role in ensuring Australia’s sustainable economic prosperity.
You can access a STEM career at NMI through a range of avenues including postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational student work experience and graduate development programs. Through in-house training you can also become a trade measurement officer – not all STEM roles require a lab coat!