Fascinated by neuroscience, Chantelle Pereira was immediately drawn to Macquarie University’s Bachelor of Cognitive and Brain Sciences (2023) and enrolled in the first cohort. “The program aligned perfectly with my growing curiosity about the brain, body systems and cognition, and their connection to broader disciplines like linguistics, computer science, philosophy and AI – that multidisciplinary nature was exactly what I was looking for,” she says.

Moving from Melbourne to study, and without a high-school science background, Ms Pereira says the learning curve was steep at first, but the content was so engaging it made the effort worthwhile. “The course was thoughtfully structured to progress from foundational neuroscience concepts to more advanced, research-oriented applications in later years.”

Remembering the academics as “passionate, approachable and deeply committed to student success,” she says many came from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, ranging from physiotherapy to palaeontology, and from across the globe. “This brought unique perspectives into the classroom and made the learning experience inspiring and rewarding.”

Achieving both the MQ Award for Academic Excellence and the 2022 Emotiv Prize for Dux of Cognitive Sciences, as well as a slew of other awards and commendations, Ms Pereira also completed the Global Leadership Program with Merit and volunteered across many mentoring programs, championing educational equity.

“Being involved in these programs shaped my sense of purpose and identity as a leader and advocate,” she says, and now maintains her involvement as a graduate liaison, helping to foster the same sense of connection she experienced at Macquarie, while building on her experience as the inaugural student course representative and co-founder of the Cognitive and Brain Sciences Student Society, which now has over 670 members.

Ms Pereira says one of the most meaningful aspects of her time at Macquarie was being surrounded by a powerhouse of inspiring women in STEM. “I was fortunate to be mentored by passionate and driven scientists and academics, who helped shape my career aspirations, created opportunities for me to thrive, and gave me the confidence to pursue a future in science.

“A pivotal experience was interning with Professor Kerry Sherman on an endometriosis research project, where I discovered my passion for women”s health, which led me to pursue a Master of Chronic Disease Epidemiology focusing on endometriosis research at Yale University.”

Selected as one of only ten Australians awarded the prestigious Quad Fellowship to study in the United States, gaining admission to both Yale University and Johns Hopkins University, Ms Pereira worked with Dr Hugh Taylor, a leading figure in women's health and endometriosis. As part of the fellowship, she also visited the White House, the US Department of State and the Australian Embassy in Washington DC in an advocacy role.

“We met with policymakers, diplomats and senior representatives from the Quad countries to discuss the geopolitical landscape, the Indo-Pacific agenda, and how STEM can influence national and international policy – these discussions underscored the critical role science plays beyond the lab in shaping policy and society.”

But her research at Yale was also an intensely personal decision. As she explains, “Two weeks post-surgery for endometriosis, I arrived in the US alone, in a wheelchair, and 10,000 miles from home, fuelled by purpose to better understand this chronic disease. For nine years, I had navigated unexplained symptoms – chronic pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, migraines, gastrointestinal issues – without answers. During that time, I felt unheard and dismissed by the medical system.

“It was frustrating and isolating to go through countless appointments, scans, surgeries and hospital admissions, only to be met with uncertainty. When I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, I found not only relief but a deep sense of purpose – it lit a fire in me to understand chronic illness more deeply, particularly the neurological and cognitive impacts of endometriosis, which remain under-researched.”

A complex, systemic, chronic disease with no cure, endometriosis affects one in seven women and costs Australia over $9.5 billion annually, yet it receives disproportionately low attention. “It’s a condition shaped not just by biology but also by gender bias, cultural stigma and systemic gaps in healthcare,” says Ms Pereira.

Having now completed her graduate studies at Yale, Ms Pereira is excited to contribute to a future where women's health is no longer overlooked, and where science helps pave the way for earlier diagnoses, better treatments and, ultimately, a better quality of life. “My hope is that one day, others won’t have to wait years for answers,” she says.

Actively seeking opportunities now that she has returned to Australia after realising a long-held dream to live in Italy for a few months, teaching a local family English, Ms Pereira is looking forward to consolidating her experiences gained over the last few years, both at Macquarie and Yale, as well as part of the Westpac Grad Program for Uncommon Minds.

As she explains, “After graduating from Macquarie, before I took up the fellowship at Yale, I worked as a project manager at Westpac. They were actively seeking graduates from diverse academic backgrounds beyond finance and commerce, which allowed me to develop valuable skills in change management, project coordination and cross-team collaboration, skills I now apply in healthcare and research settings."

“It opened my mind to new opportunities and a nuanced understanding of the value of transferable skills –  a lot is possible when we look beyond the normal path,” she says, explaining she has come to realise that careers aren’t linear, and your passion can evolve alongside your lived experience.

“It’s okay to pivot. It’s okay to start over. What matters is staying open to learning, surrounding yourself with people who lift you up, and saying yes to the opportunities that scare you a little. If my journey shows anything, I hope it’s that you can carve your own path, even when it doesn't follow the map.”

It’s a level of tenacity and resilience that was recognised as far back as 2021, when Ms Pereira won the Dr Shirlene Lim Memorial Prize at Macquarie University’s Global Leadership Excellence Awards, which recognises students who have triumphed over adversity. “Many people assume that high achievers must have had smooth journeys, but from my own experience, that's not always true."

“Behind the awards, the internships and the research, I was quietly navigating significant challenges. What I've learned is that no matter what you're going through, there's always something you can get involved in that can bring you growth, joy and meaning.”

No less, she says her experiences have made her more resilient, more grateful and more determined to make a difference. “I've come to believe that adversity doesn't have to define us,” she concludes. “With the right mindset, we can use our challenges as fuel to seize every opportunity, to grow into the best versions of ourselves, and to help others do the same.”

Chantelle Pereira's bio

Chantelle Pereira graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Cognitive and Brain Sciences in 2023, and has since gone on to complete a Master of Science in Public Health from Yale University, where she specialised in chronic disease epidemiology.

Combining a rigorous scientific mindset with a passion for improving health outcomes, particularly for women living with chronic and under-researched conditions such as endometriosis, her work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, epidemiology and public health.

She has co-authored research on endometriosis in peer-reviewed journals and collaborated across disciplines to better understand the biological, social and systemic factors shaping health to reduce global health disparities. As a 2024 Quad Fellow, Ms Pereira became part of a global STEM leadership network focused on advancing science for the public good.

Ms Pereira has held positions at Westpac in Sydney as a graduate PMO analyst and graduate project manager, where she gained firsthand experience in project management and stakeholder engagement.

Currently seeking opportunities to apply her research and analytical skills to make an impact – whether in public health, health-tech, research or policy – Ms Pereira is especially excited to work with mission-driven teams that value curiosity, collaboration and a commitment to health equity.