Overview
Kate completed a PhD in Molecular Biology at the University of Queensland using molecular and bioinformatics techniques to study venom proteins and peptides, with an emphasis on the discovery of novel toxins for use as lead compounds in pharmaceutical drug development. Her research included functional genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics as well as a multitude of other techniques. During her PhD she was published in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals and undertook a one-month research internship at Tianjin University in China researching preclinical development of diabetic drugs using mouse models. Kate was also awarded a prestigious two-month research fellowship at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, investigating metal distribution and content in aculeate aculei.
Kate is currently studying to become a registered Australian and New Zealand Patent Attorney.