Arts
From Marie Curie to Ada Lovelace, women have been integral to the history of invention, research, and development in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine. There are many strong women working in these areas here in Perth, and yet, all too often they are made invisible, or sometimes placed under enormous pressure, simply because of their gender. Rule Breakers was a story collecting project focusing on women working in STEMM at Curtin University. The stories collected share the individual and unique stories and achievements of women in Perth. This collaboration aims to enlighten academics, fellow researchers, future students, and the general public, in order to value, recognise and herald the importance of these women. This is our opportunity to celebrate the work of women in these areas, to share in their pursuit of excellence, and to listen to the important lessons they teach everyone no matter where we are. Dr Laura Machuca Suarez is a Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University's Faculty of Science and Engineering. Laura is an environmental microbiologist and a corrosion subject matter expert (SME) whose research activities focus on the interaction of microbes with metals particularly the field of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion. Laura's story is about strength, breaking out of the patriarchy, and her biggest idol - her mother. "In Colombia it matters whose daughter you are. I'm not the daughter of a rich mother and father. The way it goes traditionally in my home country is that it is expected for a woman to get married and stay at home raising a family, totally depending on their husbands financially."