The Scenic Route

I have recently completed a Certificate III in Pathology Collection and am currently studying Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology) at Charles Sturt University.

I took the scenic route to get here. I originally studied Computer Science out of high school, but losing my father to melanoma shifted my perspective entirely. I stepped away from tech to find a change of scenery and spent the next several years working in high-pressure, physical environments. From chasing winters as a snowsports instructor across Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, to working my way up from dishwasher to Chef de Cuisine in kitchens that ranged from cafes to hatted fine dining.

While hospitality taught me how to lead teams and execute under extreme pressure, I eventually realised I wanted to do more than just survive a dinner service. I hold myself to a relentlessly high standard, and I was looking for a domain where my work had a deeper impact.

Why Medical Laboratory Science?

The shift toward pathology was personal. When my father was sick, I remember being bombarded with medical terminology that went completely over my head. That feeling of confusion, and the desire to actually understand what was happening, stuck with me.

I realised what actually drives me is finding answers to complex questions. I have always preferred environments where getting it wrong matters. Whether it is the exact timing of a busy kitchen or the strict precision required for a blood collection, there is no room to fake it.

I have come full circle, bringing my early technical foundation in computer science into the clinical environment. Right now, my goal is to deeply understand the science, build the tools to investigate it, and be the one finding the answers instead of waiting for them.

You can see my current research interests and software projects on my Now page.

Tl;dr

I like:

  • Video games
  • Trading cards
  • Rock climbing
  • Fermentation
  • Snowboarding
  • Walking

I don’t like:

  • Planned obsolescence
  • Real estate agents
  • Airport security
  • Gatekeeping
  • Performative activism
  • Corporate jargon

If you want to chat about anything, reach out via my Links page.