Rina Wong (Fu)

Dr. Rina Wong (Fu) is a research fellow, medical scientist, author, and artist dedicated to creatively sharing science through multimodal engagement.
She works part-time as a Knowledge Broker at the Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Health Sciences at Curtin University.

A lecturer, laboratory instructor and unit coordinator teaching medical science, Rina uses original songs, interactive workshops, animations, videos, and innovative technology to inspire students in Microbiology and Haematology. She has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Bridge Ogilvie Medal by The Australian Society for Parasitology. The medal recognises her outstanding contributions to parasitology education at both tertiary and community levels through developing accessible STEM resources and engaging interactive workshops. Her teaching excellence and innovation was also recognised by the Australian Society for Microbiology, being the recipient of the 2025 Cherly Power Early Career Microbiology Educator Award.

Rina's doctoral research on malaria drug resistance in Papua New Guinea earned her the prestigious ASP Sprent Medal. After attaining her Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in 2022, she re-entered research at Curtin Medical Research Institute & Curtin Medical School, exploring topics like malaria, adult stem cells, Australian tea tree, and COVID-19.

A prolific science communicator, Dr Rina, as she is affectionately known by the broader community, has engaged over 15,000 young people through her debut science picture storybook My Mad Scientist Mummy, public workshops, and school talks. Her national science week project MicroToons-Pimple, co-produced with autistic artists, won 8 international awards and has been screened at over 30 global film festivals. Rina features fortnightly as a guest scientist on ABC Radio Great Southern and 98.5 Sonshine FM.

Peer-recognised for her creative teaching innovations, Rina contributes regularly at T & L forums. Rina frequents as an invited speaker and keynote including the SAE/ACAP graduation ceremony for professionals from the creative media industry at the Heath Ledger State Theatre and EduCon by the Australian Society for Microbiology in Adelaide. Rina seamlessly integrates community engagement, research, and teaching to inspire learning beyond the classroom.