Student profiles

Luke Lambeth
Bachelor of Biological Science (Hons)

DEAKIN Biological Science graduate Luke Lambeth’s study of avian health could have far-reaching implications around the world in the future.  Mr Lambeth is a research scientist in the Avian Oncogenic Viruses Group at the Institute for Animal Health in Compton, UK.  He is developing an enhanced vaccine to help control Marek’s Disease Virus, which is a chicken virus that is an extremely widespread oncogenic (cancer-causing) member of the herpesvirus family.  The study’s implications could potentially be transferred to the much-publicised bird flu.

He said he had not originally chosen to study microbiology, but had always had an interest in furthering our understanding of life.  "I began my undergraduate degree in Biological Science because I was always interested in nature and the environment.  As I progressed through the degree my interest in molecular biology developed and after completing my research-based honours year, I decided that I wanted to be a research science."

The decision has paid off, with Mr Lambeth enjoying the challenges and rewards of working in a laboratory.  "This job provides me with the freedom to develop and explore my own ideas, while at the same time contributing the overall objectives of the laboratory.  The nature of this work means that the tasks at hand are always changing and constantly presenting new challenges to overcome and can therefore offer very rewarding outcomes," he said.

Mr Lambeth believes he was fortunate to have been provided with a strong foundation of knowledge at Deakin from which to choose the direction he has followed in his career.  "An initial foundation of knowledge was achieved through a variety of sciences in addition to biology, including chemistry, maths and physics," he said.  "Subsequently, the course involved studies in a wide range of related subjects which allowed me to better decide which areas of research I enjoyed most."

In the future he aims to contribute to knowledge in the field of microbiology in Australia and overseas before setting up his own lab to contribute to the understanding and prevention of viral infections in animals.