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About

Dr Kira Hughes is an award-winning Science Communicator passionate about making science fun & accessible and helping other researchers learn how to effectively communicate to diverse audiences. ​She has brought her scientific expertise to media platforms like the Today Show, 7News, ABC Radio, SBS News, Herald Sun, The Conversation, Guardian Australia, and more!​

 

From comedy shows to TEDx talks, Kira has done it all! She has run workshops & coaching sessions for students, researchers, and academics on effective science communication. She's facilitated several outreach ventures that encourage students, especially young girls, to study and pursue careers in STEM. Additionally, Kira has written content for publishers, ranging from book reviews to news columns, and contributed to science-focused content for social media & mainstream media campaigns reaching over 33 million people!

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Over the years, Kira has applied her science communication skillset to a multitude of projects, including:

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Due to her outstanding work in science communication, she was named as one of the 60 Superstars of STEM for 2025-2026 by Science & Technology Australia. In addition, she is an advocate for underrepresented groups in research and hopes to inspire more young girls to pursue careers in STEM.​​​

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Early Life

Kira's journey into science began at a young age. From astronomy to zoology, she spent her formative years watching documentaries and reading every encyclopedia imaginable. One of Kira's most vivid memories from childhood was learning about a show called "The Big Bang Theory" and being disappointed when she found out it wasn't actually about space!

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​In High School, Kira continued pursuing science in parallel to a new interest: writing! While she did not realise it at the time, these topics complimented one another immensely. She used this skillset to win notable awards during these formative years including Runner-Up for the Melbourne Writers Festival Competition, State Finalist for the Australian Brain Bee Challenge, and even People's Choice at her school's inaugural Science Fair for her first science writing piece.​

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Kira's passion for science communication truly emerged during her undergraduate studies at Deakin University when she became a Peer Mentor. By using her communication skills to explain complex scientific topics, she helped students improve their understanding of difficult content (and even their grades!). Her achievements in this role earned her the Students Helping Students Award for Emerging Mentor and the Deakin Hallmark for Communication Excellence in Biomedical Science, ultimately propelling her toward a career in Science Communication.

Career

As both a hay fever sufferer and scientist, Kira is dedicated to tackling the issue of thunderstorm asthma. While completing her PhD at Deakin University within the NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), her research focused on understanding the environmental triggers of asthma, identifying the impact of climate change on hay fever & asthma, and developing better ways to monitor pollen. Most notably, Kira worked on an innovative sensor the size of a gold coin that could detect pollen in less than one hour! She hopes her research will help uncover how thunderstorm asthma events unfold and improve early warning systems. Kira maintains an Honorary Fellow appointment at Deakin University to continue her important research work on thunderstorm asthma.

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Kira worked for 5 years as a Research Scientist & Site Manager for Deakin AIRwatch, a research facility based out of Deakin University. She and her team provided data to the Bureau of Meteorology and Victorian Department of Health for pollen forecasting services and ongoing thunderstorm asthma research. In addition, she has previously worked in teaching, student outreach, academic support, and peer mentoring.​

Currently, Kira works as a Research Grants Officer for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, where she helps scientists & clinicians effectively communicate their work to secure funding for important cancer research.

Education

2021-2025

2020-2021

Doctor of Philosophy, Biology & Chemistry

Deakin University

Bachelor of Science (Honours), Biology

Deakin University

2017-2019

Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Molecular Life Sciences

Deakin University

Awards

2025-2026

2024

Superstar of STEM

Science & Technology Australia

VIC Runner-Up and National Finalist

FameLab Australia

2024

Coltman Prize

Deakin University

2024

Visualise Your Thesis People's Choice

Deakin University

2023

Three Minute Thesis Runner-Up and People's Choice

Deakin University

2023

2023

2020

Bursa Award for Best Limerick

Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology

Deakin Hallmark for Communication Excellence in Biomedical Science

Deakin University

Kathleen Fitzpatrick ARC Laureate Fellowship PhD Thinkers Alumni

University of South Australia

2019

Students Helping Students Emerging Mentor Award

Deakin University

Science Engagement

2026

  • Talks on Tuesdays "The Science Behind Thunderstorm Asthma" — Keynote Speaker

  • Divergent in STEMM "Science Communicator Dr Kira Hughes: Making Science Accessible" — Interview

  • Deakin University "Where Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Could Lead You" — Keynote Speaker

  • Peter Mac Work Experience "Intro to Science Communication" — Invited Speaker

  • STEMpals Virtual Class "Using Machines and Microscopes to Fight Asthma" — Invited Talk

  • Careers with STEM "The life-changing power of university open days" — Interview

  • QUT "Explore your Career Potential" — Guest Panellist

  • 3RRRFM Einstein A Go-Go — Live Interview

  • Monash University "The Art of Science Communication" — Keynote Speaker

  • Peter Mac Research Support Coorperative "From Data to Story: Structuring Scientific Presentations" — Guest Panellist

  • Pint of Science Australia 2026 "The Invisible Stuff That Shapes Our World"; "How Life Is Built, Seen, and Saved"; "Healing, Hacking, and Helping the Human Body" — MC

  • WOMEESA "Superstars of STEM Workshop" — Guest Panellist

  • Deakin University Professional Practice "Career Pathway & Workplace” — Guest Panellist

