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Jenny is a medical researcher working in the area of cancer genetics at a Sydney hospital. |
In which area or areas of science do you work?
Cancer biology, or the underlying mechanisms which covert normal calls to tumour cells.
When did you first become interested in this career?
I have been interested in a career in science for almost as long as I can remember; I became interested in medical research at about age 14.
How did you first become interested in this career?
I wanted to do something which would help people, while satisfying my curiosity at the same time.
What education and training do you have to have for your job?
I did a B Sc in physiology and biochemistry, followed by an Honours degree in physiology, a PhD in cancer genetics, and post-doctoral training in cancer genetics and biology.
How long did it take you to get the necessary qualifications?
About 13 years, including post-doctoral training
How has your career progressed?
After working as a post-doctoral fellow for about 5 years, I was given the opportunity to start my own research group.
What course of study would you recommend to someone who thinks they might be interested in a career in medical research?
I think that it wise to keep options open for as long as possible. This could be done by perhaps doing a basic science degree, and some laboratory work experience during that time, and then choosing to do medicine as a post-graduate degree if a patient-focussed career is still appealling. Many medical doctors are of course engaged in research, but most of these are not carrying out research on a full-time basis.
How did you know that medical research was for you?
I decided to become a scientist because even as a child, I loved discovering things for the first time, and going where (I thought) no-one else had been before. This consisted of spending a lot of time fossicking in the corners of my parent's farm, and cluttering up our house with no doubt very irritating collections of insects, feathers and the like. However, at University I understood that none of the things that I had "discovered" were actually new. Somewhat paradoxically, it seemed that the scientific "wide-open spaces" of the late 20th century were actually found within our own bodies. I learned that we still don't know how the smallest building blocks of life, cells, function on their own, and that we certainly don't know how several trillion cells wire together to form a human being. I also saw how this lack of understanding logically extends beyond the healthy body to diseases such as cancer. I therefore decided to become a medical researcher, and ultimately specialised in the study of childhood cancer for my PhD. I strongly believed that this would be a useful career, while still allowing me to "go where no-one else had gone before".
Is there anyway to experience medical research before deciding on it as a career?
The best way to find out is by trying doing research "on a small scale". Most people find that actually working on a laboratory and doing research is quite different from what they would have imagined. Most Universities offer summer placements in laboratories where you can carry out a short project over 8-12 weeks, usually with a more senior scientist to help you. Some University courses involve carrying out a research project as well. Some secondary schools also help school students organise laboratory work experience placements, but these are usually for only one week.
What are the tasks that you do in a typical day?
Discussing scientific results with lab members, planning and discussing experiments with international colleagues on the Internet, writing and reviewing research grant applications, reports, and scientific papers.
What skills do you use in your job?
Thinking analytically and (hopefully) creatively, communicating clearly and precisely, applying 10 years of practical experience to help others achieve success with their experiments.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
>Being right out on the edge of what's known in my own area of biology and cancer!
What is the most exciting aspect of your job?
...the idea that in 5 or 10 years, our work will be making a difference to how cancer is diagnosed or treated.
What do you enjoy least about your job?
...the pressure of constantly needing to search for money...
What are some alternative jobs that you would be qualified for?
University lecturer, researcher in industry, advisor on science policy, ...
What are some of the advantages to working in this field?
There is more funding for cancer research than for many other diseases.
What are some of the disadvantages to working in this field?
Luck is always a component of research success, and it's hard to control luck!
How has your work contributed to science?
We have identified 4 human genes for the first time, and have provided new information regarding the function of others.
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This image shows a cancer specimen stained to show expression of a cancer marker which Jenny and her team discovered. |
How has your work benefited society?
It hasn't yet, but it's only a matter of time (we think so, anyway)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Working in research, doing more of the same, and seeing the clinical application of our work.
Find out more about medical research and cancer genetics
If you wish to ask Jenny for additional information, you can email UniServe Science and we will contact Jenny for you. Make sure you include Jenny's name and occupation in the Subject line.
Useful Links for medical research
Useful Links for cancer genetics
Cancer Genetics from Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Victorian Family Cancer Genetics Service
Molecular Genetics of Cancer Division - the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
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For further information contact
Kaye Placing
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