Hannah Bender RSBS PhD Student

Long before graduating from Veterinary Science, at the University of Sydney, Hannah suspected that she didn’t really want to be a practising veterinarian. Her interest had always been in wildlife and wildlife research - so when the opportunity came up at RSBS to work on a PhD that might save a species from extinction she jumped at the opportunity!

Hannah is at the forefront of the much publicised race against time to save the Tasmanian Devil. Her PhD is part of a linkage project between ANU and the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and water which focuses on investigating the tumour rearrangements involved in Devil Facial Tumour disease using a technique called chromosome painting. This research will test the allograft hypothesis which suggests that the tumour is transmitted between animals by biting. In addition, the identification of the chromosome breakpoints will indicate which regions of the Tasmanian devil genome are involved in carcinogenesis. Further down the track this could lead to the discovery of novel genes involved in tumour development.

Hannah participated in field trips throughout Tasmania for 4 months last year to collected tumour tissue, an experience Hannah considers a highlight of her study to date.

“I really enjoy the people I work with in the lab – everyone has been very supportive and it’s nice to be working alongside other PhD students”, Hannah Says. Hannah also enjoys venturing out of the lab every once in a while.
“Canberra’s proven to be a very fun place to live – there’s a large student populations so there’s always something to do.”

In the future Hannah is keeping her options open. She is planning to gain some experience in veterinary practice over the next couple of years before deciding which field to pursue; whether it be veterinary, cytogenetic, research or clinical practice.

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