Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Life Sciences, The University of Warwick

“Initially, I just wanted to be a researcher and travel the world. Now, as I start my own research group, my goal is to establish myself as a scientist and help train the next generation, especially women, to find their passion in science. I want to encourage others to be excited about research and to create a team that produces quality, dependable science.

"I grew up on a small farm in rural New Zealand, I was good at PE, and geography in school, but found science more challenging. My brother was at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, so I applied for a degree in biochemistry to join him. My curiosity and passion for the structure and beauty of proteins hooked me on research and I won a scholarship for a PhD at the University of Auckland, considered the best university in New Zealand at the time.

“As I advanced in my degree, I became more excited, especially when we started doing projects. I found a love for practical work in the lab. I was fascinated by how proteins, though tiny, do incredible things in our bodies and in the world. The fact that I could discover something no one else had seen before made the work even more exciting.

"I’d like to train the next generation, particularly women coming through, to be excited about what they do, because if you're not passionate then the pressure of having to publish in this super competitive environment gets too much.

“During my PhD, having a group of women around me—like the “Miley Mondays” where we’d listen to Miley Cyrus songs while working—was crucial in lifting me up during tough times. I realised at this time that women, tended to wait until they feel their work is truly remarkable before talking about it so building a supportive community in science, whether through women or male mentors, is so important to boosting confidence and overcoming challenges. Then during my Postdoc I learnt that you don't have to know everything to succeed in science. People love being asked about what they do, and I realised I could talk to Colleagues without having a strong knowledge base in their field/technique, and it is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate and learn.”