Callum Verdonk, Linton Robins and Tahlia Bastholm.

Is Shenton College Year 12 student Linton Robins a future microbial genetics researcher at the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI)? Time will tell but Linton is on the right track having recently completed a three-day work placement under the supervision of PhD students Tahlia Bastholm and Callum Verdonk.

Tahlia and Callum are researchers in Dr Josh Ramsay’s team, which looks at the genetics of bacteria and their role in the spread of infectious diseases. They welcomed Linton with a tour of CHIRI’s facilities, followed by some hands-on work in the lab.

Linton’s interest in biotechnology at school compelled him to voluntarily seek out the opportunity through his college’s work placement manager. This was Linton’s first time in a lab, and he was thrilled to see how the foundations of what he had learnt in class were applied in a professional research facility. Linton was particularly excited to get to study real DNA.

Having Linton on board was rewarding for Tahlia and Callum, who got to share their knowledge with a potential researcher of the future and gain a fresh perspective on why they do the work they do

With CHIRI being a university-based institute that provides opportunities for students, including those completing their Honours, Masters or PhD studies, we may see Linton back one day. We wish him all the best with his studies and future career.