New staff: Welcome to SBS

Have you noticed some new faces in the hallways lately? Meet the professional staff who recently joined the School.

To help get to know the incredible people who have joined our team, we caught up with them to find out about their career backgrounds and aspirations, personal pursuits, campus hot spots and more. Meet the newest professional staff at the School:

Aiden Langford, Academic Support Officer
Alex Saville, Senior Academic Support Officer
Belinda Hofmeyr, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology Strategy and Operations Manager
Charlotte Morgans, Department of Anatomy and Physiology Strategy and Operations Manager
Jen Lejcak, Human Resources Business Partner
Samantha Askew, Academic Support Officer
Sue Amoddio, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology Administration Assistant
Vanessa Felice, Department of Anatomy and Physiology Administration Assistant

Q: WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU BRING TO THE SCHOOL AND FACULTY?

Aiden Langford: I come from a variety of project management and coordination roles within the publishing, medical and education industries. My other most significant full-time role is father to three boys aged 10, 11 and 17, which means I possess highly acute skills in time-management, multi-tasking, negotiation and first aid practice!
Alex Saville: Before starting at SBS, I worked in the Faculty of Law at Monash University handling Post Graduate admission and student services. A career highlight was working in Japan in 2016-17, teaching English at an Eikaiwa in Osaka.
Belinda Hofmeyr: I have been School Operations Manager in the Faculty of Science for the past three years, with a portfolio of the School of Mathematics and Statistics as well as the School of Physics. My operational experience across theoretical and experimental research, and the related implications for teaching will be valuable at SBS.
Charlotte Morgans: After growing up in London, I backpacked around Australia and have been here ever since! I joined the University of Melbourne 18 years ago and have worked across Chancellery, Human Resources and the faculties of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Law, Fine Arts and Music, and Arts. Last year I was awarded the Dean’s Faculty of Arts Award for the ‘Most Significant Contribution to the Staff Experience’.
Jen Lejcak: I have worked in public health and plaintiff law. My most recent key achievement was completing a Master of Business Administration during COVID.
Samantha Askew: I previously worked for The University of South Australia as a clinical placement officer in the Academic Units of Clinical Health Sciences and Allied Health and Human Performance. I was responsible for all Medical Radiation Science, Clinical Exercise Physiology and Post Graduate Sonography students and their placement requirements.
Sue Amoddio: I’ve worked in hospitality and catering, marketing at International House and marketing of children’s books at Penguin and MacMillan. I wrote song lyrics for children’s TV shows Lift Off and L’il Elvis and adapted screenplays from Round the Twist into short stories for Harper Collins.
Vanessa Felice: I’ve had a variety of roles from primary school teacher to allied health clinician and administrator.

_{L-R: Charlotte Morgans, Department of Anatomy and Physiology Strategy and Operations Manager, Belinda Hofmeyr, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology Strategy and Operations Manager.}

WHAT DOES JOINING THE SCHOOL MEAN TO YOU?

Alex Saville: Having just gone through the worst of a global pandemic, it’s encouraging and rewarding to play even a small part in the development and growth of the next generation of medical researchers and health professionals. The students passing through our School may well change the world with their future endeavours.
Belinda Hofmeyr: I have been at the University since 2015 and I am very happy to be joining the Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology and supporting the high quality and diverse research and engaging teaching offering. The breadth of research at the School is so impressive, and the implications for cross disciplinary collaboration and translation is exciting.
Jen Lejcak: I work in the provost, however I am partnering with the School, which has been interesting because the School is so vast with many different roles.
Vanessa Felice: I’ve worked in some large organisations in the past, but UniMelb dwarfs them all combined! I’ve only been here a few weeks but I am constantly impressed with the work of so many talented individuals and groups at the School.

^{Alex Saville, Senior Academic Support Officer.}

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL PURSUITS OR PASSIONS THAT HELP YOU FIND WORK-LIFE BALANCE?

Aiden Langford: My life outside of work involves a lot of transporting the boys to various extra-curricular activities. Squeezed between that, I like going to the newest “cool” place to eat in Melbourne, and catching any show, musical or event offered at any time of year.
Charlotte Morgans: This year I have completed two significant hikes: the three capes track in Tasmania and The Australian Grand Traverse from Falls Creek to Mt Hotham. Being in nature helps me recharge and reframe.
Sue Amoddio: My outside interests are oil and watercolour painting, travel and experiencing local cuisines and cultures.
Vanessa Felice: Throughout my career, I’ve maintained an interest in one of my true passions: fashion and design. My latest creation is in an upcoming Australian feature film, The Red Shoes: Next Steps (below).

_{Vanessa Felice, Department of Anatomy and Physiology Administration Assistant, costume design for Australian feature film, The Red Shoes: Next Steps.}

WHEN LOOKING BACK ON YOUR CAREER, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Aiden Langford: Finding a good work-life balance is so important.
Belinda Hofmeyr: Never be afraid to ask for things, the worst answer is ‘no’ and you are often surprised by it being ‘yes’.
Samantha Askew: Take every opportunity with both hands, even if it requires stepping outside of your comfort zone. This is where you learn, make mistakes, grow, move forward and reflect.
Sue Amoddio: Always be open to trying new ideas and opportunities. Each job is a stepping stone to bigger and better things. And never burn your bridges!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CAFÉ OR PLACE ON CAMPUS?

Aiden Langford: Standing Room is my go-to for good coffee!
Alex Saville: The System Garden, it’s a peaceful place to read.
Belinda Hofmeyr: Seven Seeds for the best coffee and a good place to sit for a chat.
Charlotte Morgans: House of Cards is a long-time reliable favourite.
Jen Lejcak: 7 Seeds because it has a great atmosphere.
Samantha Askew: The Carte Crepes is in the lead so far.
Sue Amoddio: Super8 and Dr Dax.
Vanessa Felice: Wild Timor in Faraday Street, Scholar & Co on Grattan, and – as a good Italian girl – I have to mention Brunetti!

_{By Harriet Edmund}

25 Oct 2022