The Westmead Institute for Medical Research exists to enrich the health and wellbeing of people globally by liberating them from current major disease challenges.
Students were lucky to meet Dr Zoe Clayton, who is navigating the frontier of stem cell research to innovate new ways to replace damaged heart tissue, and Professor Jon Iredell, whose leading phage therapy research is offering hope in fighting the threat of antibiotic resistance.
The boys listened to three presentations on superbugs, repairing the heart and viruses and variants and engaged in a Q&A session.
William Richardson (Year 10) said ‘The Westmead medical excursion provided an exciting insight into the current innovation in Australian biotechnology. Each of the boys was presented with the unique challenges of biotechnology, balancing the fiscal responsibility of the company and the importance of those in need.
‘The speakers presented their unique solutions to various threats in modern medicine, seeking to solve bacteria resistance, heart disease and vaccine efficacy. Despite numerous set backs in both the planning and application phases of their technology, the creative and logistical persistence of each researcher was inspiring. This gave us an important insight into the resilience necessary to effect change and impact humanity.’
This article first appeared in the Autumn 2022 edition of News.
