Monica Kanki, PhD student in the Cardiovascular Endocrinology laboratory
The Cardiovascular Endocrinology laboratory is trying to tackle heart failure by understanding the role of circadian rhythm dysfunction on heart health. The body’s circadian rhythm, or 24-hour ‘biological clock’, controls many of the body’s processes, like hormones, body temperature and eating habits. Through this research, this team hopes to develop new therapies and strategies for prevention of heart failure.
We met with Monica Kanki, a PhD student in the Cardiovascular Endocrinology laboratory to give you an insight into her world of medical research.
Tell us a bit about what you are currently doing?
I have been part of the Cardiovascular Endocrinology laboratory since 2019 and have been focusing my research on specifically understanding the combined roles of steroid hormone signalling and circadian clock biology in cardiovascular physiology and disease.
Alongside many others, I am one of the PhD students who has just submitted in my thesis for examination, making this an incredibly monumental and exciting time in my academic career!
Your study has involved a lot of research on sleep to understand the body’s biological clock. What is something people would not know about sleep and heart health?
I think something that may surprise people the most is that too much sleep can be unhealthy for you too! There is a growing body of research outlining how behaviours and physiology are negatively impacted when they are outside of the ‘normal’ 12-hour light-dark cycle. It is not just about how long you sleep but how much undisrupted good quality sleep that can affect heart health, as well as other physiology systems in the body.
Can you share with us the best piece of advice you have received from a mentor?
I really admire my lab head and mentor — A/Prof Young — and her efforts with the Baker Institute’s Gender Equity and Diversity Committee. A piece of advice that she always encourages me with is to “keep reaching for and creating opportunities even when they do not present themselves.” She has been kind enough to share some of her experiences as a woman in STEM with me and I have seen firsthand through her career that it’s more than possible to have a family and pursue a career in research!
What is something you enjoy doing outside of work?
In the past couple of years, cooking and painting are two activities that I have fallen in love with. I wouldn’t say I’m particularly good at either of them, but they each offer a different kind of relaxation and creative freedom. With cooking, the scientist in me feels like I’m still working in the lab, but I’ve come to love evolving my knowledge about food. On the other hand, painting gives me a great sense of calmness and the space to explore different colours and textures that are emotional and thought provoking.
More information
Read more about our research on circadian rhythms and heart health.