Our students come from diverse study backgrounds. Below, five share their personal experiences of postgraduate study at the Centre.
- Danijela Menicanin - Research Focus: Tissue Repair
- Thomas Klaric - Research Focus: Tissue Repair (stroke)
- Kristie Pan Yu Lee - Research Focus: Neural development
- Dr Peter Psaltis (FRACP) - Research Focus: Cardiac Repair
- Sonya Diakiw - Research Focus: Leukaemia
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Danijela MenicaninResearch Focus: Study Background: |
After completion of the undergraduate degree, my interest in histopathology lead to an honours project with Associate Professor Nicola Fazzalari, in the Bone and Joint Research Laboratories at the IMVS. The project focused on characterisation of osteoarthritic bone based on its immunophenotypic profile. Even though I found this field of research very interesting I felt the need to change direction and expand my knowledge. Due to extensive literature searching during my Honours year, I had become aware of the therapeutic potential in stem cell research and developed great interest in this area.
This lead to my current joint project, in the Bone Cancer Research Laboratory at the IMVS and at Dental School, Health Sciences University of Adelaide, where for the past 20 months I have been doing my PhD under the supervision of Associate Professor Stan Gronthos and Professor Mark Bartold, respectively. My project involves the characterisation of pluripotent cells present in three types of stromal tissue, the bone marrow, periodontal ligament and dental pulp. Identifying the genetic differences between pluri-potent cell types and their mature counterparts will aid in our aim to gain a better understanding of fundamental cellular processes involved in cell development.
I have found my PhD to be a challenging, rewarding and a growing experience. I feel that I have benefited from it at a personal level, as well as a professional level, recently I was awarded a Royal Adelaide Hospital Dawes Scholarship. The independence and the responsibility gained during this project have enabled me to obtain time management and communication skills whilst acquiring the essential technical expertise. Most of all, I have found the past two years very enjoyable and look forward to a bright future in this field.
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Thomas KlaricResearch Focus: Study Background: |
I completed my Bachelor of Biotechnology at the University of Adelaide in 2004, majoring in Genetics. The following year I took up an Honours project in Dr Simon Koblar's laboratory investigating the function of a newly discovered gene, NPAS4. This is a gene that is expressed in the brain following various types of brain trauma, such as stroke and seizure. The focus of my project was to use stem cells to explore the role of NPAS4 in neural differentiation. I really enjoyed working on this project as, being a novel gene, very little was known about NPAS4 and so every discovery was new and groundbreaking. It was also good to gain experience working with stem cells and learning techniques to do with stem cell culture, as this is one of the most rapidly expanding fields in science today.
Having benefited from both an interesting project and a good relationship with my supervisor and other lab members, I returned in 2005 to commence my PhD and continue work on the NPAS4 project. I am now about to enter my third year and, though there have been some difficulties at times, I am still enjoying my work.
What I like most about research is that it stimulates the mind and constantly provides fresh challenges. It often requires some lateral thinking to come up with creative solutions to problems and when these problems are overcome, it provides a great sense of satisfaction. It is exciting to work in a cutting-edge field and make new discoveries that contribute to our understanding of natural biological processes. It also provides opportunities to travel to conferences and scientific meetings all around the world and I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend a number of major conferences already.
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Kristie Pan Yu LeeResearch Focus: Study Background: |
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) from the University of Adelaide in 2005, majoring in Genetics and Infection and Immunity. During my last year of undergraduate studies, I took part in a 12 week research placement in Professor Robert Saint's laboratory in the Discipline of Genetics. I worked with Dr Steven Gregory in the study of the genetic and molecular interactions that control cell division using the fruit fly, Drosophila, as the model organism. Upon the completion of the lab placement, I became interested in working with Drosophila as I was fascinated by the high manipulability of its genome and its wide use in the study of human diseases (yet being so different from humans morphologically!). I completed my Honours year with Associate Professor Robert Richards within the same discipline. His group studies genes at chromosomal fragile sites. In order to understand the function of one of the chromosomal fragile site genes, WWOX, I worked with Dr Donna Crack to search for its physical and genetic interactors in Drosophila. My Honours project focused on the investigation of the interaction between WWOX and a stress response signaling molecule TRAF2.
