Dr. Done Onan was born and raised in Melbourne and holds an Honours degree in Science from RMIT University and a PhD in Medical Research from Monash University. Her doctoral research focused on the cardiac effects of the Urotensin II endocrine system in mammals, examining its signaling and regulatory mechanisms. She continued her medical research in Type II diabetes and bone cancer at The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and St Vincent’s Medical Research Institute before transitioning to academia at The University of Melbourne. There, she served as a lecturer and Course Coordinator for Techniques in Molecular Science, a second-year Science/Biomedical Science subject.

Dr. Onan has authored seven peer-reviewed journal articles, co-supervised three Honours students, and presented her research at numerous national and international conferences in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

In 2014, she shifted her career focus to education, teaching Biology, Psychology, Science, and Islamic Studies at a local Islamic secondary college. Over the years, she held several leadership positions, including Vice-Principal of the all-boys campus, Head of Teaching & Learning, Head of Student Services, and Cross-Campus Head of STEM.

Dr. Onan is the Co-Founder and Director of the Melbourne Muslim Seminary, where she teaches Soul Development (Tazkiya). A dedicated mother of three, she remains an active member of her local Islamic community, serving as a mentor, youth leader, and presenter of weekly Islamic classes.