Megan Baxter is driven by a desire to make her fascination with science matter.
“Studying Medicine has allowed me the opportunity to continue my passion for science but also the ability to combine this passion with humanity, truly making a difference to the lives of patients,” she says.
Since graduating from Griffith, she’s followed her dreams all the way to Oxford University where she is currently studying a Master of Science in Genomic Medicine on a full scholarship as one of the 2023 Oxford University Clarendon Scholars.
Megan is truly about creating a better future for all through her work, having completed a Bachelor of Science, Doctor of Medicine, and Master of Medicine in Clinical Epidemiology before embarking on her genomic medicine journey at Oxford University. She completed her Doctor of Medicine at Griffith in 2021.
“I have a deep interest in genetic rare diseases,” she explains. “While individually rare diseases (i.e. less than one in 2,000 individuals are affected) are uncommon, collectively they affect one in 17 individuals in Australia. These are mostly children and are associated with a prolonged diagnostic odyssey and poor treatment options.”
Megan says the Master of Science in Genomic Medicine is a relatively new course and is a cross-disciplinary program conducted within the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics at Oxford by world-leading experts.
“The course aims to provide the skills allowing for the translation of genomic science to clinical practice,” she explains. “Initially there is a taught component focusing on core modules, followed by electives and then a thesis component focused on individual research projects."
“I believe that my previous studies, combined with the Masters of Science in Genomic Medicine course I am currently completing will provide me with fundamental knowledge and skills to improve the diagnosis and management of rare genetic diseases in patients.”
It was during her earlier studies that Megan began to gain her appreciation for rare diseases caused by genetic changes. “During a summer internship I discovered a novel disease gene for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease,” she explains. “Through this I was able to see the impact science and research can have on individual patients,” she says.
But this wasn’t the only moment where Megan was inspired to follow her current career path. “While there are many highlights from medical school, one highlight that stands out is the rural placement rotation I spent in Charleville,” she says.
“During fourth year I chose to complete my General Practice rotation at CWAATSICH, an Indigenous Australian health care service in the rural town of Charleville. Spending a rotation in this rural setting gave me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, but also appreciate the difficulties facing rural communities and the inequity present in healthcare,” Megan says.
“I was selected as a member of the organisation Ubuntu Through Health, aimed at reducing health inequality, and each year we would arrange an annual gala dinner raising funds for a malnutrition project in Kenya and a women’s health project in Nepal.”
“At the end of second year in 2019, along with two other Ubuntu Through Health members, I visited the Ruben Centre in Mukuru, Kenya, and got to see firsthand the beneficial impact this project has on the lives of these children.”
Megan’s long-term goal is to complete her studies and work in clinical practice in paediatric genetics. “I want to focus on translational research aiming to improve the diagnosis and treatment for those living with rare diseases.”
She has a few words of wisdom for other students wanting to follow in her footsteps. “If something is your dream and it is something you want to do, you need to grasp the opportunities and the chances,” she says.
“You will miss 100% of the chances you do not take, and will be left wondering ‘what if?’ So really work out why you want to do something, and what it will allow you to do, and then take the chances and the opportunities.”
Of the actual study process, she says, “The application processes are long and arduous so make sure you start looking early.”
“Mentors and supervisors are so important and have provided me with so much guidance and support during the process, so be honest with them as to what you want to do and why.”
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