Local student Mylee Bates recently gained hands-on cancer research experience after taking part in Bundaberg Regional Council’s Bundaberg Jobs Commitment program.
A Jobs Commitment event held in 2023 saw Professor Derek Richard, a leading researcher who is Scientific Director in the Cancer and Ageing Research Program at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), visit the region to inspire local students into STEM pathways.
During his visit he extended an invitation to local students to complete work experience at his QUT Cancer and Ageing Research Program (CARP) laboratory in Brisbane.
Mylee, now a year 10 Bundaberg North State High School student, said she jumped at the opportunity to get hands-on experience from industry experts and secured a school holiday placement at QUT.
“I basically teed it (the placement) up almost straight away with him,” Mylee said.
“I think my favourite thing, which was also one of the simplest of things we did, there were cool microscopes, and we looked at the cell samples and how they were affected.
“We did, I think it was 30 minutes of chemo – then we looked at the cancer cells after an hour of chemo, an hour and a half of chemo and how they developed, and we watched how the proteins moved around the cells.
“It was really cool!”
Through Bundaberg Regional Council’s continued support in coordinating opportunities for local students the pair recently had the opportunity to catch up.
Dr Richard returned to the Bundaberg Region for more Council supported school visits to share his expertise in biochemistry, microbiology, oncology, and carcinogenesis.
Dr Richard said providing regional students with an opportunity to undertake work experience in a laboratory could be a turning point in their lives, just as it had been for him.
“This is really me paying back local community – when I was in high school, I got the opportunity to go and work in a research lab and I just fell in love with science after that point and it took me to where I am now,” Dr Richard said.
“So, I’m just kind of repaying that because if they don’t experience scientists and don’t experience the lab, then you know, they won’t necessarily use science as an avenue to pursue.
“It’s about connecting, I mean, these students at high school are the next potential Einsteins or Nobel Prize winners.
“Just to have the opportunity to enthuse them in science and you know, pick up a few of them, maybe want to do careers in science. It’s, you know, the real driving force.”
Dr Richard said they opened the door to about 30 students from the Bundaberg Region each year through the Queensland Education program.
“When the students are with us… we were using a piece of equipment that cost over $1 million,” he said.
“We have the world’s most powerful microscope, all these different tools that we have.
“They did everything – they grew human cancer cells, you know, they did immunofluorescence and things like that.
“Things they wouldn’t get to experience just in school.”
The Jobs Commitment program was launched in 2020 and saw Bundaberg Regional Council partner with local schools and industry partners with a goal to address long-term youth unemployment by connecting disengaged youth with local employers.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said it played a pivotal role in connecting local young people with exciting opportunities in industries that were shaping the future, like science and technology.
“We are proud to provide students with opportunities to explore STEM careers, be inspired by leaders in this field and gain hands-on experience in real-world settings,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“Council is committed to promoting innovation and providing local students with the resources and support they need to reach their potential.
“By working closely with our schools and local industry partners, the Jobs Commitment program is helping to shape a stronger, more vibrant workforce for Bundaberg’s future.”
