Micro/Immuno Intro | Goggles & Labcoats | Breast Cancer | Extremophiles | Tuberculosis

Not All Goggles and Labcoats
By Cherie Lay

___Want to be involved in the cutting edge of Science? Yearn to travel the world? Think that Science should be about helping people? Welcome to the life of Professor Hazel Mitchell of the University of New South Wales (UNSW). A typical ‘Day in Science’ sees Hazel directing PhD and honours students in the process of extracting micro-organisms (from faeces!), lecturing and tutoring students in Bacteria and Disease, and writing grants to fund her research.

___Hazel completed her degree in Biological Sciences with honours in Microbiology at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. She then completed a Diploma of Education and finally earned her PhD in Microbiology at UNSW.

___Hazel begins work at 7:30am with administration duties like writing grant applications. Who said that being a scientist is all about lab coats and ‘dorky’ goggles? Grants are essential for Hazel’s research on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to progress. H. pylori, a pathogenic bacterium, is the major cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The Cancer Council currently funds Hazel’s H. pylori research and has done so for the past two years. She is presently writing to the Australian Research Council requesting a linkage grant for her Probiotics research. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria involved in anti-carcinogenic activity. A linkage grant provides funds for two or more parties (often a university and a company) involved in particular research. Hazel is working with a company that produces probiotics. She is looking at whether taking probiotics can help reduce the severity of disease in mice already affected with H. Pylori.

___Hazel is fascinated by H. Pylori because it can cause gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease in a small percentage of the population while the majority of carriers do not experience any problems. Hazel and her team investigates the causal relationship between H. Pylori and stomach cancer. They infect mice with the bacteria to determine whether H. Pylori will colonise in the stomach and cause cancer. Hazel also conducts research in countries like China, South Africa, and Malaysia, where H. Pylori affects many people.

___After some administrative work, Hazel goes into her laboratory to check the progress of her students. She analyses their procedures for extracting micro-organisms and DNA from mice faeces and gel preparations used to separate the extracted DNA mixture. The DNA strains are then compared to determine if H. Pylori is present in any of the mice.

___In the afternoon, Hazel meets a friend for lunch. Time management is vital for an academic scientist if they wish to factor leisure time into their schedule. Outside work, Hazel makes time for her husband and three children, whom she looks after at home. She sings in a choir and takes regular walks with friends. Having a balanced lifestyle is very important.

___After lunch, Hazel rushes off to her third-year Bacteria and Disease laboratory class to supervise an exam. She then gives a tutorial on the upcoming mid-session exam, emphasising the importance of proper essay construction.

___The preparation of ‘up-to-date’ lecture material is an important aspect of Hazel’s working life. Hazel finds lecturing rewarding. She appreciates seeing students’ excitement for science and their determination to succeed. Hazel also finds satisfaction in being a research scientist because she enjoys helping students and getting to know them individually.

___‘A Day in the Life of a Scientist’ does not portray Hazel’s work life in its entirety. Once a week, Hazel visits with paediatric gastroenterologists at the Prince of Wales Hospital investigating inflammatory bowel diseases. The paediatric gastroenterologists are involved in performing endoscopies, where a fibre optic tube is inserted into the stomach to take biopsies or tissue samples. Hazel collects the biopsy samples, which often include H. Pylori, and cultures them.

___Hazel is a member of a panel involved in judging microbiology grants submitted to the National Health and Medical Research Council. This process involves discussing submissions and deciding whether or not to fund research based on the validity and worthiness of the study.

___Toward the end of the day, Hazel returns to her paperwork. Even though being an academic scientist seems like hard work, Hazel does not regret her choice. Her high school ambition was to study medicine, but she is glad to have completed a Biological Sciences degree specialising in microbiology.

___There is a huge variety in the day to day work of an academic scientist like Hazel. From wearing lab coats, to ‘cruising’ through paperwork, fascinating students about the world of diseases, and flying around the world, science is not just about goggles and lab coats!

Micro/Immuno Intro | Goggles & Labcoats | Breast Cancer | Extremophiles | Tuberculosis