Alinta co-founded a Biotechnology start-up: Aurora MedTech

Get to know our Talent 100 Student Services team member Alinta, who created Aurora MedTech while studying a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) at the University of New South Wales.

ATAR:

94.95

High School:

St Ursula’s College, Kingsgrove

HSC Subjects:

Advanced English, Music I, Japanese Continuers, Biology, Chemistry, Studies of Religion I

High school achievements:

2016 NSW Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement: Community Language Schools (Chinese, Mandarin)

2017 HSC Music Encore Honour Roll: Musicology

1st Place: Japanese Continuers and Music I

2nd Place: Studies of Religion I

3rd Place: Biology

Can you tell us a bit about your high school experience?

When choosing subjects for HSC, I played to my strengths and chose subjects that I knew I would enjoy.

I’m a strong believer that extracurricular activities are super important, not just for career purposes and gaining experience but also for general wellbeing. I was part of my school’s string orchestra and choir, when to Saturday school to learn Mandarin, and also worked part time all throughout high school. I’m a huge workaholic and some weeks I worked 35 hours, while going to school as well.

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Which degree did you pursue in University?

Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) with a double major: Biotechnology and Microbiology at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

How did you decide to get into the field of Biotechnology?

Biotechnology is the application of science and biological processes to provide solutions for everyday problems.

I first got into Biotechnology when I came across the Green Wall at One Central Park – I was really inspired by the way horticulture had been used to solve a number of problems using environmental biotechnology. Since then, I’ve been heavily invested in biotechnology, especially with a microbiology aspect.

Can you tell us a bit about Aurora MedTech?

Aurora MedTech is centred around alleviating the negative stigma and attitudes surrounding sexual health, as well as providing a biotechnology solution to streamline diagnostic procedures within the healthcare landscape.

I co-founded Aurora MedTech with a group of my friends from university, and I was especially interested in getting involved as it was a practical way to apply my theoretical knowledge that I had learn in my courses.

With Aurora MedTech, we have worked with HCF Health Insurance Australia in their HCF Catalyst Program and UNSW to commercialise our technology and work on bringing biotech into the forefront of healthcare innovation.

Currently, I’m working on a science communication project for Aurora MedTech and am the manager and primary content creator for our social media accounts. Through this, I’m hoping to focus on awareness of medical conditions, healthcare statistics, and microbiology through science communication.

What advice would you give other students in regards to creating a start-up?

To create a start-up, you have to be willing to take risks and not be afraid to fail.

If you’re passionate about problem solving and are able to take initiative and drive progress forward on your own accord, then startups are definitely for you!

We have received a great deal of support not only from HCF Health Insurance Australia and UNSW through the UNSW Founders at the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, but also through our peers and network within the greater startup ecosystem.

If you have an idea for a start-up but aren’t sure where to start, I would definitely recommend reaching out to someone with experience in the field – there are so many resources and passionate mentors out there who can point you in the right direction.

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Can you share some of your university achievements?

President of the UNSW Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences Student Society (BABSOC)

UNSW Student Ambassador: Future Students; UNSW Student Ambassador: Faculty of Science, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS)

UNSW Peter Farrell Cup 2019: 2nd Place (Aurora MedTech)

UNSW Founders Pre-Accelerator Showcase 2020: People’s Choice Award (Aurora MedTech)

Can you share some tips for students sitting the HSC this year?

Above all else, your health and wellbeing is the number one priority.

You can’t do your best work if you’re not your best self – don’t be afraid to take breaks when you need to.

What’s something people might not know about you?

My favourite music is 70s folk rock.

Keep up to date with Aurora MedTech by following the website and Instagram pages. Thank you, Alinta!