Can you explain your
research?
I work with Dr. James Harris and
Professor Eric Morand as an immunologist/cell biologist. My area of research aims to elucidate the roles of
innate immune cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, as well as understand
how normal catabolic processes, e.g. autophagy, can influence host immune responses
in autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE,
lupus) and arthritis. I am also currently investigating the mechanisms
through which macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) influences
inflammatory cytokine responses, specifically in autoimmune diseases.
What
skills do you have that you could share with your colleagues?
Through my
work I have developed a fairly broad set of experimental techniques. My main area of expertise is in cell biology and molecular
biology. I am proficient in a number of cell based assays which include
culturing of both established and primary derived cell cultures, cell
proliferation assays, ELISAs and luciferase reporter assays. In the molecular
department I am very experienced in qPCR, western blot analysis and
co-immunoprecipitations. I have also used confocal microscopy for
co-localisation studies.
When
you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was 12 years old I watched the movie As the band
played on. It was a very moving film about an epidemiologist and his quest
into finding a cure and putting more research into HIV/AIDS. This movie had a
profound effect on me and from that day onwards I had a passion and knew I
wanted to become a scientific researcher to help humanity.
What
do you enjoy doing outside work?
I am a very sociable and fun loving person who enjoys
the outdoors, so on weekends I like to go out with friends and explore new
places around Melbourne and surrounds. I also like to do some kind of physical
activity such as dancing, go for runs or walks and sometimes indulge in a game
of pitch and putt golf. In the summer going to the beach, snorkelling, sea
kayaking, camping and hiking are a must.
Something
your work colleagues probably don’t know about you?
I am a bit of
a revhead. I love motorsport…..not so much watching it on TV but actually
driving fast cars. I have driven V8 supercars around Sandown racecourse and I
love tearing up the track go-karting. Love the adrenalin of going fast!!
A Monash University Paediatrics Education and Research
Precinct will be part of the new Monash Children’s Hospital at Clayton thanks
to a recent funding commitment by the University.
