I first started at WEHI in 2017 as a Career Trackers intern. I then transitioned into an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) internship during 2018.
Being positioned within the Sleebs Lab of the Chemical Biology division gave me great insight into the day-to-day working of a research institute. Dr Brad Sleebs and Dr William Nguyen provided an opportunity for me to experience hands-on lab work, which included the synthesis and work-up of small molecule inhibitors that were targeted at the BCL-like apoptotic pathway found within the schistosoma worm.
This granted me an opportunity to experience what it was like to work on a real-world project within a worldclass lab. I am very thankful for this opportunity.
During my Career Trackers internship, I joined WEHI’s Reconciliation Committee of which I am still an external member. This has been a great experience where I have been able to advocate for Indigenous opportunities within a very respectful and friendly environment.
The Career Trackers program was a great steppingstone, that provided the opportunity to work at WEHI and experience what the research field had to offer, while also being a part of a community of deadly Koori interns.