Research Assistant
BSc (Hons)
Michelle completed her Bachelor of Science with a double major in Biomedical Science & Genetics and Molecular Biology in 2022, and in 2023, she completed her Honours Thesis in Biomedical Science. Research for her Thesis centred around identifying mutations that negatively affected Carboxypeptidase E production, a protein that is crucial in producing insulin for the body to use.
Michelle joined the GASP research team at Telethon Kids Institute in early 2024 as a budding medical researcher, keen to expand on her scientific knowledge. She is driven by her passion for learning and discovery. Through her research, she hopes to prevent life-changing illness and disease, whether that be by finding an improved therapy, treatment or preventative.
Michelle’s research at TKI focusses on characterising the Group A Streptococcus virulence factor that is involved in recurring infections, using cloning and mutagenesis techniques. She is also characterising clinical isolates that have been isolated from patients who have had recurrent infections, using cell infection assays. This work will be a step towards preventing incorrect prescription of antibiotics, which will then have positive downstream effects, such as preventing relapse infections, preventing development of more severe disease such as Acute Rheumatic Fever or Rheumatic Heart Disease, and contribute to the fight against antimicrobial resistance.