Rebecca's PhD journey
Rebecca Edgar is a parasitologist who studies the human malaria parasite plasmodium falciparum. She uses a range of molecular and cellular biology techniques to discover the essentiality and function of parasite proteins in the hope to characterise them as novel drug targets.
What was your PhD research project about?
We don’t really have malaria in Australia, but it is prevalent in Africa and South-East Asia. What we’ve found is that the parasites mutate against the drugs that we use to treat people and there becomes widespread resistance. Essentially, my research project is trying to find novel antimalarial drugs so we will be able to combat this resistance. We’re trying to stop the digestive pathway that is unique and important to the parasite and stop them eating our red blood cells.
At Deakin you’re not just doing a PhD, you are being immersed in a community. PhD students become like a family. You’re constantly bouncing ideas off them, and they’re there for you on your good days and your bad days. Once you form those connections, they will last a lifetime.
Rebecca Edgar
What motivated you to pursue research in your chosen area?
I always thought I was going to be a medical doctor, so I did an undergraduate degree in biomedicine. Offhandedly, I went to an honours information evening where I met my supervisor, Professor Tania De Koning-Ward, who is a Professor of Molecular Microbiology, and fell in love with the idea of research. I went into a masters program with her as my supervisor, and I knew that I didn’t want to leave. I knew that I would get the support I needed for my PhD at Deakin. The one thing I’ll suggest if you’re considering a PhD is to pick a better supervisor over a project that appeals to you, because at the end of the day it’s not the project that’s going to get you through.
What future aspirations do you have for your research?
Although it might not happen for a while yet, we are getting closer and closer to trials of a potential antimalarial in combination with other drugs. I think that’s what everyone wants when they work in disease research – a cure. That is the goal and that’s what I really hope to see come from this.
What has been the best aspect of doing a PhD at Deakin?
At Deakin you’re not just doing a PhD, you are being immersed in a community. PhD students become like a family. You’re constantly bouncing ideas off them, and they’re there for you on your good days and your bad days. Once you form those connections, they will last a lifetime. I have a very supportive supervisor – she has done great work and received great funding. I think that having a supportive supervisor is the most important part of a PhD. Also, the facilities are Deakin are great at the School of Medicine at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, as well as our technical team. When we want to implement or try new things, they’re always willing to help and get things off the ground.
What are your future career ambitions?
I’d like to stay working in malaria as I’ve taken so much time to learn about it. Perhaps I will do a post-doctoral role overseas and gain some experience in different laboratories. I guess like any scientist I am going to be chasing the funding, especially early on in my career.
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