Eliza Colgrave, mentee in the 2019 MedTech-Pharma program in VIC (The University of Melbourne)
I’m a PhD student with a biomedical sciences background, currently completing my doctorate at the University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. My project is focused on characterising the lesions associated with endometriosis. Specifically I aim to capture the heterogeneity of the disease and determine if lesions undergo changes with age or alterations in steroid hormone exposure. This may enable better disease classification and patient stratification so that patients are given targeted treatments based on their lesion characteristics. Prior to my PhD I completed multiple internships and projects in labs with a reproductive biology focus and spent my Honours year investigating the genes associated with increased endometriosis risk.
In my community I’m actively involved with endometriosis patient activist groups, fundraising for endometriosis research and organising community science-engagement events including the Pint of Science Festival. I’m currently exploring job options to pursue once I’ve completed my PhD and am particularly interested in a career that involves adapting a wide range of skills and engaging with the public. I’m open minded about where I might end up, but keen to stay involved in STEM in one form or another, whether that be in industry, academia or both.
You can find Eliza on: