Photo:

Kym Pyke

Favourite Thing: I like to learn about the world around me. If I have something I’m not sure how it works, I like to investigate and see how it operates, and fits in with everything around it. The best thing about my job is that I work in a lab with people who like to play and learn like I do, so we can have fun with science every day!

My CV

School:

Roxby Downs Area School 1994-1998

University:

2000-2003 James Cook University, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

Work History:

Moree District Hospital for St Vincent’s Pathology, Biochemistry Department Scientist for SJOG Pathology, Scientist in Charge Hollywood Laboratory for SJOG Pathology

Employer:

St John of God Pathology – Geraldton Laboratory

Current Job:

Advanced Medical Scientist

Me and my work

I work in a pathology lab, testing blood and other pathology samples for diseases so that doctors can treat patients with the proper medications/treatment.

My Typical Day

There is no typical day! Everyday is different which is why I look forward to going to work so much. Some days I don’t even know what time my day will start….it could be the middle of the night!!

In my lab we do haematology, biochemistry, transfusion, basic microbiology, urine drugs of abuse screening and blood gas testing.  Any more complex testing is collected and flown each night to Perth for testing.

Since my lab is part of a hospital the 4 scientists also work on-call, so some weeks we can be called in anytime of the night to do blood tests (normally for transfusions).

What I'd do with the money

I would put it toward the SJOG project to help set up a pathology lab in East Timor

My Interview

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

focussed, quiet, confident

Who is your favourite singer or band?

Powderfinger

What is the most fun thing you've done?

travelled on a Lions youth exchange to Austria

If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

to be healthy, to be able to take my husband to meet my Austrian family, to have kids

What did you want to be after you left school?

a scientist of some sort!

Were you ever in trouble in at school?

nope….I was a nerd

What's the best thing you've done as a scientist?

helped to implement a new test procedure in my company that is still being used today.

Tell us a joke.

Do you want to hear a joke about sodium? Na

Sports followed

AFL

Favourite team

Adelaide Crows