Moulding the minds of tomorrow

Ken Dutton-Regester is on a mission to motivate the students of today to become the scientists of tomorrow.

Ken, a Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) student, is Young Science Ambassador for the Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (ATSE) and travels to schools throughout Queensland to promote science and science education.

Ken is about to complete his PhD through QIMR and the Queensland University of Technology and will be travelling to Gympie to ignite an interest in science with local school students.

“Many people have a misconception that choosing a career in science can be boring and limiting,” Ken said.

“Choosing a career in science can offer a diverse range of job choices and the opportunity to work anywhere in the world.

“As an ATSE Young Science Ambassador, I will be talking to local secondary students about my career path and will run experiments and demonstrations to highlight the opportunities available in pursuing science as a career.

“Unfortunately, there has been a real decline in the number of students choosing to study science at university, which is of concern – we need the next generation of scientists to foster Australia’s reputation as a leader in science and research innovation.

“Science as a career is hard work, but it is also very rewarding, incredibly exciting gives you the chance to make a real difference to peoples’ lives.

“I have been passionate about science since high school, so working at QIMR and working with leading researchers I get to work in my dream job every day.

“I get great personal satisfaction in knowing that my research into the genetics of melanoma may ultimately lead to the improvement of treatment strategies for patients with this disease.”

Ken works in QIMR’s Oncogenomics Laboratory researching the genetic mutations that lead to the development and progression of melanoma, with a hope to improve the treatment of patients with the disease.

Ken will be visiting:

Gympie State High School on Thursday 6 October from 12pm; and

James Nash State High School on Friday 7 October from 11am to 1pm.