The knowledge and experience I gained during my Honours year was invaluable. I was determined to pursue my career further in the field of genetics and was very keen on becoming an independent researcher. In the hope of becoming exposed to something different, I came across the work of Dr Paul Thomas, my current supervisor and whose research on the study of congenital X-linked disorder(s) through understanding the genetic and molecular networks during murine central nervous development has greatly interested me.
I started my PhD with Dr Thomas in 2007. We are currently investigating the role of the transcription factor, SOX3, in murine embryonic development. The Sox3 gene is active in neural stem cells in the primitive brain. My current research aims to elucidate the function of Sox3 in prenatal forebrain development and its relation to congenital hydrocephalus, which may ultimately lead to development of improved prognosis and treatment for this condition.
My PhD experience so far has been most positive. I have made significant progress in understanding how hydrocephalus occurs in these mice. I have also mastered a number of skills as a developmental biologist and communicated my research findings to other scientists in the field. In return, I have learnt techniques from them and adapted these to my research. I am looking forward to meeting and presenting my work to researchers from a broader background at future conferences and to enjoy the next two years or so of my wonderful PhD life.
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Dr Peter Psaltis (FRACP)Research Focus: Study Background: |
I graduated from The Adelaide University Medical School, with Honours in 1999 and was the recipient of both The Alumni University Medal and The University Medal. Following my internship, I undertook both Basic Physician Training and Advanced Training in Cardiology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, receiving my FRACP at the end of 2005. Since 2006 I have been a Research Fellow at the Cardiovascular Research Centre, RAH and PhD student in the Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide. I am the holder of a co-funded NHMRC / NHF post-graduate scholarship, having ranked first nationally in my application for National Heart Foundaton funding in 2006.
My PhD research is co-supervised by Associate Professors Stan Gronthos and Andrew Zannettino (Joint Heads of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Research Group, Division of Haematology, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Sciences and Hanson Institute) and Professor Stephen Worthley (Helpman Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine). Our project is investigating the cardiac reparative properties of immunoselected mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from both adult human and ovine bone marrow. This involves basic scientific experiments exploring the paracrine protective effects of MSCs on cardiac and vascular cells and the cardiomyocyte differentiative potential of MSCs, as well as the preclinical application of allogeneic MSCs in ovine models of heart failure. The latter studies are utilising both state-of-the-art stem cell delivery technology and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
In addition to my research commitments, I currently have a small clinical load in private cardiac practice and am actively involved in the teaching of Undergraduate medical students and post-graduate doctors, including those overseas-trained doctors preparing for their Australian Medical Council examinations. I have been an invited speaker at both national and international conferences.
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Sonya DiakiwResearch Focus: Study Background: |
I have always been interested in science but it wasn't until I had experienced several different fields of science at University that I became interested in molecular biology. It has been fascinating for me to study how biological events occurring on a microscopic scale can result in a visible outcome, such as improved patient treatments for various diseases. After completing my undergraduate degree I undertook my Honours year with A/Prof Richard D'Andrea, focusing on identifying and characterising novel genes with potential involvement in the development of leukaemia. I enjoyed the challenges of laboratory research and developed an interest in cancer research in particular. I am now taking this area of interest further and doing my PhD with A/Prof D'Andrea, focusing on the characerisation of a potential novel tumor suppressor gene we believe may have a role in the development of acute myeloid leukaemia.
Leukaemia affects over 2500 Australians each year, and treatments often meet with limited success and can have debilitating side effects. Thus there is a distinct need for improved treatments however this can only be achieved with a clear understanding of the molecular processes involved. The work that I am undertaking as part of the D'Andrea laboratory focuses on these basic molecular processes, and by identifying new oncogenes or tumor suppressors involved with leukaemia we may one day be able to design treatments which specifically target these molecules. Through my time in the laboratory I've developed critical thinking and various research skills, and have enjoyed being to apply my problem solving skills to the challenges at hand. It has also been a fantastic opportunity for me to attend several conferences both nationally and internationally which have allowed me to extend my knowledge and investigate further career opportunities once I have completed my PhD.
