Alice Lafana joined the Rio Tinto Children's Diabetes Centre; a JDRF Global Centre of Excellence Perth team in August for her three month internship.
We had a quick chat with Alice to find out more about the project she is working on and why she joined the team.
Tell us a little bit about you and why you're here?
I am an international student in my final semester at UWA. As part of the master of public health program, I wanted to complete practicum therefore I am here. The reason why I choose research agency is because of my past experience in research laboratory.
Why did you get into T1D research?
The reason why I chose The Kids Research Institute Australia, Children's Diabetes Centre is because of my interest in research and health intervention change particularly in child health space. I work with tuberculosis/ malaria prior studies and getting to diagnose paediatric tuberculosis in resource limited setting can be challenging as children cannot produce sputum for microscopy. The PROMS & PREMS in paediatric type 1 diabetes is kind of similar. While the topic is specific, the skills gained (search strategy and database searches) would be broadly applicable to my future public health research activities.
What are your current research projects you are working on?
I am working on the patient-reported outcome and experiences measures (PROMs & PREMs) in paediatric type 1 diabetes. This project is a collaboration between The Kids and researchers at Macquarie University as part of the Rio Tinto Children’s Diabetes Centre; a JDRF Global Centre of Excellence. I work under Dr Keely Bebbington to execute the project's protocol, search strategy and screening articles.
What T1D research breakthroughs would you like to see in the next 10 years?
Diabetes is always here and most people don't realise that until they get to experience it or a loved one is diagnosed. For instance, in my experience, people's perspective of diabetes is its association with adults and not children. So, in the 10 years, I would like to see a research breakthrough in health promotion for T1D particularly to pregnant women and young families.
What do you like to do outside of your work?
I go to Uni to hang out be friends, sometimes spend late nights in the library completing my assignment. Apart from work and school, I like walking around Matilda Bay and taking bus ride to Fremantle.