Associate Professor Sushila Chang has had a varied career that spanned continents.

Sushila was born in Malaysia, where she studied her A levels there before completing a BSc (Honours) in Biology at the University of London. She was awarded a French Government postgraduate scholarship and then undertook a Phd in Cellular Biology and Toxicology at the University of Paris 5 and 7 in Paris, France prior to employment at Nestle in a number of locations around the world.

Sushila joined Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore, to set up the biotechnology program and went on to become Director of the School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology and concurrently the Senior Director of the university. 

She sits on various committees, her most recent position being Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Life Sciences Institute, which is headquartered in Washington DC. 

Sushila worked at UQ from 2001-2, then moved back to Singapore. She returned in January 2008 for a variety of reasons, including the fact that she had enjoyed her stay at UQ previously.

"I have many of my students from Singapore who come to UQ," Sushila said, "and through their experiences and mine I am very aware that this university gives everyone a chance. The university has a very big heart and of course it is one of the best in Australia and this part of the world."