by Sahiti Peddisetti, PhD student at La Trobe University and In2science Mentor
Through the In2science Mentor Leaders Program, I have been connected with my mentor, Dr Palak Mehta, since April this year. While most of our catchups have been online, we often chat about PhD life, science, and research. Having someone outside my own research environment to share ideas, experiences and perspectives with has been incredibly valuable. So, when I had the chance to meet Palak in person, I was excited to see where she works and gain an insight into her world of science.
On 20 August, I visited Palak at Proxima Bio in the CSL building in Melbourne. We spent some time catching up before exploring the laboratories and office spaces and discussing the research being undertaken by the team. What stood out to me was seeing how a small team can work collaboratively on ambitious research with the potential to make a big impact.
Proxima Bio is an Australian biotechnology company spun out of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and now based at the Jumar Bioincubator. The company is developing a new class of medicines called cell-surface degraders, which are designed to target and remove disease-causing proteins that have traditionally been difficult to treat. Its research has potential applications in areas including cancer and autoimmune diseases.
As someone whose own PhD research is in food science, it was fascinating to see a completely different side of scientific research. The visit reminded me just how broad the field of science is and of the different environments scientists can work in. While the research at Proxima Bio is very different from my own, I enjoyed seeing the shared focus on using science to solve complex problems and create meaningful outcomes.
Meeting Palak in person was a wonderful addition to the mentoring experience I have had so far. Our conversations have given me a valuable space to talk about PhD life and science, and visiting her workplace gave me another perspective on what a career in science can look like. I’m grateful to the In2science Mentor Leaders Program for creating this connection and giving me the opportunity to step outside my own research area and experience science from a different perspective.
