RG x RACI_EmpoweringtheFutureofSTEM_singlepages300dpi - Book - Page 30
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V E R i T Y N O R M i N GTO N ●
GEOSCi ENTi ST
I
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n central Australia, surrounded by tens of kilometres of flat, dusty plains with
clusters of mulga trees, there is a jagged range of red and purple rocks,”
says Verity. She’s telling the story of diamictite. This fascinating rock was formed
from all sorts of rocks and minerals that were crushed and buried by glaciers then
pushed back to the surface of the Earth after many hundreds of millions of years.
And many years after that, Verity discovered her love for geology and storytelling.
Verity didn’t think much of it when she picked the geology class. She’d been ill
and missed a lot of school. After failing year 12 and taking some time off to get well,
she enrolled in an adult education college. Maths and science had always been
interesting to her, so she thought she’d give geology a try. Within three weeks, she
was obsessed. She’d found her path, and it was paved with rocks!
She got her PhD and spent seven years mapping the Amadeus Basin. She
roamed the desert, describing the rocks she found, creating maps of the area, and
unravelling the history and mysteries of the landscape.
Over time, she realised how much she loved advocating for science – taking
difficult scientific concepts and explaining them in ways that everyone can
understand. She also found a passion for speaking up for minority groups, like those
with chronic illnesses.
When Verity was 18, she finally got a diagnosis for what had been making her ill
for years. It was Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
Throughout her life, she’s had to take months off school or work to heal or recover
from surgeries. And while that has been difficult, she also sees what her illness has
taught her. “It’s made me a better leader,” she says. It’s increased her empathy for
others and taught her to be prepared. “It has taught me to be flexible and go with
the flow,” says Verity. “It has shown me how strong I truly am.”
BORN 1982
AUSTRALi A
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