POSTCARDS

Alexander Harper (OS 2005)

Researcher and Worker for Humanitarian Organisations,

Sofia, Bulgaria

With two great grandfathers, my father and various other antecedents having attended Sydney Grammar School, it seemed inevitable that I would. It was there that I developed a love of history and politics, and this has defined my life since.

This interest in the contours of human history and how it defines the world we live in intersected with the international influence that naturally stemmed from parents coming from two different citizenships.

After school I went on to study at the University of Sydney with a focus on Australian diplomatic history and the politics of the Middle East. In this, I was somewhat a product of my time, finishing school and starting university in the context of 9/11 and all that came after, which led me to focus on the region where I’ve lived for the past decade.

The road there wasn’t a straight one, however, and after university I spent time working in the fine-art auction world – even training as a nascent auctioneer; an experience I remember very fondly and one I almost followed as a career.

Nonetheless, a desire to travel and experience different parts of the world continued to beckon, and in 2013 I took the decision to travel to Beirut, originally for just a few months of Arabic classes and some work experience at a not-for-profit organisation. I quickly succumbed to the charms of the country and its people, and would only leave earlier this year, ten years after arriving. During this time my professional career shifted to research and analysis tailored for humanitarian organizations seeking to respond to the needs of people trying to survive in a region towards which history continues to be extremely unkind.

I currently work for Mercy Corps, a large American NGO operating out of Portland, Oregon providing humanitarian aid where it is needed around the world. While at times very challenging, I find the work high intensity and exciting. I travel frequently. I work with some incredible colleagues, and I have made friends around the world. I now live in Sofia, Bulgaria after my wife took a posting with the United Nations to support Ukrainian refugees fleeing that awful conflict, and I continue to work with Mercy Corps on different crisis contexts across the Middle East, Ukraine and beyond.

Ajantha Abey (OS 2013)

Stem Cell researcher,

Oxford, UK

At Grammar, I was caught in between Latin and Science. Unable to choose, I did both at the University of Sydney, and discovered that not only was it nice to switch from 500-person genetics lectures to 10-person Cicero discussions, but that Latin was also extremely useful for anatomy. I decided that understanding how the brain works was one of the most interesting and important questions (and I met my partner while examining one). I developed an interest in ageing which led to dementia research, while teaching neuroanatomy on the side.

It turns out pet dogs can get dementia, just like humans, and my research life started at the Sydney Brain and Mind Centre, trying to see how similar dog brains with dementia are to humans (very!) and trying to see if we can reverse dog dementia using stem cell therapies (we can!).

Now, I find myself at the end of my PhD at Oxford, still working on stem cells, but growing neurons from patients to understand what happens in these diseases at the cellular level (and I use equations that I learned from Dr EJ Sheridan in Form IV nearly every day). Research is hard work but getting to say that you grow brain cells in the lab to understand Alzheimer’s disease is pretty cool. And there is, of course, still plenty of Latin here!

I’ve loved the vibrant academic environment here with old friends and new. Out of the lab, I am a Whovian, listening to podcasts, and playing/taking photos of Quadball (aka quidditch). I try to look broadly, dive deep, and share widely.

Michael Harvey (OS 1987)

Director of Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium,

Adelaide, South Australia

A varied mix of interests and abilities marked my time at Grammar. Apparent strengths in English, History and Biology, equally apparent weaknesses in Mathematics and Chemistry, along with enthusiasms for debating, cricket, fencing, theatre, and music made choosing what to do in life rather tricky!

Overriding all was a fascination with nature so a Zoology degree was the next step, accompanied by studies in History and Philosophy of Science and in Scientific Communication. Entry-level roles at Questacon and at UNSW, and then back to College Street to work as Information Officer at the Australian Museum, taught me much about our collective practical and emotional relationships with nature.

A move to the British Council followed which, in turn, led to the UK and to London’s Natural History Museum. The experience of making my way in a great institution in a global city, navigating the complexities of a large organisation, and working with talented and passionate people was hugely formative. I grew up so much in seven short years and still draw on those connections, friendships and experiences.

I am back in Australia now, and my focus has shifted into organisational leadership at the interface of the government, not-forprofit, science, community engagement and education sectors – all in a beautiful set of museums and gardens – the Australian Museum, The National Maritime Museum and now the Botanic Gardens in Adelaide.

Reflecting on Grammar’s emphasis that its pupils develop a broad range of interests and the opportunities to stretch one’s skills (or lack thereof) in the creative arts, in sport and in the sciences, is what set me on this hugely fulfilling journey.

James Scutts (OS 2009)

Educator,

London, UK

Sydney Grammar School taught me to be an inquisitive, critical and forward thinker, whilst still remaining appreciative of the scholarly foundations upon which we build our new ideas. My view is that education should never be a prescriptive process, but rather adaptive and responsive to those who stand to benefit from it.

After completing Honours in Linguistics and Italian Studies, and a single semester at the University of Sydney Law School, I conceded (and with later wisdom, now appreciate) that education is my true calling. What started as a Form VI hobby became something I’ve been fortunate to enjoy doing every day for the past fifteen years: one-on-one tutoring with pupils from many backgrounds. I relocated to the United Kingdom two years ago, and this passion morphed into my multi-platform international enterprise spanning in-person, online and group learning for what is now hundreds of pupils.

I oversee a fiercely passionate, dedicated, hand-picked team of educators under my banner of JPA Tutoring. As Founder and Head Tutor, I marvel as they tirelessly conduct everything from weekly remedial lessons to one-off sessions that embellish the knowledge imparted by classroom teachers. More recently, I have sought to bring my expertise to disadvantaged areas on a pro bono basis, beginning in Australia and spreading to the UK. My entrepreneurial successes have occurred as the product of personal research, conversations with incredible minds, and trial-and-error.

Over the past fifteen years, the landscape of out-of-classroom education has arguably changed for the better. I champion the approach that external help should complement and enrich what incredible teachers provide, and never seek to unjustly advantage one group merely due to finances or privilege.

Max Baker (OS 2012)

Virologist,

Paris, France

At Grammar, my favourite subject was Science, particularly Biology. So, naturally, when heading off to university, I enrolled in commerce. After a year of struggling with accounting, and wondering why I felt unfulfilled, I restarted university with a Bachelor of Science. To nobody’s surprise, I loved it.

After finishing my undergraduate degree in Biology, I pursued a PhD, where I trained in Biophysics and Biochemistry. My work involved understanding the chemistry of proteins involved in the immune system, and in particular, the interface between the immune system and viruses.

As my PhD went on, I developed more and more of an interest in the viruses themselves, so when COVID-19 happened I wanted to be a part of it. I took up a position at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, where I am working now as a Postdoctoral Research Associate.

In my job, I perform cryo-electron microscopy on viruses, to determine their fundamental molecular structure and whether they may be targetable for vaccines and therapeutics. Cryo-electron microscopy can achieve unparalleled resolution, which allows us to see the viruses and the individual atoms that comprise them. My work focuses on COVID-19, as I expected, as well as yellow fever virus, Zika virus, and West Nile virus, among others.

The other (arguably more important) benefit of the job is that I work in the centre of Paris. I can see the Eiffel Tower from my office, I speak (faltering) French with my colleagues and I pick up a baguette every night on the way home. I’m a total cliché, and I love it.