Post graduate careers in Surgical Research

The Cabrini Monash University Department of Surgery recently employed two new Post-doctoral researchers; Dr Christine Koulis and Dr Rebekah Engel (below is a brief Q&A).


Previous job before joining Cabrini?

Rebekah: Postdoctoral researcher in the Cellular immunology lab at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute since March 2012. Has a PhD in immunology from University of Queensland (2012).

Christine: Previously I worked at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Research Institute in the Diabetic Complications Laboratory as a Research Officer where I investigated the role of advanced glycation end-products in diabetes-associated atherosclerosis.

What's your specific research role in the department?

R: I am working between the Cabrini Institute and Monash University on the Human Organoid research project.

C: As a research officer, my role involves carrying out research projects related to the colorectal neoplasia database. Currently, I am assessing the perioperative risk acquired in colorectal cancer surgery patients with type 2 diabetes.

We also have a number of future projects planned which include the construction of tissue micro arrays to determine colorectal cancer outcomes based on various genes, the ADIPOSe clinical trial which will assess the effects of low energy diet on rectal surgery outcomes and the Patient Reported Outcome Measures Study (PROMS) following colorectal surgery.

First impressions of bowel cancer research? 

R: The enthusiasm within this group is contagious. It’s exciting to be part of a team that is passionate about this research, and committed to improving patient outcomes.

C: I was impressed with the direct translational link of the research projects and the close contact that the colorectal surgeons have with the research team. As a result, there have been a number of publications from Cabrini which are directly relevant to improving the outcomes of colorectal cancer patients.


For more Q&A, see http://www.letsbeatbowelcancer.com/articles/news/new-postdoctoral-research-team