I was awarded my PhD in molecular biology from Monash University on May 31st, 2017, where I specialised in Epigenetics and Chromatin remodelling. My project was supported with a Post-thesis Bridging Scholarship which allowed me to contribute to the publication of “Sex-based Mhrt methylation chromatinizes MeCP2 in the heart” in iSCIENCE (2019).

In 2018-2020, I joined MCRI as a Post-Doc in the Paediatric Surgery Research Team within the Clinical Sciences department. My knowledge and skills in the field of Paediatric Surgery as lead to 2 first-author, 1 co-first author and 4 co-author papers as well as collaborations with multiple laboratories internationally. I was awarded the MCRI catalyst grant to present my work in New Zealand in 2019. Here our team was awarded first prize for oral presentations within the scientific division. After completing PhD student supervisor training from Melbourne University in the department of Paediatrics, I supervised three honours students, along with a PhD and a Master of Philosophy student. I was recognised for my supervising efforts by being awarded MCRI supervisor and mentor staff prize in December 2019. During my time at MCRI, I have volunteered my time and support to the MCRI post doc society as a co-member working on the newsletter, MCRI Inclusion and Diversity Committee co-member within the women in science division and participated within the MCRI mentoring program in 2018 where I was able to meet and gain valuable career advice and friendship.

In 2020, I made a strategic decision to change my research focus from clinical surgery to stem cell research to follow my interests in haematopoiesis. I have had the privilege to work with Prof. Andrew Elefanty, Prof. Ed Stanley and Dr. Elizabeth Ng in investigating the differentiation of haematopoietic stem cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells. My Post-Doc project aims to establish procedures for generating functional blood stem cells in the laboratory that could be used in place of human bone marrow for the treatment of leukemia and other blood disorders. This project involves iterative testing of different protocols of blood stem cells which we are generating in the lab and transplant them into mice to evaluate the reconstitution of these cells in the mouse system. Working on this project extensively over the last year we have generated substantial amount of data demonstrating the success of the transplantation, and in more detail the types of cells that are present before and after that engraftment process.