Young Bugs Banter
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Young Bugs Banter Catherine Gangell Wendy McDonald Joanne Clarke Honours Student PhD Student PhD Student Arbovirus Surveillance Department of Biotechnology and and Research Lab Environmental Biology Dept of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia RMIT University Macquarie University Tel: (08) 9346 2212 Bundoora Campus, Vic 3083 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (08) 9346 4866 Tel: (03) 9925 7134 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] In this issue of YBB we feature interviews New Young Bug WA combined AIMS/ with three students currently undertaking Greetings to all Young Bugs in Victoria, ASM/ASOC country weekend postgraduate studies, Megan Lloyd from On a chilly, rainy May day we dragged University of Western Australia, Perth, Blair I’m Philip Button. Presently I’m in the ourselves to the Emerald Colonial Lodge Nield from Macquarie University, Sydney process of taking over from Wendy and Zdenka Karakas from RMIT University, McDonald as student rep on the Victorian in Margaret River for an 08:30 start. After Melbourne. The interviews highlight their Branch Committee. an introduction and APACE overview by reasons for undertaking further study, Rod Bowman and Jeff Jago respectively, their experiences and challenges. Firstly, some brief background info about the programme began in earnest. myself – I’m a PhD student in the School We welcome Philip Button as the new Professor George Stewart amused the of Agriculture and Food Systems at The YBB editor for Victoria and student room with his fascination for Rod University of Melbourne and based at representative to the Victorian branch of Bowman’s dirty, torn sneaker. It was Food Science Australia, Werribee. For my ASM and say goodbye and thanks to suggested that it would be a great source Wendy who is in the final stages of her project, I’m looking at spoilage of dairy of forensic evidence. His colourful PhD. We also have a report from Belinda products caused by bacterial enzymes. anecdotes from many years studying Clark on the combined AIMS/ASM/ASOC forensics were both incredible and country weekend. I am passionate and enthusiastic about alluring. It was a most enjoyable talk from microbiology and student involvement in the professor who definitely knows his Retiring Young Bug professional associations, and so I am subject microscopically. Goodbye from me to all our YBB readers. very pleased to be on the Victorian After devouring scones at morning tea, I am nearing the end of my PhD studies Branch Committee. One piece of advice the groups were split for more targeted and thought it timely to hand over to a to all students – take full advantage of all sessions. The ASM session included a new student editor. I have greatly the fantastic things on offer to you by the mycology review by Professor David Ellis enjoyed my time as a YBB editor and ASM like discounted membership, and the alarming resistance update by Jan would like to thank the many students conference registration and Microbiology Bell. Lunch break allowed for plenty of who have supported my endeavours by Australia, attend the many wonderful discussion on previous sessions before providing articles and being willing events on offer, make the most of the interviewees. I would also like to thank we all merged for a wine information talk. opportunity to meet some great fellow Natalie (past editor), Joanne and Allison Barraclough gave a riveting microbiologists, as well as lots more. We Catherine for their enthusiasm and overview of marketing within Medical at the ASM are here to make your careers support. I am also very thankful to Prof. Science. She was bombarded with more fulfilling (even if, as a student, you Peter Coloe and Assoc. Prof. Margaret questions, as this area did not seem very Deighton for encouraging me to apply for are in the very early years of your career), well publicised. the position of YBB editor. Finally I wish so visit our branch website or contact me HIV diagnosis advances were discussed Philip all the best in his new role and look to find out the ways to become active in by Dr Peter Phillips before the very topical forward to reading future editions of YBB. your professional association, the ASM! SARS update. The SARS discussion got Wendy McDonald Philip Button rather heated and had to be cut off to 44 MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA • JULY 2003 Young Bugs Banter allow time for the last official component of his travels around the world. Dr molecular prospecting group (CMP) at of the day, the brainteaser quiz. Leanne Sammels, postdoctoral fellow at Macquarie University, studying novel the University of Western Australia, genes from environmentally sourced Although we had scoffed chocolate cake informed us of her career and education integrons. When that concluded I started during afternoon tea, our brains were just history, and gave us some sound advice