I chose the University mainly because of Wellington city. I wanted to study outside Auckland, and have new experiences. After visiting the campus and looking at the programme, I knew I would enjoy it. Biomedical Science is a relatively small programme and this means smaller classes and a more efficient, personal learning environment.

How the degree is structured means that you can choose your subjects year to year and amend it easily depending on the courses you have enjoyed most. You can create a personalised degree right from the beginning.

The lecturers are great, the amount of knowledge you can accumulate over a short three years is astounding. People are so friendly and easy to approach if you ever have questions. The interactive laboratory classes are useful for applying the theoretical knowledge you learn in lectures in a practical way.

Making friends who have the same interests and goals was fantastic. I was able to form a network, where we all helped each other along in our studies. The University also gave me the means to meet my potential to be accepted into the Honours programme, which is something I would not have achieved without the help of peers and staff.

I have gained skills to critically think about what I am learning, and distinguish between information that is necessary and information that is only fluff. This is a skill that’s useful in all areas of life—from an academic setting to a commercial setting, and even in your personal life.

An interest in science led Natasha to enrol for a Biomedical Science degree, which has turned to dreams of becoming a doctor.

“I was drawn to Biomedical Science because of my interest in the natural world and the potential ability to be able to methodologically understand it.”

Natasha plans to continue on to study a PhD at Victoria University of Wellington or enrol in a Bachelor of Surgery to become a doctor.

The University has provided her with the knowledge to head out into the world, says Natasha.

“The atmosphere is enjoyable both in the social and academic aspects of university life. University has its challenges but the life skills and thinking skills you derive are irreplaceable.

“There are many opportunities to get involved in clubs. Plus, there is an amazing set of staff, a great student representation group (VUWSA) and an enjoyable social atmosphere.”

The focus of Anne's research is immune regulation. She's investigating how the immune system teaches itself to react properly—asking questions like: “What regulates the immune response?” and “What is the role of the different immune cells and how do they change over time?”

As well as lecturing at the University Anne runs the multiple sclerosis (MS) research programme at the Malaghan Institute. The programme is trying to understand why MS develops and what drives the process. This research could enable new treatments for MS to be developed.

Anne also works with clinicians at Wellington Hospital within the cardio-vascular research group. “We're trying to understand the role of platelets in acute coronary syndrome. Platelets interact with immune cells: they can alter immune function. And immune function can alter platelet function. What does this mean for acute coronary disease?”

Anne is involved in the University's Centre for Biodiscovery as well. “We're trying to understand if any compounds from natural sources are useful to modify the immune system in some way.”

Anne's first degree was in Molecular Biology, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She saw it as a ticket into the Peace Corps—and after graduating, got a post in Cameroon. While she was there, she became fascinated with disease. “There were a lot of interesting tropical diseases, especially parasitic diseases.”

Anne then did an MSc and PhD at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she worked with a tropical medicine doctor. This was followed by a post-doctoral fellowship studying parasitic worms at Cornell University in New York.

External factor, such as chemicals found in plastics and recreational drugs can influence the cell-to-cell communication that happens in the ovary, as Kelly discovered during her PhD study.

“My research was focused on female fertility. I found that the communication pathways of the cells inside the ovaries are susceptible to external factors, which suggests they reduce the quality of the egg and may contribute to infertility.”

After graduating, Kelly spent three years in the United States as a postdoctoral fellow, working at two different institutes – Middlebury College, in Vermont and the University of Tennessee. “I learnt new research techniques, mentored students, taught classes and attended conferences.”

“My experience at university, and, particularly, the supervisors I worked with, were instrumental in being able to secure postdoctoral positions overseas.”

Kelly is now back in New Zealand and in a role at AuramerBio, a biotech company that arose out of research done at this University. AuramerBio develops sensing technologies and diagnostic tests using aptamers, an antibody alternative.

Her advice for future students is to “consider the career that you want after you’ve finished your PhD and try to get experience that will help you get there. There are always opportunities to get experience teaching or mentoring that will give you a leg up when applying for jobs.”