Graduates
Succeeding in many spheres
Research degree graduates from the Sansom Institute have gone on to
establish successful careers in a wide range of fields, both in Australia
and internationally.
Whether they are working hard in laboratories to find cures to disease, in
lecture theatres inspiring a new generation of scientists, or applying their
knowledge to any number of occupations in the public and private sectors,
our graduates continue to do us proud through their many successes.
This page features a selection of some of the Sansom Institute and School of
Pharmacy and Medical Sciences’ recent research degree graduates. If you are
a graduate with news to share, please let us know by emailing
sansominstitute@unisa.edu.au
For University-wide graduate news and services, see the
UniSA alumni
website.
Featured graduates
- Dr Michael Sorich
- Dr Tongted Phumoonna
- Dr Tracy DeLozier
- Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam
- Dr Wendy Hart
- Dr Anthony Lucas
Dr Michael Sorich
Pharmacy
lecturer, UniSA
After completing his PhD research into molecular modelling of
UDP-glucuronosytransferase at the Sansom Institute in 2004, Dr Michael
Sorich took up a postdoctoral fellowship in Memphis where he worked on
research to improve treatments for childhood leukaemia. Michael returned to
UniSA in 2006 where he lectures in pharmacy and contributes to various
research projects.
“I’m a curious person, and so after completing an undergraduate pharmacy
degree I decided to continue on to research because I wanted to broaden my
career outlook. As well as pharmacy, I was interested in other areas like IT
and statistics, and a research degree allowed me to combine all of those
interests and set my own path.
“One of the main reasons I returned to work at UniSA was the fact that the
people are so friendly – it is a really enjoyable place to be.
“It’s a really exciting time to be at the Sansom Institute. In the last few
years the Institute has grown from an ambitious newcomer into a powerful
research concentration, enabling world-class research in a supportive yet
competitive environment.”
Dr Tongted Phumoonna
Research
fellow, Monash University
After completing her PhD at the Sansom Institute in 2005, Dr Tongted
Phumoonna took up a postdoctoral research fellowship at Monash University.
From working towards developing vaccines for foal flu, Tongted has gone on
to research aimed at developing better treatments for gangrene.
“I have worked in four university laboratories in three different countries
and I think UniSA compares extremely favourably. The scientific research
facilities are excellent, and the academic and technical staff are friendly,
knowledgeable and helpful.
“Doing research at the Sansom Institute not only broadened my scientific
knowledge, it also gave me the skills to take that knowledge from the ‘bench
to the market’. My PhD work helped secure two patents, and I also got
involved as a student representative in the Australian Society for
Microbiology, which strengthened my teamwork, decision-making and networking
abilities.
“My current research is quite different from my previous studies, but the
broad immunology and molecular biology knowledge base I gained at UniSA has
allowed me to adapt easily.
“I like the flexible nature of scientific research – it’s exiting and
challenging to take and develop an idea into a project that can have a real
impact on human or animal health.”
Dr Tracy DeLozier
Clinical
research program manager
Currently managing a study on environmental polymorphisms for a major
research organisation in the United States, Dr Tracy DeLozier gained her PhD
from UniSA in 2001. Her doctoral research, which looked at drug metabolism
and the influence of genetic background on individual responses, led to a
postdoctoral research fellowship with the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences in the US.
“I’m an American who was living in Adelaide when, encouraged by Professor
Ross McKinnon, I decided to pursue PhD studies. UniSA offered all the
support and facilities I needed, and I would have no hesitation in
recommending the Sansom Institute to other research students. I think the
quality of the Institute’s research and the staff would broaden the horizons
of any student who came through its doors.
“After completing my doctorate, I was able to take the research background
and knowledge I gained at UniSA to establish a career in drug metabolism
research in the United States. My PhD laid the groundwork for a five year
postdoctoral fellowship, which in turn led to my present position working on
the cutting edge of clinical research.
“Studying overseas opened my outlook tremendously. You get to experience the
world outside of your own country and culture. The education, culture, food,
wine and great friends I made have given me some wonderful memories that
will last a lifetime.”
Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam
Immunology lecturer, Charles Sturt University
Dr Thiru Vanniasinkam’s doctoral research focussed on a DNA vaccine for
Rhodococcus equi, a common disease affecting horses. After graduating from
UniSA in 2002, Dr Vanniasinkam undertook postdoctoral research at the Wistar
Institute in the USA, before accepting a position as an immunology lecturer
at Charles Sturt University in NSW. Her current research involves developing
novel vaccines for veterinary pathogens.
“The experience I gained as a research student at UniSA helped me establish
what’s become an extremely fulfilling career. By the time I’d finished my
PhD, I had two international patents, several publications in peer-reviewed
journals, and two international conference presentations to my name –
factors which helped me go on to win a postdoctoral research position in the
United States, and later return to an academic position in Australia.
“I’m now working as an immunology lecturer, which I love because it provides
a good balance between teaching and research. I take pleasure in passing on
the knowledge I’ve gained, engaging students in the learning process, and
fostering what I hope will become their lifelong interest in microbiology
and immunology.”
Dr Wendy Hart
Medical
scientist
Now working as a medical scientist for the Infectious Diseases Laboratories
at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS), Dr Wendy Hart
graduated from UniSA with a PhD in Biomedical Science in 2006 and a Master
of Applied Science (Biomedical Science) in 2002. Her PhD research provided
important information on the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance genes in
naturally-occurring bacteria.
“I have no reservations in recommending UniSA’s Sansom Institute to
prospective research students, because my experience was such a good one.
“My supervisors were fantastic. Professor Mary Barton was a knowledgeable
and empathetic teacher who made me feel at home from the start. I always
felt that I could go to her and she would have time for me. Dr Michael
Heuzenroeder co-supervised, allowing me to carry out practical work at the
IMVS, which taught me a lot about public health and lead to the work I’m
doing now in the same laboratory.
“My current role involves an interesting mix of diagnostic and research
work. I’ve been responsible for HIV genotyping and diagnostic testing for
Norovirus, as well as performing tests for antibiotic resistance genes and
screening for E. coli. I’ve also published several papers on my research and
am a reviewer for the Journal of Applied Microbiology.
“Like every other postgraduate student I have met, there were times when I
wondered what I was doing, but now I look back and feel proud of myself and
my achievements, and grateful to UniSA for giving me the opportunity.”
Dr Anthony Lucas
Senior research scientist, ELANCO Animal Health (USA)
Dr Anthony Lucas’ PhD research looked into the interactions of conventional
drugs and a group of plant-derived compounds commonly found in diets and
used in complementary medicines. After graduating from UniSA in 2003,
Anthony went on to a postdoctoral fellowship at the Higuchi Biosciences
Center in Kansas. He is now employed as senior research scientist at a
US-based company, helping to develop products to improve animal health.
“Completing a research program at UniSA played a vital role in helping me
establish an international career in pharmaceutical research and
development.
“My supervisor, Professor Allan Evans, was dedicated, knowledgeable and an
excellent role model.
“I’d absolutely recommend the Sansom Institute as a good training ground for
aspiring research scientists. UniSA gave me the fundamental skills I needed:
how to critically evaluate a problem, design an experiment, test an idea,
analyse the results, and write it up so that others can understand what you
did and why.”