Become a student

Supervisor: Dr Jason Waithman

1. Why did you choose the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre to do your PhD?

Throughout my Honours year, I had heard about the positive reputation of the Telethon Kids Institute and attended their Prospective Student Evening. I was immediately drawn in to the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre after meeting with their passionate team leaders and hearing about their exciting research programs. In particular, I was impressed with the wide range of techniques and elegant models utilised by the Cancer Immunotherapy Unit. Additionally, it was great to witness the close collaborations amongst the different Cancer Program research teams which ultimately influenced my final decision to pursue my PhD with the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre.

2. What are some of the benefits you have experienced?

Being a PhD student in the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre has been a very rewarding experience. Throughout my candidature, I have received a lot of support to develop important research and professional skills. I have also had the opportunity to attend national and international conferences to present my research and collaborate with world-renowned experts in cancer and immunology. I have been very fortunate to be involved in collaborative projects that has resulted in a high impact publication. Other advantages of joining the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre is belonging to strong community of students and access to cutting-edge research facilities.

3. What would you say to other students who are considering doing their PhD at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre?

The Telethon Kids Cancer Centre has a strong focus on educating the next generations of cancer researchers. PhD students in the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre are provided with opportunities to conduct exciting research projects and develop a broad range of both professional and research skills under the supervision of leading researchers. The innovative research programs offered by Telethon Kids Cancer Centre allow PhD students to reach their full potential and make significant contributions to medical research.

Learn more about the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre

Supervisor: Dr Jason Waithman

1. Why did you choose the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre to do your PhD?

I chose to do my PhD at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre because of the great reputation Telethon Kids Institute has as a leading research facility, with the Cancer Centre a hub of exciting, elite research teams and projects to choose from. Another major factor in my decision to join was the priority the Telethon Kids Institute places on student support, as well as the support and engagement within students from the Cancer Centre and wider institute.

2. What are some of the benefits you have experienced?

The new facilities at the Perth Children’s Hospital are excellent, allowing us to perform advanced research, with shared workspaces promoting camaraderie between the different labs within the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre. Since joining the Cancer Centre, I have been overwhelmed at the great support and opportunities provided to students. Workshops designed specifically for students run throughout the year, to assist in development of essential skills and knowledge necessary for a PhD and beyond. Other opportunities available for students range from weekly morning teas, allowing students to meet and develop valuable support networks, to assistance to attend overseas conferences.

3. What would you say to other students who are considering doing their PhD at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre?

If you are excited about cancer research, and want to be part of a great student culture, then the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre could be the place for you. Excellent facilities, innovative research, and a supportive environment all make the Cancer Centre a great choice to begin your research career.

Learn more about the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre

Supervisor: Dr Jason Waithman

1. Why did you choose the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre to do your PhD?

Telethon in general has a great reputation in both the community and amongst researchers. The building and facilities are state of the art and provided students with the most up to date research tools. Additionally, Telethon Kids Cancer Centre have a very supportive student environment with ongoing student development workshops, student committees and students focused events.

2. What are some of the benefits you have experienced?

Each week we get the opportunity to attend great seminars from prominent researchers, both local and national. As mentioned, we get to use state of the art facilities and equipment to do our experiments and collaborate with members from other teams in the Cancer Centre. As a new student everyone has been very welcoming and supportive, happy to help explain how to use equipment or as simple as where the coffee machine is.

3. What would you say to other students who are considering doing their PhD at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre?

Do your research. Find out what the teams in the Cancer Centre specialise in, read any new/noteworthy papers they have published and see if those areas interest you. Telethon Kids Cancer Centre provides students with many opportunities to collaborate with other teams, students and researchers, which is invaluable to your future career.

Learn more about the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre

Supervisor: Raelene Endersby

1. Why did you choose the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre to do your PhD?

I came to Telethon Kids Cancer Centre for my PhD through collaboration. My honours supervisor, who remains as a PhD supervisor knows Nick Gottardo and Raelene Endersby, who are the lab heads of the Brain Tumour Research Group and highly recommended them as PhD supervisors.

