“If you’re not sure or if you’d like a second opinion, never be afraid to ask”

Tell us about what you do:

I am a research fellow at the University of Melbourne, working on clinical research studies to learn more about different inherited retinal diseases and the genes that cause them. I also practice in the contact lens clinics at the Australian College of Optometry and teach optometry students.

What has been the most memorable moment of your career?

In my first year as a new graduate optometrist, I incidentally found a suspected choroidal melanoma during a routine exam in a patient who was effectively monocular. This was later confirmed by an ophthalmologist, who recommended enucleation. The most memorable moment was during their follow-up visit, when the patient (who was really calm even though I was devastated for them) took my hand and said to me: “what will be, will be.”

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve faced in your career to date?

Doing my PhD. Another big challenge was deciding when and where I wanted to pursue a PhD (and whether I should move to a different place to do this, which I ultimately did). Moving to a new place was scary, but I grew from the experience.

The most memorable moment was during their follow-up visit, when the patient (who was really calm even though I was devastated for them) took my hand and said to me: “what will be, will be

What advice would you give newly-qualified optometrists?

In any situation, if you’re not sure or if you’d like a second opinion, never be afraid to ask. And if you’d like someone to mentor you, ask them.

Who inspires you?

Strong female leaders who are excellent communicators. Some examples that come to mind are Jacinda Ardern and Kamala Harris. But also, my students. Seeing someone learn and grow because of something that I helped them with or said really inspires me to keep teaching others.

Tell OT about one of your hobbies:

I started practicing calligraphy before my wedding because I wanted to address my own wedding invitations. Calligraphy is now one of my hobbies.

Seeing someone learn and grow because of something that I helped them with or said really inspires me to keep teaching others

Tell OT something unexpected about yourself:

I grew up hating sports and exercise (I still hate exercise). But I also played for the New Zealand Women’s National Ultimate Frisbee Team, who competed in the World Championships in 2015.

What are you reading/watching at the moment?

I have just finished the book This is going to hurt by Adam Kay. The book is about his life working as a junior doctor in an NHS hospital. It is funny, enlightening, and a fantastic read; I would highly recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t read it.