Armidale's Dr Sonja Dominik is not your stereotypical scientist.
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Instead of a lab coat and clipboard, Dr Dominik can often be found sweating it out at her home Ninja Warrior gym.
In an effort to encourage young women to pursue science-based careers and strip away the images associated with scientests, Dr Dominik is bringing her two passions together.
Dr Dominik grew up in Germany but relocated to Australia upon pursuing a career in agriculture, and has worked for the CSIRO as a scientist in livestock breeding and genetics for nearly 20 years.
Dr Dominik also appeared on the second season of Nine's Ninja Warrior television series and competes in the national Ninja Challenge League.
She has joined the Superstars of STEM program, led by Science and Technology Australia, to increase the number of females in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers.
The number of male scientists in Australia outnumber females, so Dr Dominik will be travelling to schools around the area to motivate young women into pursuing careers in science and using Ninja Warrior experience as a "conversation starter".
"A lot of people think scientists are a bit nerdy and maybe a bit withdrawn and make the image of scientists as more personable and approachable," she said.
"That is what I am trying to do.
"You never know where a STEM career can take you."
As for her time on Ninja Warrior, Dr Dominik said it was a lot of fun, and science definitely comes into play.
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"I ran the course in season two but didn't get very far," she said.
"However, it was so much fun that I asked my husband to build a training course in the shed.
"Ninja workouts are all about momentum and gravity.
"It doesn't get more sciencey than that.
"But the main thing is that they are both a heap of fun."