If scientists want the public to trust and believe in the science, we need to trust in them, and engage with them in a meaningful way.

Tara (she/her) is an Australian scientist and science communicator, currently completing her PhD at the University of Toronto in Canada. During her undergrad, she worked on five separate research projects, and this was where her love of scientific research was born. However, even with her extensive research experience, she still has a broad variety of research interests (which you can check out below) ranging from nanoparticle growth mechanisms to glial biology.

 
Photo of Tara smiling at the camera in the lab
 
Photo of Tara looking slightly concerned while she points to many rows of fish tanks behind her.
 

In addition to research, she has also developed a keen interest in science communication and outreach, and aims to make science more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Tara is open about her struggles with anxiety and is an advocate for promoting positive mental health for both scientists and non-scientists alike! Additionally, she is a member of the LGBTQI+ community and is always looking to promote positive spaces and mindsets in the scientific community.

 
 

Tara believes that science (and the rest of the STEM fields) need everyone they can get, and looks to promote the voices of marginalised groups who can offer diverse perspectives in STEM.

Her hobbies include reading, video games, playing guitar and bushwalking/hiking (if she's not working, you can usually find her in search of a nice view).

 
Photo of Tara similing at the camera and holding up her arm to show one of her science tattoos. The tattoo is a simple stick figure drawing of her with lab googles and holding a micropipette and a flask.

Education

 

2019 - present
University of Toronto

Doctor of Philosophy, Developmental Neurobiology

2017
UNSW Sydney

Bachelor of Science (Honours), Chemistry
First Class

2014 - 2016
UNSW Sydney

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry & Molecular Biology
Distinction

Research Interests

 

Neurobiology

Glial Cells in health and disease, development of neurodegenerative disorders, stem cells and developmental processes.

 

Molecular Medicine

Drug discovery and testing, pathways to diseased states.

Bioinorganic Chemistry

Metalloprotein structure and function, inorganic drug discovery, bioimaging, cellular trafficking of metal ions.

 

Nanoscience

Nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation, crystallography, sensors.