Hey everyone my name is Luisa and
I'm a recent graduate from the
University of Adelaide and
I'm also a science communicator.
Today I'll be having a talk with Ella
who is a current science student
and in true 2020 style we'll be 
having a socially distant chat
using technology.
So on that note, let's say hello to Ella.
LUISA: Hey Ella thanks so much 
for joining us today.
ELLA: Thanks for having me.
LUISA: So to start would
you be able to tell me a little bit
about what you're
currently studying?
Yeah so I'm currently studying a
Bachelor of Science (Advanced) degree,
I'm majoring in biochemistry and
microbiology and immunology.
LUISA: Wow that sounds
like a pretty cool
degree and a 
very versatile degree.
What have some of
the coolest things
that you've learned been 
throughout the degree?
ELLA: Definitely the coolest thing I've
learned is how vaccines work
and how they work 
to protect populations
against potentially deadly diseases.
I found that very interesting, yeah.
LUISA: Very important at the moment,
vaccines are everything all that
anyone's talking about.
So I noticed that 
you're currently in the labs,
LUISA: Have you spent much time in
the labs as a part of your degree?
ELLA: Yes definitely.
I like to say that I live in the lab
but yeah this lab here
is actually the first
lab that I did any of my 
practicals in, in first year.
LUISA: Yeah, so now you've spent 
a lot of time at the uni in labs,
have you done much time in,
I guess, industry labs
and placements or
anything like that?
Yes I actually had the opportunity to do
a summer research placement here at
the uni with the 
Malaria Biology Research Lab
and I was able to work with 
genetic engineering and
changing the genomes of 
different bacteria
and being able to basically alter the
structure of a malaria parasite and see
how that affects the way 
that infects red blood cells.
LUISA: That is very 
interesting research
I guess my final question 
for you today would be,
what do you hope to 
do in the future?
ELLA: Ah, in the future
it's kind of wherever it takes me
I guess at this point, but hopefully
completing honours next year
and then going
into medical research
whether that be working
for maybe SAHMRI,
or somewhere in
Melbourne or overseas.
But yeah, I've got an interest in 
vaccine research or cancer research.
LUISA: Well it's definitely the future
at the moment, that vaccine research.
Thanks so much for
joining us today Ella.
And if you'd like to find out more 
about Ella's degree
please head to the University of
Adelaide's website,
onto the Degree Finder 
and search 'Science Advanced'.
