Founders
Founder & Director of Research
Christian is a medical student, educator, and recognised leader with a multidisciplinary background in physiology, neuroscience, education, and health research. As the founder of RISE, he brings years of experience in building high-performing teams, designing educational systems, and leading organisational reform across both secondary and tertiary settings.
Alongside his medical studies, Christian has contributed to major curriculum restructuring efforts at both the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney, with a focus on equity, mentorship, and student-centred learning. His background as a secondary school teacher and education consultant informs a systems-level approach to leadership that underpins RISE’s mission.
Founder & Director of Research
Leonard is a medical student, clinician-researcher, and strategic leader with a multidisciplinary background in medicine, finance, and public health. As the founder of RISE and President of the Sydney University Surgical Society (2026), he brings a strong track record in surgical research, academic leadership, and health systems innovation.
His work spans surgical decision-making, health economics, and translational innovation, with research appointments at Griffith University and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Leonard’s contributions, from evaluating virtual surgical planning in jaw reconstruction to advancing care for advanced GI cancers, reflect a deep commitment to evidence-based reform in surgery. At RISE, he leads strategic direction and partnerships, working to expand access to research and connect student innovation with the broader surgical community.
Directors
Director of Education
Mukund is an award-winning surgical researcher, anatomy educator, and student entrepreneur with a proven track record of building high-impact, student-led programs from the ground up. As co-founder of a national mentorship and curriculum platform that has supported over 1,000 aspiring medical students, Mukund brings a deep understanding of how to transform vision into structure, and structure into outcomes.
His academic experience spans teaching across anatomy, clinical skills, and data science, with research roles in surgical innovation, outcomes analysis, and precision medicine. As Director of Education, Mukund is driving the development of a rigorous, scalable education arm within RISE; one that empowers students, supports mentors, and cements RISE’s role as a leader in student-surgeon collaboration.
Director of Communications
Paloma is a founding RISE Scholar and a driving force behind the program’s growth, visibility, and voice. As an early member of the pilot cohort, she has shaped RISE from the inside out, and is deeply invested in building it into a nationally recognised, unmissable platform for surgical mentorship and student-led research.
With a track record of leading high-impact communications across multiple student organisations, Paloma brings creative vision, strategic execution, and a sharp eye for brand storytelling. As Director of Communications, she is focused on amplifying the achievements of RISE Scholars, forging a strong and unified public presence, and positioning RISE at the forefront of academic surgical engagement.