Dr Sophie Ping was born, raised and schooled in Ballarat before moving to Melbourne, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English Literature and Science degree majoring in Physiology at the University of Melbourne. She completed a PhD in Neurophysiology, also at the University of Melbourne, researching neuro-protective mechanisms of oestrogen neurodegenerative disease. While completing PhD studies, Sophie was also employed as the Senior Tutor for Medicine, Physiotherapy and Biomedical Sciences and as a problem-based learning (PBL) tutor in the Medical degree at Melbourne University.

Sophie then worked for Medical Education Services Australia (MESA), and relocated to Apia, Western Samoa, in the role of Campus Coordinator and pre-clinical sciences lecturer for the Oceania University of Medicine.

After returning to Australia, Sophie worked in Darwin and Alice Springs as a Health Science Lecturer at Charles Darwin University, where she also coordinated the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Science degree and sat on the Human Research Ethics Committee.

Sophie then returned to Victoria and completed her MBBS at Deakin University, including 2 years training exclusively in rural and regional settings.  She then trained as general practitioner and forensic medical examiner before moving into medical management and leadership. She is currently completing an MBA in Health Administration at Deakin University.

Sophie continues to work as a forensic examiner and within this role also advocates for and supports survivors of family violence. She is also dedicated to supporting medical education and welfare for doctors and is passionate about improving opportunities, training and support for both junior and senior doctors in regional and rural health services, and acknowledging the integral role that medical services play in sustaining rural communities.

In her non-medical life, Sophie was a member of the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra for many years, subscribes to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Theatre Company and Australian Ballet, has been an active member of several book clubs, loves watching movies, enjoys yoga and pilates, and is a ‘crazy dog lady’ mother to her fur-child beagle, Layla. She also a managing director of a women’s clothing boutique in Torquay that she runs with her mother, Robyn.