Bronwyn visited Cairns State High School and presented to over 80 students. Bronwyn explained how plants can make medication. The research discussion was targeted, understandable and well presented. Students enjoyed the talk and could understand the relevance of the research. They also enjoyed the discussion of the journey that Bronwyn took to be where she is today. Thank you BLA. (Photo kindly supplied by Cairns State High School).
Robyn Cowie, HOD Science, CSHS
On Thursday 19th March select Science students in years 8, 10 and 12 were lucky enough to attend a presentation by Bronwyn Smithies, the Young Science Ambassador for UQ, as part of the Wonder of Science program. Bronwyn spoke to the groups about how we can use plants to grow new medicines from her work in the field of molecular bioscience. She then spoke more specifically about the work she is currently undertaking researching how existing peptides in plants can be replicated and transmitted into humans to improve treatment of diseases and cancers. It was a fascinating insight into how existing structures and processes in plant could be harnessed to treat humans and improve our treatment processes. It allowed the students to appreciate the hard and valuable work that postgraduate students and researchers undertake. Students also gained an understanding of the process of transitioning from school to university to graduate research, Bronwyn spoke of the value of learning Science in high school and made work students are doing now relevant to future pathways
A big thank you to Bronwyn for sharing her passion for microbiology with us and to the Wonder of Science and Business Liaison Association who organised and funded Bronwyns’s visit to Cairns.
Kim Wilson, HOD Science, BPC