One of its top researchers will take centre stage when the Ingham Institute launches its Macarthur Pathways to Success schools vocational program next Monday, February 22 at Wests Leagues club Leumeah.
Lauren Bell, a PhD researcher who has just won a scholarship to study in Europe, will explain the pathway to medical research roles like hers.
She will also emphasise what a rewarding career it is finding improvements in the treatment of cancer.
Ms Bell currently works in the institute’s medical physics group, whose aim is to discover new improvements and methods for cancer treatment.
As part of her role, Ms Bell works on the use of MRI to improve radiotherapy cancer treatments.
This supports the institute’s flagship MRI-Linac cancer research project which is poised to improve the accuracy and precision of radiotherapy.
“My interest in medicine and science first began at the age of 11 when my younger sister was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at age nine,’’ Ms Bell sad.
“As I got older, I realised I wasn’t very suited to being a doctor or nurse, but the fascination with hospitals and medicine never left me.
“Then during my high school years I combined this with a love of maths and problem solving which led me to the path of medical physics.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It is so rewarding to know that your work is making a real difference to cancer treatment and has the potential to improve and save lives.”[/social_quote]
Ms Bell will also talk about her 2016 Endeavour Research Fellowship, which will enable her to travel to Oslo University Hospital in Norway to work alongside global leaders in radiotherapy.
The launch at Wests, which will get under way from 5:30pm, is designed for careers advisers, high school teachers and school leaders in the Macarthur region to learn more about the Ingham Institute’s exclusive vocational program for high school students in Year 10 and above who are interested in the fields of health, nursing and medical research.
The seminar will introduce the program to local Macarthur high schools and will also include talks from Ms Bell and other young successful Ingham Institute medical researchers and professionals.
“The Macarthur region has some of the best and brightest minds in their high school years,” says Ingham Institute community relationships manager and pathways to success coordinator Tracey Roberts.
“Our pathways to success program is really an opportunity that local schools should capitalise on to give their students a real pathway to progress and excel in the fields of science, nursing and medical research,’’ Ms Roberts said.
“It can be shaped to fit each individual school – comprising work experience placement programs, careers seminars and talks from Australia’s leading medical researchers at the Ingham Institute.”
Macarthur Year 11 high school student Chen Ling from Macquarie Fields High School recently completed a stint of work experience at the Ingham Institute as part of the program and reinforced the vocational benefits that the program can deliver.
Work experience is just one of many elements that comprise the institute’s pathways to success program.
“I have always had an interest in science, but my experience at the Ingham Institute really confirmed my decision to pursue a career path in medical research,” Chen Ling said.
“I got to shadow researchers working on real life experiments in the laboratory and even learnt how to extract human DNA from tissue cells.
“I would highly recommend that Macarthur high schools and students with an interest in health or science sign up for this fantastic program,” Chen Ling said.
The Ingham Institute’s pathways to success program in Macarthur has a big supporter in Western Suburbs Leagues Club.
Club CEO Tony Mathew said that he was delighted to support such an important program that will make a real difference to the future of Macarthur’s young people.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Wests Campbelltown strives to give back to the local community to empower them to achieve great things,’’ Mr Mathew said.[/social_quote]
“We are highly supportive of the Ingham Institute’s pathways to success program offered in local schools to assist our young people to make positive choices for their futures,” he said.
SNAPSHOT:
WHAT Ingham Institute Pathways to Success Information Evening;
WHEN Monday 22 February, 5pm for a 5:30pm start;
WHERE Western Suburbs Leagues Club;
REGISTER: Visit the website link here.
