Meet Kate Mullany who is a PhD Student in the Gene Therapy Research Unit.

What is your background?

I grew up on the South Coast near Nowra as the eldest of 5 kids in a busy, noisy, crazy, loving household. I completed my university training in Science (Biology) at the University of Wollongong and dabbled in some climate science research, before being accepted into medical school. After graduating medicine, I trained in Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Westmead Children's Hospital.

What attracted you to science?

As a clinician, I am so privileged to be able to help sick kids and their families every day in a meaningful way. However, sometimes there are no treatments that I can offer. The opportunity to do a PhD represented a chance to try and find solutions to problems we can't fix yet, and in doing so help my patients that little bit more.

What does your typical day look like?

I'm still pretty new, but the Gene Therapy Research Unit (GTRU) and CMRI have be so wonderful in helping me find my feet. I'm learning lab techniques, designing experiments and still popping over to the children's hospital to do some shifts on the floor. Each day brings something different and exciting.

What is your favourite part of the job?

Being part of the GTRU at CMRI feels like I'm at the interface of clinical medicine and cutting-edge research. It's very inspiring to being part of such a team.

Learn more about our Gene Therapy Research Unit here.