The AAG Student and Early Career Group (SECG) provides a forum for newcomers to gerontology and associated fields to share their professional and personal experiences and achievements in ageing-related work or study.

A quarter of the AAG’s total membership is made up of student and early career members. Through the SECG, under-graduate and post-graduate students come together with researchers, educators, aged care leaders, geriatricians, nurses, allied health professionals, policy makers, advocates for older people and others with expertise in ageing. Members of the community – older people, family members and other consumers – are active participants in many of our events.

Whatever our role, we share a common interest: to improve knowledge and understanding of the many factors that influence and contribute to the experience of ageing. Connecting with fellow members provides an opportunity to tap into a wealth of experience and knowledge from a variety of settings.

Whether you are a student or in the workforce, we invite you to join this group and make the most of this opportunity to:

SECG member benefits:

  • Network with other like-minded colleagues through online communities and targeted events
  • Optimise your participation in educational, professional development and social events at the local and national level
  • Enhance your national and international connections, to share ideas and achievements
  • Apply for members-only awards and grants offered by the AAG
  • Access discounted AAG membership and registration to AAG conferences and events
  • Connect with mid to late career professionals through informal networks and mentoring programs
  • Gain leadership skills and help shape the future of the AAG.

 

Friends of the SECG

Emerging Researchers in Ageing

New Zealand Association of Gerontology

SECG Blogs

Our blog:

The SECG’s official blog is an open forum, managed by the SECG Communications group.
Other SECG online network groups are available on Facebook and LinkedIn. Access to these online communities is restricted to SECG members.

SECG National Leads

Kate Wang
SECG National President
Dr Kate Wang is a senior lecturer in pharmacy at RMIT and an adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia. Since 2020, she has been an active volunteer with the A...
70Wang
Tesfahun Eshetie
SECG National Professional Development and Events Lead
Dr Tesfahun Eshetie is a Research Fellow at the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) Research Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and the Caring Future...
71Eshetie
Kristina Chelberg
SECG National Communications and Awards Lead
72Chelberg
Alice Pashley
SECG National Conference Lead - student & early career events
Dr Alice Pashley is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation, University of Canberra, and an Accredited Practising Dietitian with expertise in qualit...
73Pashley
Ashlyn Sahay
SECG Liaison to the AAG Board
Qld Division Board Representative. Ashlyn brings over 15 years of clinical experience in both private and public hospitals and aged care, coupled with a decade of academic experie...
79Sahay

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SECG National Working Groups

Alice Pashley
SECG National Conference Lead - student & early career events
Dr Alice Pashley is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation, University of Canberra, and an Accredited Practising Dietitian with expertise in qualit...
73Pashley
Kristina Chelberg
SECG National Communications and Awards Lead
72Chelberg
Tesfahun Eshetie
SECG National Professional Development and Events Lead
Dr Tesfahun Eshetie is a Research Fellow at the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) Research Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and the Caring Future...
71Eshetie
Najwan El-Saifi
SECG National Working group member - Professional Development and Events
Dr Najwan El-Saifi is a Research Fellow at UQ Centre for Hearing Research. She holds a BSc in Pharmacy, a Master of Medical Research degree, and a PhD (University Award of Excellen...
75El-Saifi
Steph Garratt
SECG National Working group member - Professional Development and Events
Dr Steph Garratt is a research fellow at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, and holds a casual academic position at the University of Auckland (New Zealand). S...
75Garratt
Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo
SECG National Working group member - Professional Development and Events
Dr Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo (MPH, MSc, PhD) is a National Heart Foundation of Australia - Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Fellow at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, M...
75Phyo
Kaylee Rudd
SECG National Working group member - Professional Development and Events
Kaylee is currently a Junior Research Fellow at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, completing her PhD in Nov 2025. Her research aims to understand the association ...
75Rudd
Wejdan Shahin
SECG National Working group member - Professional Development and Events
75Shahin
Alice Windle
SECG National Working group member - Professional Development and Events
Alice Windle is a Research Fellow in the Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders University. Her research focuses on understanding and supporti...
75Windle
Caitlin Wyman
SECG National Working group member - Professional Development and Events
Caitlin Wyman is a PhD candidate at Flinders University, South Australia. She also works as an Accredited Practising Dietitian in residential aged care and community settings. Cait...
75Wyman
Yaping Zhong
SECG National Working group member - Professional Development and Events
75Zhong

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