11 February 2025
Institute news
Teleah is a third year PhD student in our Metabolomics lab. Her research was focused on the lipidomic changes during the progression of Atrial Fibrillation (the most common type of heart rhythm disorder) and looking at the modulation of plasmalogen levels in the heart. These days, her time is devoted to understanding the regulatory role of a group of enzymes called PI3K that play a role in both cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Tell us about your latest paper
Our new paper has shown that feeding mice a diet that includes a supplement developed at the Institute elevated energy-boosting, anti-oxidant fats that circulate in our blood called plasmalogen lipids, which restores the integrity of damaged cells in a failing heart.
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What’s been your defining moment?
For as long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of becoming a scientist. In Year 10, my high school careers advisor told me that a career in science would be difficult, hard to get into, and that I’d be better off in a ‘normal’ job. Leaving her office, I was more determined than ever to pursue my dream.
What’s the best piece of advice for someone about to embark on their PhD?
Embrace the journey as a marathon, not a sprint. It’s easy to feel pressure to be perfect or to have everything figured out right away, but the process is all about learning, evolving, and pushing through challenges. Stay curious, be patient with yourself, and seek help from peers and mentors. Persistence, resilience, and adaptability are just as important as intelligence.
What’s your proudest moment?
Winning the International Society for Heart Research Student Investigator Oral Presentation award at the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand in 2023. It was one of my first talks and I remember sitting there before I was called up shaking like a leaf. But once I finished, the sense of accomplishment and exhilaration was incredible! It was a moment of personal growth, proving to myself that I could push through my nerves and succeed.
Tell us something about yourself that we might be surprised to know.
I am a Muay Thai kickboxer. I have been training since I was six years old and have competed in numerous tournaments. Martial arts has been a significant part of my life, both physically and mentally. It keeps me focused and motivated.