my PhD. not up for the challenge. The current on postgraduate study. affairs questions were tough as we only Megan: I worked during the final year of have time to study, not watch TV or read Mr Rod Bowman and Sharlene Andrijich my undergraduate degree in bacteriology the paper every day. Luckily we teamed spoke at both university evenings. Rod, at Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital in up with some smart scientists who do the managing scientist at PathCentre, a variety of clinical areas within a seem to have plenty of time for this sort discussed the employment opportunities microbiology discipline. I continued to of behaviour, as they knew the answers! and the necessary information needed for work there for another year in the applying for a job in the microbiology Rickettsial research laboratory although I This concluded the day for the students; field. Sharlene discussed the research also worked, when required, in the the wealthier scientists went on to enjoy and development areas in the Defence clinical laboratory. wine and dinner at Xanadu. It was a great Science and Technology Organisation day and everyone seemed to enjoy (DSTO). She also discussed the prospect I then worked in a clinical laboratory at themselves. Looking forward to the next of further education in the defence force. Katherine District Hospital in the one... Northern Territory for 2.5 years. I initially After the presentations students, speakers worked in a voluntary capacity for several Belinda Clark and invited guests stayed behind to months until I became proficient in areas WA Student Careers Evening discuss in detail the prospects of further that I had no experience with such as education and careers in microbiology blood transfusion, haematology and The Student Careers Evenings at Curtin over drinks and nibbles. biochemistry. University and The University of Western Australia took place on 26-27 May. A big thankyou to all the students who In 1995 we moved to Perth and I began Although there was a poor attendance of participated in the evenings and all the working in a research laboratory (I was students, the evenings were very speakers and invited guests who gave up very happy to change direction again) and informative and extremely useful to the their valuable time to encourage students worked for 3 years as a research assistant students who did choose to be involved. and help them with any questions they before beginning my PhD studies in the had about employment and further middle of 1998. My supervisors made a At the Curtin University of Technology education in microbiology. strong case to the university for me to be evening, Associate Professor Erik able to move straight into a PhD based on Helmerhorst from Curtin University gave Catherine Gangell my work history, publication history from an excellent presentation on the the Rickettsial research work and results prospects of postgraduate education, and Postgradute study interviews from a Graduate Diploma of Human the reasons for and against continuing What was your Nutrition from Deakin University that I education to a higher level. Ms Frances undergraduate training? completed as a distance education O’Brien, a PhD student from Curtin Blair: I studied a BSc (Biotechnology) at student while in Katherine. University, presented an informative UTS, Sydney. description of her experience in studying Zdenka: Yes, I have been working as a at university and her current Doctor of Megan: Bachelor of Applied Science specialist medical translator for the last Philosophy (PhD) degree. Mr Steve (Applied Biology), RMIT, Melbourne. four years. Munyard, the chief scientist at Mayne/Western Diagnostic Pathology, gave Zdenka: I have a Bachelor Degree in What type of postgraduate study an explanation of his career in science, Veterinary Science, University of Zagreb, are you undertaking and are you and some helpful advice to students. Croatia. undertaking it full- or part-time? Blair: I’m studying a PhD, full time. At the evening at The University of Did you work before undertaking Western Australia, Dr Sato Juniper from postgraduate study? If yes, what Megan: I am undertaking a PhD part-time. UWA student services gave an type of employment and how long? Zdenka: I am completing a Masters encouraging outlook on the possibility of Blair: Yes, I worked as a research assistant Course in Applied Microbiology and postgraduate study in the field of in the immunobiology unit (IBU) at UTS, Biotechnology. I’m doing it on a full-time microbiology, as well as providing researching phospholipase A2 enzymes basis, and should complete my studies in information on prerequisites and the and inhibitors. I worked there for one November. composition of the various postgraduate year before starting a MSc (ecotoxicology) degrees available. Associate Professor (full time) and continued to work in the Peter Franzmann from the Environmental Why did you decide to embark on same place while I completed the MSc.