Student wins top microbiology award
Ground-breaking research into the genetic make-up of bacteria responsible for causing septicaemia has earned University of the Sunshine Coast microbiology student Nubia Ramos a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Nubia, 23, rubbed shoulders with some of the nation’s top scientists in early July after being invited to present a research paper at the annual Australian Society for Microbiology Conference in Melbourne.
The PhD student earned this honour by recently winning the prestigious Becton Dickinson (BD) Award in Brisbane ahead of other top postgraduate microbiology students from across Queensland.Nubia said her work could one day lead to a gene-targeted approach to the treatment of patients with septicaemia, a deadly disease caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream.
“My research looked at the virulence genes carried by translocating Escherichia coli,” she said.
“In other words, bacteria that can move from the gut or urinary tract into the bloodstream of patients in stressed states—such as after surgery—to cause septicaemia.”
Nubia’s intensive laboratory work involved screening for 58 genes and determining which of those genes might be involved in E. coli’s ability to move into the bloodstream.“I found that E. coli originating from the urinary tract had different genes to E. coli from the gut.
However both groups are able to translocate,” she said. “It seems that although some of the genes I tested for have roles in these abilities, there may be other genes not yet identified that enable translocation.
During my PhD studies, this is what I will be continuing to work on.”Nubia, who completed her undergraduate studies at USC, also was one of three students from the University to receive $2,500 Rotary Club scholarships recently.
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New business is high note for singer
Talented Coast vocalist Felicia Kyle-Little has launched her own design and photography business at Coolum, thanks to an innovative course she undertook as a University of the Sunshine Coast student.
Felicia, 24, who regularly performs at Coast clubs and pubs as part of a duo called Kadence, is half-way through a combined Business and Arts degree in Design and Marketing at USC.
Late last year, she attended a special Enterprisers course which provided her with the entrepreneurial skills and confidence to start her own business, called Vivo, at the Coolum Copy and Print Centre’s office on The Esplanade.
Felicia’s younger brother, Richmond, provides the photographic skills for the business that has a strong leaning towards their three favourite passions of music, sport and fashion.
Together, Felicia and Richmond are producing design and photographic work for businesses as well as Coast bands, sporting organisations and fashion designers.
In her first year at university last year, Felicia was one of 10 USC students chosen to take part in a four-day residential Enterprisers course run by USC’s Innovation Centre in collaboration with the University of Cambridge.
“Enterprisers pretty much changed everything for me,” Felicia said. “It’s the biggest reason why I started this business.
“I always thought about starting my own business, but the Enterprisers course really encouraged me to get it going and boosted my self-belief and self-confidence.”
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