City teen chosen for research masterclass

RESEARCH FOCUS: Tenison Woods College Year 12 graduate Caitlyn Poel recently received one of 14 spots for a once-in-a-lifetime masterclass at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) after entering a competition based on her Year 12 research project. Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

RESEARCH FOCUS: Tenison Woods College Year 12 graduate Caitlyn Poel recently received one of 14 spots for a once-in-a-lifetime masterclass at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) after entering a competition based on her Year 12 research project. Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

A PASSIONATE young learner has received a once-in-a-lifetime experience after “having a go” at entering a research-based competition.

Against many senior students in South Australia, Tenison Woods College Year 12 graduate Caitlyn Poel secured one of 14 places in the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) masterclass.

Ms Poel entered her one-minute video based on her Year 12 research project after being encouraged by two teachers.

“I was approached by both research project teachers Penny Sharp and Stacey Bradley as they knew my interest in science and thought I had a shot,” Ms Poel said.

“It was a great opportunity so I thought ‘why not?’, ‘what have I got to lose’?”

“I went with a cartoon style video which was time-consuming and quite stressful considering I made it just before exams.”

Ms Poel’s research project topic was “what are the alternative treatments that can be used to control epilepsy beside medication and how successful are they?”

“I share a passion for science and biology, so I wanted my topic to be focused around that,” she said.

“My friend’s daughter has epilepsy and is currently on the ketogenic diet and I found it really interesting.

“I wanted to learn more and came across two other treatments that were recommended – vagus nerve simulation and brain surgery.”

Ms Poel found it hard finding primary resources to use throughout her project.

“My favourite thing about the school project was meeting parents who have children with epilepsy,” she said.

“I found it interesting listening to their stories, although I found it difficult sourcing doctors and pediatricians that actually wanted to talk to a Year 12 student.”

Ms Poel had to travel to Adelaide for the masterclass at the state-of-the-art SAHMRI building.

“We started the day off with a lecture from Dr Laura Weyrich, which focused on the human microbiota from the past,” she said.

“As our videos were based on one of the seven SAHMRI research themes, we split up into seven themed groups and explored the building.

“I personally chose the nutrition and metabolism topic because it corresponds with the ketotonic diet.”

A presentation was also delivered by ​Dr Jianling Xieon projects he is working on.

The small group also attended another lecture with Dr Mike Musker focused on his current clinical trial based on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ms Poel said it was a privilege to be selected from a regional area to take part, with the 13 other participants all from Adelaide.

“When we are in Mount Gambier, I guess we do have to do the travelling, but it does not stop anyone from giving things a go,” she said.

Ms Poel encouraged other students to enter the Association of Secondary Research Teachers (ASTSA) competition in following years.

“People need to take the opportunity while they can,” she said.

“If it is sitting right in front of you, submit that video.

“It was something that I was second guessing when I was thinking about entering, but I gave it a go.”

Scoring an ATAR of 97.7 has made Ms Poel rethink her future career pathway.

“I am not really sure what I will do now I have finished Year 12, but I am set on secondary teaching at the moment,” she said.

“I am very pleased with my ATAR score and I can get into a lot of research and medical based courses now.

“The masterclass has definitely made me reconsider what I will do after I finish my gap year.”