Student Profile

Lynsey Crowley

Lynsey Crowley’s first experience of life at Otago was as a year 11 pupil when she attended the university’s “Hands-On Science” summer science camp for high school pupils.

She loved the microbiology option at the camp so much that three years later when she left school she enrolled in a BSc majoring in microbiology, choosing the University of Otago for its strong reputation in health and biomedical sciences.

During the course of her studies Lynsey realised it was the public health aspects of microbiology that most appealed to her, so she switched to a BBiomedSc in Infection and Immunity.

“I like the fact that the BBiomedSc degree is focussed on human health, and that I could combine microbiology with papers in biochemistry and genetics”.

Now Lynsey is the inaugural BBiomedSc Honours student. She is working on the effects of commensal bacteria on the immune system with supervisors Professor John Tagg, Dr Ralph Jack, and Dr Alex McLellan.

Lynsey has found that these bacteria may ‘jumpstart’ the immune system into a potent anti-viral state. Her studies have narrowed down NK-T cells as likely candidate leukocytes that produce Interferon, a potent anti-viral cytokine.

Working with three supervisors, as well as with other graduate students, allows for plenty of interactions, and Lynsey also has input from BLIS Technologies Ltd – a commercial company involved with the effect of commensal bacteria on the colonisation and immune responses to pathogens.

Her work has impressed experts in the field, including Dr. Ian Hermans of the Malaghan Institute, an NK-T cell expert who recently visited the group and has offered collaboration by providing his expertise on NK-T cells.

This combination of academic and applied science adds an extra dimension to Lynsey’s project. She is really enjoying her research year:

“I’m really pleased at the progress we have made in the project, especially how this work has opened up collaborations and the potential for more post-graduate research.”

Lynsey’s ultimate aim is to work in the public health arena, perhaps for an organization such as ESR that specialises in consulting and analytical services in such areas as communicable diseases, water quality, food safety, and forensics.

Lynsey’s advice for future students is the same her parents gave to her when she embarked on her university career: “choose the subjects you are most interested in, not the ones you think might make you the most money.”