Q1. Who inspired you to become a scientist?

My middle school biology teacher. He made biology and science in general feel alive, exciting, and full of mystery. I think that was the first time I realised science was not just about memorising facts, but about sometimes asking crazy questions and discovering how life works.

Q2. What drives your research interest?

My lab is located in the Monash Health precinct, so I regularly see patients around the hospital. That daily reminder keeps me grounded and motivated. It is hard not to work harder when you are constantly reminded that science is ultimately about helping real people.

Q3. What is your current research focus?

My research focuses on immunopeptidomics, which is basically trying to read the tiny molecular “name tags” displayed on the surface of tumour cells. These peptides help the immune system recognise what is normal and what is dangerous. We use this information to discover new targets for cancer vaccines and immunotherapies.

Q4. Who are your current scientific influences?

Some of my strongest influences are the families I work with who have lost children to cancer. Their courage, perspective, and honest feedback deeply shape the way I think about research. They constantly remind me that behind every sample, dataset, and experiment, there is a family hoping for better answers.

Q5. If you hadn’t become a scientist, what would your dream job be?

I would have liked to be a “good politician” the kind who genuinely serves people and can bring hope, courage, and fairness. People like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. are inspiring examples. Of course, science may be slightly safer than politics!

Q6. What are your hobbies?

I enjoy travelling and spending time with local people, especially learning about culture through food and conversation. I also enjoy yoga, BBQ, and spending relaxed time with friends and family. BBQ is probably the most “scientific” of my hobbies, with many failed but delicious experiments.

Q7. What books influenced you the most?

Think Again by Adam Grant, Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari, and Breaking Through by Katalin Karikó.

Q8. What are your favourite movies?

I probably watch more series than movies. Breaking Bad is one of my favourites because of the storytelling and character development. I also enjoy Suits for its sharp dialogue and strategy, and I have always liked Hercule Poirot stories calm thinking, small clues, and a good mystery.

Q9. What advice would you give your 18-year old self?

Follow what you genuinely love and enjoy most at each stage of life. Do not worry too much about having the perfect long-term plan. Curiosity, passion, and enjoying the process will take you further than trying to predict every step.

Q10. What, in your opinion, is the “next big thing” in the field of scientific research?

I think one of the next big things will be bringing quantum biology more deeply into biomedical research. If we can understand biological systems at a deeper physical level, and combine this with AI and advanced molecular profiling, it could transform how we study disease, design therapies, and understand life itself.