Can you describe your role at the Malaria Centre ?

I am one of the Student Liaison Officers (SLO). Together with my fellow SLO Jillian, I organise outreach opportunities to promote the work of the Malaria centre to students, foster collaborations across the different centres at the School and give a platform to early career researchers to share their important work. Together we aim to represent the student voice in the work of the Malaria centre.

What motivated you to become an SLO?

Malaria (and parasites in general!) fascinate me. Inherent within the disease process is a collaborative relationship between host, vector and parasite, the cumulation of which can have devastating effects. I wanted to join the centre to meet other like-minded people who are tackling this disease from all angles and understand where I might find a place in it all.

Growing up as an aspiring medic, I was greatly influenced by outreach and education events, so I wished to use this opportunity to play my part in inspiring and educating others.

What were your childhood aspirations?

I mainly aspired towards reading any book I could get my hands on! I went through a Legally Blonde phase and fancied myself as a barrister for a short while; I liked how Elle Woods worked to prove everyone wrong and show its foolish to underestimate people (that reading is probably unnecessarily deep).

Who is your childhood idol and why?

My mum. As cliché as it sounds, she has given everything to myself and my siblings. We were (and still are) taught the value of education and persistence, without both of which I don’t think I would have made it this far.

What's the most enjoyable aspect of working with other SLOs and Centre members?

Feeding off everyone’s passion. Once you begin to break down ‘problems’ such as Malaria you realise their complexity and the scale of the challenges we face. I find the weird and wonderful things all of us are interested in so inspiring and really admire the help we are all willing to lend each other as we chip away at such challenges.

Where do you envision yourself post-MSC/PhD?

Post-MSc I hope to work towards a PhD, potentially on cerebral co-infection. In the meantime, I am looking to do some further research in the next academic year expanding on my work in neurological infection and migrant health.

Is there a personal mantra or philosophy that guides your life?

Health is wealth!

Any words of wisdom or inspiration for your fellow Centre members?

Give opportunities to juniors – I am so grateful to my own supervisors for giving me a foot in the door and trusting me to carry out some of their work.