Another reason why I chose to pursue my PhD with Telethon Kids Cancer Centre was that after my honours year I was still interested in finding better treatments for brain tumours and within the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre there is an established Brain Tumour Research Group that focuses on testing new therapies for several different types of brain tumour.

2. What are some of the benefits you have experienced?

A very apparent benefit of the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre are the friendly and supportive people who are always willing to answer questions and provide help when needed. In relation to cancer research, I’ve had the opportunity to use new scientific equipment and learn new laboratory techniques which are beneficial in improving my skills. The Cancer Centre also organises seminars from local, national and international speakers which provides great insight into cancer research around the world. 

3. What would you say to other students who are considering doing their PhD at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre?

The Telethon Kids Cancer Centre has many students (honours, Masters, MD and PhD), therefore you’ll never feel helpless or lost! If you have a question, don’t be afraid to ask anyone within the Cancer Centre.  

Learn more about the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre

Supervisor: Raelene Endersby

1. Why did you choose the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre to do your PhD?

I completed my honours at Telethon Kids, choosing Telethon Kids because I wanted to experience research outside of a university environment. I chose to continue on with my PhD here because I had enjoyed my honours project, and had an interest in the work that was going on and the projects that were on offer.

2. What are some of the benefits you have experienced?

I have found that there is a lot of support between students in the Telethon Kids Cancer Center. The research groups are quite diverse, so there is almost always someone who can help with any problems, whether or not they are research based. Also, being encouraged to, and given the opportunity to develop personal and professional skills. In my personal experience one of the biggest benefits was how I was able to develop my communication and presentation skills, particularly when presenting my research to a broad audience.

3. What would you say to other students who are considering doing their PhD at the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre?

There are many benefits to doing a PhD at Telethon Kids. As part of the Cancer Centre, you have the opportunity to work in an environment that will challenge you, but also encourage you to think more broadly about science and research. Overall, it gives you the opportunity to develop as a researcher. Beyond that, it is a great place to build meaningful connections, and do research that is making a real difference. 

Learn more about the Telethon Kids Cancer Centre

Deciding to do a PhD is not an easy or light decision to make, but since being a student at Telethon Kids Institute, I have had so much support and guidance that I thoroughly enjoy it.

I enrolled in my PhD on March 1st 2016, and have since become involved in all that the Institute has to offer.

In my first month of starting I went on the Student Development Program, held in Preston Beach. The day was filled with workshops and inspirational talks to give advice and insight to all levels of students in attendance.

Then there was a dinner and a quiz with the Institute Director Jonathan Carapetis. Now, I was very lucky and got to be on his team for the quiz. He knew a lot about the history of the Institute, which was needed for a few quiz questions, but didn't know much about emojis - luckily us students had that round covered! We ended up winning the quiz and as a group took home 7 kilograms of chocolate. It was a great way to bond with fellow students and get to know them in a social setting.

The following day we did 'Survivor' style team bonding activities, where all our competitive sides came out again. My team didn’t win but we had so much fun that it didn’t matter too much. It was a lovely 2 days, and I got to know many of the students and hear their stories.

Over the next few months, I got down to the research and writing my PhD proposal, which was very full on. When I enrolled, I went to an info session which outlined requirements and due dates that I would need to meet, which was very helpful. I was also advised who to go to if I needed help with particular things.

After lots of experiments, writing and student morning teas, I submitted my proposal document to UWA with very little trouble. Now I’m loving the community that I have become a part of. Your fellow students are an amazing resource. It’s great to know that you aren't the only one who is super busy; but also not too busy that you can’t stop for a coffee and a chat. Doing ground-breaking research is one thing, but being able to do it in such an amazing and supportive environment is something else altogether.

- PhD Student Kelly Martinovich