Most university students spend their summer holidays living it up or earning a bit of money through a part-time job.
But not Mirsada Prasko … the 21-year-old from Deer Park has taken part in hands-on cancer research in recent weeks after gaining a Cancer Council Victoria scholarship through its annual Summer Vacation Studentship program.
Ms Prasko is one of 13 science and medical research students from across the state spending six weeks over summer doing a range of cancer-related research, such as looking at how genes cause oesophageal cancer to the cancer-fighting properties of capsicums.
The program wraps up at the end of this month.
Ms Prasko, who will be doing an honours degree in developmental anatomy at Monash University this year, said the program had put her in good stead for her honours year and thesis.
“I’m focusing on prostate cancer and how fatty acids may actually lead to more aggressive forms of the cancer, so my project is based on knocking down fatty acids and seeing the effect,” she said.
“At the start, I was really scared, because coming from a bachelor’s degree, I didn’t have much experience in the lab.
“Now, approaching my honours, I feel a lot more confident.
“The supervisors are really helpful, which I’ve greatly appreciated.
“I’ve learned a lot of techniques and asked a lot of questions.
“I feel like I’ve got the most out of the experience.”
