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Exploring the Intersection of Science and Web3 Technology with Stephanie Bazley
We’re still buzzing from our recent chat with Stephanie Bazley, an inspiring change agent whose journey from neuroscience to the world of web3 is a testament of serendipitous timing and something she refers to as “terminal curiosity.”
In this week’s yarn, we pull out the key moments which led Stephanie out of Queensland to embark on an exciting journey in tech and find out what she’s observing as new developments take shape in Australia.
From Small Town to Tech Frontier
Growing up in rural Queensland, Stephanie's accessibility to technology was limited and connectivity to the internet wasn’t always reliable. But her high school’s forward-thinking approach to learning equipped students with laptops, kindling her early fascination with technology and science.
Stephanie fuelled her love for science, completing undergraduate studies in Brisbane with an honours degree in neuroscience. A continued fascination with tech led her to embark on a journey into the deep web and it was during these undergrad years, she engaged in freelance consulting work with tech companies, delving into market research and exploring various projects in cybersecurity, health, and construction. Exposure to these new avenues ignited her passion for discovery as she began considering other areas of study.
“Applying to Cambridge University was a real turning point,” Stephanie recalls. “I hadn’t considered it but I kept hearing about others in my field who had completed their master’s program, and it wasn’t until the third time a friend mentioned it that the opportunity deeply resonated and I could see it for myself, particularly at Cambridge.”
At Cambridge, Stephanie’s natural leadership skills propelled her to becoming President of the Science Innovation Union, a not-for-profit organisation connecting scientists with industries outside of academia bridging the gap between research and real-world applications. Through this experience, she gained valuable insights into venture capitalism and accelerated competition.
Venturing into the World of Blockchain
Stephanie maintains an unwavering focus on technology and developing projects, nurturing networks and ideas. It was her first-hand involvement with blockchain projects, coupled with experience with DAOs (decentralised autonomous organisations) and tokenomics that caught the attention of John Henderson, a key figure in the Australian web3 community.
“I was at Blockchain Week last year and had the opportunity to meet with John for a coffee,” Stephanie says. “I’m grateful and have a lot of respect for John – he opened a door for me that I didn’t know existed and it all worked out quite wonderfully.”
Now at AirTree, Stephanie's expertise and passion for emerging technologies involving decentralised platforms and communities are put to practise. While her overall role is one centred on opportunity, she notes the importance of managing personalities, expectations, and challenging situations.
“During my first few weeks in the role, there was a startup I had declined for investment and what I didn’t anticipate was the push back on social media which followed soon after,” she says. “What this taught me was the value of direct communication, even when it's difficult. It’s best to be clear from the start.”
Stephanie continues, “The future of health tech is bright and Australia has a strong foundation in health research, considering the number of significant scientific discoveries that have originated here.”
“With advancements in areas such as biotechnology, genomics, and AI all playing a part in revolutionising the industry, there is still room for growth in AI solutions. Both industry and government will play pivotal roles in driving innovation, and we are seeing that being led by industry now.”
Sources of Inspiration
What occupies Stephanie’s mind when she’s not working? Scientific literature and yes, podcasts. She shares a few of her favourites below:
She also spends quite a bit of time listening and learning on Twitter, intrigued by conversations and perspectives shared by web3 founders and communities.
We asked Stephanie for some closing words of advice and she summed it up like no other:
“Treat your primary care physician like you do your VC – get to know them before you need them!”
About Stephanie
Stephanie is an investment manager at AirTree, one of Australia’s leading web3 VCs and connects with founders and startups at any stage of their journey to provide insight, guidance, and feedback. Her expertise extends beyond traditional technology, with an extensive understanding of the implications web3 holds for industries related to health. Connect via LinkedIn or Twitter.