Rebecca Coetzee (2012)
Rebecca discovered her fascination for genetics during Year 11 Human Biology at Penrhos.
She obtained an undergraduate degree in Genetics and Human Biology from UWA and worked at Clinipath Pathology before securing her current role at Linear Clinical Research, a Perth-based clinical research operation trialing a new vaccine for Coronavirus.
As Clinical Resources Coordinator at Linear, Rebecca works with doctors, nurses, health care workers and the wider organisation to coordinate medical trials. Linear recently announced plans to trial a new vaccine for Coronavirus; while there are more than 60 COVID-19 vaccines in development around the world, only a few are entering early clinical trials in human volunteers. In addition to the Coronavirus vaccine, the team are trialling many other new treatments for various health issues including Huntington’s Disease, Angelman Syndrome, gout and various addictions.
Following a six-month mission trip to Vanuatu, which Rebecca spent working in hospitals, prisons and schools, learning the true value of a good public health system, she has also started working on her Master of Public Health through Deakin University.
“I’m so thankful for my time at Penrhos and the doors it has opened up for me. This isn’t what I imagined myself doing eight years ago, but I love what I do and the people I work with. As we see restrictions beginning to lift, I’d just like to remind everyone to be cautious and continue looking out for each other.”
