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

Beating Breast Cancer
By Maggie Yuen

___Curiosity is the key ingredient to success in Science, according to Dr Margaret Faedo, a virologist at the South Eastern Area Laboratory Services at the Prince of Wales Hospital (SEALS). There were many steps along Margaret’s path to becoming a virologist. She completed a Bachelor of Food Science majoring in Microbiology at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). After graduating, she worked at the CSIRO on a project to design strategies to meet the research needs of all types of sciences.

___Margaret then spent ten years on another project at CSIRO, studying how fungi and parasites affect animals. During this time, she undertook a Masters Degree part-time at the University of Sydney. In the final stage of the project, she transferred to Denmark and completed a PhD. Now, Margaret is a team member in the Virology Division of the Microbiology Department of SEALS.

___So what are viruses? There is actually disagreement within the scientific community, but the general consensus is that viruses are a 'non-living' entity. They exist everywhere in the environment, like bacteria and other microorganisms, and can cause diseases in animals and humans, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the common flu.

___Margaret is studying a virus called Mammalian Mouse Tumor Virus (MMTV). Previous research has found that this virus is associated with 40% of breast cancer in mice and humans. Margaret studies the mechanism of infection in an attempt to learn more about the virus. She obtains tumor tissue samples from patients and tests them for evidence of infection by MMTV. This is her fourth year studying the virus, but the research is still in the early stages. She is likely to be working on this project for the next five years.

___As well as practical laboratory work, Margaret’s day involves many hours of paper work. Applying for grants for her project or publishing her research is a crucial part of Margaret’s work. Without funding, her research cannot continue. Without publications, sponsers are less likely to provide funding. Margaret applies to many different organizations for grants. The application process is very competitive, and it often results in a self perpetuating cycle: a lot of funding means a lot of research, a lot of publications, and recognition that lead to even more funding. Margaret explained that, to gain recognition, a scientist needs to have their research published in a well respected and highly read journal, such as Nature or Science.

___Margaret has never worked for a private company. In the private sector, she would have to focus on producing a particular product for profit. At the hospital, she feels that she has an ideal work environment. She can decide how to carry out her research and determine the direction it should take. Interesting challenges are what Margaret values most about her job.

___Outside work, Margaret likes to play tennis, attend yoga classes, watch bands perform, and go bush walking. She wishes that she had more time to travel, as she thinks living in other countries is a good experience. Working for the CSIRO, she spent time in Malaysia and Fiji, and she has recently been collaborating with scientists all over the world. Margaret believes that "Communication is important to scientists because they can get ideas and advice from others". Communication may also improve laboratory techniques and skills and update scientists on recent developments outside their own field of research.

___As she was growing up, Margaret considered many different careers, including law, business, and economics. However, her overwhelming curiosity about the world, and a passion to discover its secrets, made a career in Science the obvious choice. Margaret enjoys the constant challenge and stimulation of her career. She hopes more students will become fascinated by the many unsolved mysteries in the world and choose to pursue careers in Science.

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