QAEHS in Focus shines the spotlight on QAEHS staff and students to showcase the expertise and talent within our Centre
How long have you worked at QAEHS?
Nearly 1.5 years.
How do you explain your job to people?
I explain that I am a research scientist looking at microplastics within humans, with a primary focus on identifying their presence within our blood, urine, and brain tissue.
What is your favourite thing about working at QAEHS?
It's so hard to narrow just one thing down so I am going to cheat and give two. The first is definitely the amazing resources and facilities we have here, we are spoilt for choice in what we can do with our work. The second, and most important, thing I love about QAEHS is the people. I have never felt so much support, love and fun in a work environment before and am always excited to walk through the doors each day due to all these amazing people!
What is something you learned in the last week?
Only recently have we understood how eels reproduce in the wild. In 2022 scientists found the spawning grounds of various eel species in the Sargasso Sea, where females were found to release their eggs for male fertilisation. How they get to and from this site, as well as when they know to start heading towards it is still unknown.
What has been your career path that led to your current position at QAEHS?
After finishing my Master of Philosophy over at QUT in 2022 in biomedical science, I worked as biomarker RA for a military project assessing how physical and psychological stresses can influence human biology. Following this role, I wanted to pursue further research into human health monitoring while also upskilling my hands on mass spec knowledge and handling procedures. That is when I discovered the RA role in the Minderoo project, and the rest, they say, is history.
What is your favourite movie?
Jurassic Park! Massive dinosaur fan here so this is an obvious favourite. Plus who doesn’t love a dinosaur thriller?
Random fact you would like to share about yourself.
I am a fanatic of plants, insects, dinosaurs and gemstones.