  • Peter Mac Postdoc Society "Introduction to Grants Workshop" — Guest Panellist

2025

  • In2Science Awards Night — Keynote Speaker

  • Australian Book Reviews (The Best Australian Science Writing 2025) "Yes, worm blood! Literary journeys across the planet" — Invited Reviewer

  • TEDxDeakin Uni Melbourne "Thunderstorm Asthma: it's a thing" — Invited Speaker

  • Let's Talk SciComm Podcast "Interview with early career scientist and science communicator Dr Kira Hughes" — Interview

  • Seven News "Australia braces for worst pollen season" — Interview

  • Today Show “Hay fever season is officially here” — Live Interview

  • Geelong Advertiser “Pollen packs a punch: Parents warned kids’ symptoms mistaken for colds” — Interview

  • The Australian “Common mistake parents make could increase chance of hay fever in children” — Interview

  • Ourschool x Peter Mac Industry Insight Event — Panellist

  • ABC Radio South-East NSW “Thunderstorm asthma” — Interview

  • ABC Radio Lab Notes “Why your hay fever will get worse with climate change” — Interview

  • Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Wangaratta “Learning about Thunderstorm Asthma” — Interview

  • National Science Week in Beechworth “Thunderstorm Asthma” — Keynote Speaker

  • ABC Radio “Breakfast Show: Wodonga” — Interview, 2025

  • Deakin University “Women in STEM: Practice your Pitch” — Keynote Speaker and Panellist

  • Nerd Nite Melbourne “Weighing the Air to Fight Asthma” — Invited Speaker

  • Mount Lilydale Mercy College “Empowering Women Conference” — Invited Speaker and Panellist

  • Ecolinc “Women in STEM: Speed Dating” — Panellist

  • Greenauve “Pollen allergies on the rise due to climate change” — Interview

  • Deakin University “Stories of Wonder” — Interview

  • ABC Radio “The Science Show: Adelaide” — Interview

  • Pint of Science “The First Real-Time Sensor for Thunderstorm Asthma” — Speaker

  • Deakin University Biomedical Society “Careers Night” — Panellist

  • Deakin University “Early Career Researcher Media Panel” — Panellist

  • In2Science Mentor Leaders Program — Mentor

  • Deakin University “3MT/VYT Launch Event” — Panellist

  • Deakin University “SEBE Mentor Alumni” — Interview

  • Guardian Australia "Suffer from asthma or allergies? A tiny gold disc could save your life" — Interview & Contributor

2024

  • The Conversation "Is thunderstorm asthma becoming more common?" – Author & Producer

  • Guardian Australia "There’s a buzz online about local honey being the ‘ultimate hay fever hack’ – but does it actually help?" – Interview & Contributor

  • JOY Radio "Science Queeries: More science coming a-choo" – Interview, 2024

  • Herald Sun “Got hayfever? Here’s why you’re in for a really rough summer” – Interview, 2024

  • Deakin University SENS HDR Symposium "Succeeding in Science Communication" – Keynote Speaker

  • CSB Conference "Development of real-time biosensors to detect airborne allergens" – Speaker

  • Science Comedy Gameshow: True or False – Invited Speaker

  • Melbourne Fringe "Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition" – Invited Speaker

  • ABC Radio PM "Thunderstorm asthma season begins in Victoria" – Interview

  • Deakin University Medical Research Student Association “Academia, Industry and Beyond: Navigating Your Career Journey Post Graduate Research Studies” – Invited Speaker

  • Deakin University Biomedical Society “Careers and Cocktails” – Invited Speaker

  • STEM Sisters Soapbox Science Melbourne – Speaker

  • this. "Breathe easy: Melbourne’s thunderstorm asthma breakthrough" – Interview

  • 3RRRFM Einstein A Go-Go “Science is Everywhere” – Interview

  • Deakin University Year 10 Science Career Choices Workshop – Invited Speaker (2022-2024)

  • 3RRRFM Einstein A Go-Go "20 PhDs in 20 Minutes" – Interview

  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival "Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition" – Speaker

  • Peer Revue Comedy Show "Warning: Thunderstorm Asthma" – Invited Speaker

  • Deakin University Research Matters "Ten quick questions with Kira Hughes" – Interview

2023

  • Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology (ASI) Conference "Development of real-time biosensors to detect airborne allergens" – Speaker

  • Guardian Australia "Australian asthma deaths up 30% in year and experts say many were preventable" – Interview

  • Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) Showcase "Development of real-time biosensors to detect airborne allergens" – Speaker

  • SBS News "El Niño is here. Here's what that means for hay fever and allergies" – Interview

  • Deakin University Biology: Form and Function "The Link Between Pollen and Human Health” – Guest Lecturer

2022

  • ABC Science "Hay fever: Why seasonal allergies are peaking, and why climate change may make them worse" – Interview

  • Community and Research Network (CARN) Student Seminar – Speaker

2021

  • Disruptr "Taking cover when you hear the thunder: how to protect yourself from thunderstorm asthma this pollen season" – Interview

  • Deakin University "Bachelor of Biomedical Science 2nd & 3rd Year Welcome Event" – Invited Speaker

2020

  • Deakin University "Bachelor of Biomedical Science 2nd & 3rd Year Welcome Event" – Invited Speaker

Enquire about how Kira can help with your next event, campaign, or project

©2026 by Kira Hughes

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