Kathryn Zealand: Using Science to Power Innovation and Movement
Kathryn Zealand is making a positive impact on the world, using her physics superpowers.
A supportive and motivating physics teacher at Brisbane Grammar School, where she attended high school in Queensland, started Kathryn on the path to a highly awarded education and a successful career in science, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Kathryn is an alum of the 2007 Asian Physics Olympiad held in Shanghai, China, where she received the award for Best Female Student. (In 2007, the International Physics Olympiad was held in Iran – the Australian team did not attend due to political concerns).
Her work across science, technology, business and social impact, along with a desire to help her grandmother, led Kathryn to found the company, Skip, which is transforming the world with powered wearable tech.
We are grateful that Kathryn took the time to share her remarkable story with us, and to reflect on how her experiences with the Australian Science Olympiad program had a positive influence.
How did you first learn about ASI programs, and what inspired you to participate?
I had a wonderful physics teacher, Mr Allinson who encouraged it.
What were your highlights during ASO Summer School? What impact did it have on you?
At the time I really enjoyed the learning, it was invigorating to feel challenged by the content and the fast pace of the lessons. In hindsight though, I think it was meeting other kids who were excited about the same things I was. I made fast friends at the summer school, including some people I’m still friends with 20 years later!
Do you still keep in touch with anyone from your ASO Summer School cohort?
Yes! I’m good friends with Reiner Pope from my Olympiad team, we were flatmates together in Sydney for a while, then both ended up in San Francisco and at GoogleX. We still catch up occasionally, but with growing families of our own there has been less time for socialising.
What did you study at university?
I initially studied Physics and Maths, and even started a PhD in Theoretical Physics, but if anything I wish I had explored broader options before narrowing in Theoretical physics, since it turns out that personally I thrive most when working on *applied* problems, with a real sense of tangible impact, and now my work is much closer to engineering than physics.
How have ASI programs influenced your professional growth?
Professionally the Olympiads were especially helpful when applying for international graduate school courses or jobs, since people at the top institutions overseas may not be familiar with Australia’s education system or best schools, but the Olympiads stay as a strong signal of intelligence that’s commonly understood by everyone.
What do you enjoy about your current position, profession or field?
I’m currently founder of a ~20 team attempting to make “movewear” a new category of powered clothing that uses ultralight robotics and AI to physically help people move. I love how rewarding the job is. We often people who struggle with mobility or joint pain, use our products to do something that would have been impossible without it. It’s also great to work in such an interdisciplinary team, we have everything from mechanical engineers to soft-goods designers to AI researchers all working together to make the products better, which means I’m always learning new things.
How do you see your profession changing in the next 3 or 5 years?
AI is allowing smaller teams to do more with less, which is great as a founder since I can spend more of time on the things that really matter (often hiring and developing outstanding people) vs doing a poor job managing a very large team.
What is your most memorable personal highlight recently?
I really enjoying backpacking and mountain running, and recently ran the John Muir Trail, a beautiful section of trail in the USA from Yosemite National Park to Mt Whitney, the tallest points in the continental US.
Featured Image: Kathryn Zealand being congratulated by The Hon Julie Bishop, former Minister for Education Science and Training, at the 2007 Australian Olympiad Team Announcement.
Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing your story, making a difference to the world, and inspiring all our future scientists.
