US West Coast Alumni Network
About
The West Coast Alumni Network was established in 2024 to support and engage the growing community of University of Melbourne alumni across the West Coast of the United States. With active chapters in both northern and southern regions, the association brings together graduates from diverse fields such as technology, entertainment, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship.
Created as a hub for connection and opportunity, the association offers alumni a platform to expand their professional networks, foster friendships, and stay connected to the University. Throughout the year, the LA and SF chapters host a dynamic range of events, including industry panels, social mixers, and informal networking gatherings.
Keep updated on the US West Coast Alumni Network's upcoming events.
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Association events
Executive Committee – Southern California
Mr Douglas Delanoy, Lead
Douglas completed the Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne in 2013. Connect with Douglas via LinkedIn.
Executive Committee – San Francisco
Dr Bianca Lê, Co-Lead
Bianca Lê is a cell biologist and science communicator working at the forefront of the cultivated meat industry. She is Head of Special Projects and External Affairs at Mission Barns, where she helped secure the first-ever regulatory approval for cultivated pork. Bianca holds a PhD in biomedical research focused on cardiomyocyte development and is the founder of Cellular Agriculture Australia.
Connect with Bianca via LinkedIn.
Dr Sharmaine Ramasamy, Co-Lead
Dr. Sharmaine Ramasamy is a senior government executive with 20+ years’ experience across defence, national security, science and technology, and trade and investment—working with the Australian Department of Defence, Australian Federal Police and the Victorian Government. While posted as Counsellor for Defence & National Security Science & Technology at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC she managed an international science and technology portfolio covering national security, special operations, border protection, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and combat forensics. She has deployed multiple times to the Middle East and Southeast Asia in support of military operations.
Sharmaine previously directed the Defence Science & Technology Support to Operations Centre, served as a Strategic Advisor to the Australian Federal Police on counter-terrorism and disaster response, and for nearly a decade led Victoria’s Americas investment portfolio, helping major US tech firms scale into APAC. Sharmaine is a board member of the Australian American Chamber of Commerce and recently founded a boutique consulting firm advising on international expansion, research commercialisation, and foreign direct investment strategy. Born and raised in Australia, Sharmaine graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Honours and a PhD in Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. She also has postgraduate certifications from the University of Melbourne and Harvard. Her personal interests include spending time with family and friends, trail running, travelling, working at UCSF Children’s Hospital with her therapy dog, and writing children’s STEM books.
Connect with Sharmaine via LinkedIn.
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