Rizalyn Albarracin RSBS Summer Scholar

Rizalyn joined the summer research program from Victoria University which is based in Wellington, New Zealand. Prior to starting she had just completed her second year of undergraduate study toward a Bachelor Degree in Biomedical Science with a major in Molecular Pathology. Undertaking a summer research project has proved a very valuable and exciting experience for Rizalyn who will return to RSBS mid 2008 to undertake an honours project.

The answer to the question of whether she enjoyed her time at RSBS was met with a very favourable “yes, every aspect”! Rizalyn spent her 11 weeks working in the CSD group, under the supervision of Dr Krisztina Valter on a project looking at the changes of retinal Muller cells, a macroglia, in response to light-induced damage. She has enjoyed the whole learning experience while discovering new things and being given an element of freedom in a research environment. Rizalyn feels particularly fortunate to have been assigned a supervisor whom she considers to be a great role model.

In the short term Rizalyn plans to finish her honours degree then continue with PhD studies in the field of Neuroscience. Her ultimate plan is to then undertake a medical degree where she can then combine her love for neuroscience with other issues facing clinicians such as infectious diseases. Rizalyn grew up in a remote village of the Philippines and as a clinician she plans to assist people living in remote areas of her home country. She wishes to help in the diagnoses and treatment of diseases many people still suffer from with no adequate healthcare at their reach.

Rizalyn learnt about summer scholarships 3 years ago while working as a student travel advisor at Victoria University. Upon becoming a student she saw her opportunity to be part of the program choosing to visit the ANU and experience the research environment at Australia’s highest ranking University. She happily explains “I’ve enjoyed meeting other students and found RSBS to be conducive to research”. She wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the opportunity to other students.

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