Raissa Gill

Hi my name is Raissa Gill, I’m in my second year of a Doctor of Philosophy, Science. My pathway to postgraduate research was through a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science at UTS in 2019.

I was inspired to pursue a research career because I have always been captivated by aquatic ecosystems. I wanted to pursue a career that empowered me with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact on how we interact with these environments. With the looming threat of climate change, pursuing a research career is how I hope to make a difference.

My research aims to understand how bushfires influence the microbial ecology of estuaries in NSW, Australia. This project tackles this topic in three ways: First, by using filter forensic and chemical techniques to extract and characterise particulate matter collected during the Black Summer bushfires. Second, by modelling the dispersion and deposition of bushfire smoke from the atmosphere. Finally, by adding bushfire particulates to experimental microbes and monitoring their responses at both a single-cell and community level. I was attracted to this topic because the scale of the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires was unprecedented, yet virtually nothing is known about its impact in our aquatic environments. Given that microbes underpin the health and utility of Australia’s coastal systems, I wanted to understand the ways in which these organisms respond to these sorts of atmospheric events as we move towards a more fire-prone future.

I chose the UTS Climate Change Cluster (C3) to do my PhD because during my undergraduate degree I was fortunate to embark on a volunteer position with Professor Martina Doblin of the Productive Coasts research team. My research focused on optimising high throughput single-cell analyses (flow cytometry), which provided me with a good foundation for examining aquatic microbes. I then undertook a research internship and honours position with Professor Doblin working in a similar capacity. Professor Doblin and members of Productive Coasts really welcomed me to the group and gave me my first taste of what it is like to be in a professional research environment. I chose C3 because my own research goals were aligned, and I enjoyed my time there as an undergraduate.

Thinking about highlights from my studies at UTS my most memorable experience to date is a recent trip to the NSW South Coast with NSW Department of Primary Industry and Energy and  C3 Productive Coast members. We assessed the acute response of estuarine microbes to simulated Black Summer bushfire particle additions. I spent my mornings sampling beautiful lakes and rivers, collecting samples to take back to our field-based lab for experimentation. This experience was invaluable to me, both as a scientist and aquatic enthusiast. Additionally, the interactions we had with the local men and women who run our regional NSW aquaculture trades really drove home to me how important the work we do at C3 is to our industries.

Before I embarked on this degree, I would have baulked at the idea of presenting to large groups of high school students. However, with the support of my team, we have led several presentations and workshops for students, educating them on the importance of photosynthetic microbes and what it is like to work and study in a research environment. This degree has given me the confidence to do this, and it is now something I am very enthusiastic about. 

After graduation I aspire to be a research scientist and to lead a team of my own. My research degree has allowed me to develop both practical and technical skills that strengthen my competency as a young scientist entering the workplace. This is crucial to address the inter-disciplinary nature of problems we face going forward. For me, practical skills in both the laboratory and field are essential as they allow me to be dynamic in how I tackle a research question. Technical skills such as advanced statistics, computational modelling, and coding, have allowed me to improve research outputs for publication.

I would tell undergraduate students considering postgraduate research studies that it is possibly the most challenging and rewarding academic venture you will ever undertake. So, be sure to choose your research topic based on your own interests and skills that you want to explore.

Related: Investing in local researchers- $2 million scholarship boost

Learn more about higher research degrees at UTS Science