As a little boy, Jake Clark would wake his dad up in the dark hours of the morning to wave at the night sky.
The space-obsessed Jake was waving for one of his heroes, Australian astronaut Andrew Thomas, who was deployed on the International Space Station at the time.
Jake never gave up his love for space or his childhood curiosity for the stars. He now spends his days helping to shape the future of science outreach for Australian children at Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre.
This week his extraordinary contribution to science communication and space research was recognised at the University of Southern Queensland 2023 Alumni Awards.
He was named Young Alumnus of the Year in recognition for his doctorate work at the University and subsequent contribution to the public service at Questacon.
Jake works in a data-driven role that leans on his interest in science communication to help young people engage with STEM.
“What science skills bring to people is being able to view the world through a critical lens and being able to solve things in a creative way,” he said.
“What has been great about working at Questacon has been building up the data literacy in a national organisation and being able to see where our impact is.
During his PhD studies, Jake was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to live and study in the United States for seven months.
His thesis examined the composition of an estimated 50,000 stars and the planets they host.
Jake was invited to present his work at Yale and MIT and the database he created continues to be utilised by scientists from across the world.
It is a career that young Jake could never have imagined. He was the first person in his family to graduate high school and go on to study higher education.
“University has given me opportunities that I never thought possible,” he said.
“If I was to tell little five-year-old Jake all of this, I don’t think he’d believe it.
“I’m really honoured to be nominated, and to win the award. University of Southern Queensland provided me with a space to flourish. It’s something I will forever cherish.”
