MENTEE – Mohini Shibu

Mohini is currently a second year PhD student at the University of Melbourne, working in the labs of Prof. James McCarthy at WEHI and Prof. Leann Tilley at Bio21 Institute. Her research is on the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. She works on some of the parasite derived proteins that remodel infected RBCs and cause virulence. She generates recombinant parasite cell lines and use techniques such as immunofluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and mass spectrometry to analyse them.

She has a master’s degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Queensland. During her postgraduate studies she worked on peptide-based nano vaccines against Group A Streptococcus under Prof. Istvan Toth. During this time, Mohini also worked as a casual academic staff for the university, she tutored and demonstrated in labs for undergraduate students. She did her undergraduate studies in Genetic Engineering from SRM University, India.

Throughout her education, she has attended various research internships and trainings in PC2 labs and have gained experience in a diverse suite of molecular biology tools and biochemical techniques, including animal testing and handling.

After completing her PhD, she hopes to work in the MedTech industry of Australia. She is looking to be matched with a mentor who can inform her on the various opportunities she is eligible for with her work experience and advise her on the skills she needs to hone to better fit the Australian job market.