I love reading crime novels. I like to imagine that some of my skills as a scientist, such as problem-solving and attention to detail, could translate well to being a detective in another life!

During my undergraduate studies I became fascinated by the immune system. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to join the community of MS researchers in my postdoctoral research period and have found it a highly rewarding and challenging job.

One of the most exciting developments in medical research is the increasing ability to utilise advanced technologies to understand the disease at the genetic, molecular, and cellular levels. These innovations are enabling researchers to apply new techniques and uncover more of the intricate mechanisms underlying multiple sclerosis (MS).

This project aims to explore the role of neutrophils in the blood of people with MS. Neutrophils are an important immune cell that quickly respond to threats in the body. In a pilot study funded by MS Australia, we identified that specific types of neutrophils are increased in the blood of people with MS compared with people without MS, but the functions of these cells are not clear. In this project, we will carry out in depth characterisation of these cells to better understand their role in MS.

By investigating neutrophils more in this project, we hope to identify whether these might be a target for future therapies to improve outcomes for people living with MS, or could act as a marker of current disease activity that might be useful for monitoring the health of people living with MS.

I find it very rewarding to be involved in the entire scientific process, from discussing ideas to designing experiments, making discoveries, and sharing our team’s findings. Balancing a research career with family life can be challenging, but it allows me to bring new perspectives and helps me to focus on what truly matters.