28 Jun 2023
Morisset High School Big Picture student Tynielle Gomez has been exploring neuroscience and pharmacology during her recent internship at Macquarie University. Big Picture student, Eden Massey, explores how Learning Through Internships (LTI) helps students build their confidence and cement their pathway to achieve their goals for life, learning and careers after school.
Year 12 Morisset High School Big Picture student Tynielle Gomez is curious about neuroscience, pharmacology and the way science can help improve the health of individuals and communities.
This term, Tynielle had the opportunity to partake in a week-long LTI in a synthetic biology lab at Macquarie University with researcher Dr Paige Erpf.
LTIs are an integral part of the Big Picture Learning pathway. LTIs allow Big Picture students to experience the workforce, shadow professionals, and decide if that career pathway suits them.
A meaningful LTI in a field a student is interested in can not only further their learning but will also create excitement and enthusiasm for project work and possible career pathways, whether at university, TAFE or an apprenticeship.
During this LTI, Tynielle assisted in the setting up, running and analysing of experiments relating to a worldwide project Dr Paige is currently working on called 'Yeast 2.0'. The aim of Yeast 2.0 is to create a synthetic yeast strain. As yeast is the backbone of all bioproducts (bioplastics, biofuel etc.), it is a very valuable and sought-after resource. Key benefits of bioproducts include the sustainability of renewable biomass, replacing depleted fossil energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Some of Tynielle’s favourite experiments included gel extractions using gel electrophoresis, which allows researchers to visualise the size of DNA strands, extract DNA and confirm if DNA has been accurately modified. Tynielle also gained experience developing Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCRs), which allow researchers to multiply DNA for further testing and make cultures out of bacterial colonies.
Getting to experience university life, seeing firsthand how research labs are operated, working alongside university students to PhD and post-doctoral fellows, and investigating possible career pathways in synthetic biology, were other positive outcomes from Tynielle's LTI experience.
"This LTI has helped by providing insight into what it would be like working in a lab, given me new areas to investigate and has reignited my passion and enthusiasm for science," Tynielle said.