Jevin is a final-year Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student at UWA, investigating the genetic causes of rare diseases at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. Find out what first drew Jevin to the field, why rare disease research matters, and the insights he offers to those considering a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at UWA.
What inspired Jevin to pursue research in his field
Jevin’s passion for research was sparked during a high school excursion to the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. He also credits his Year 11 and 12 human biology teachers for inspiring his interest in genetics and neuroscience.
“I was exposed to the medical research environment at an early age and instantly knew that this is where I wanted to be when I grew up. Fast forward around five years, I’ve completed my Bachelor of Biomedical Science in Genetics and Neuroscience at UWA.
Looking towards the future, I knew I wanted to pursue some sort of research in a field that combined genetics and neuroscience. Luckily, there was a neurogenetics lab group at the Perkins Institute, so I decided to test the waters by completing an Honours year. I never looked back and am now finishing a PhD with the same lab group.”
Why rare diseases research matters to Jevin
While mainstream medical research often centers on common complex disorders, Jevin finds purpose in exploring the lesser-known territory of rare genetic diseases – where answers are scarce.
“By working in this field and finding genetic diagnoses for these patients, you feel like you’re playing an active part in their diagnostic journey, allowing them to pursue the next steps, be it treatments or family planning. The search for answers for these patients is what drives me and the work I do.”
Research can take you all over the world
Jevin was excited to discover research in rare genetic diseases is collaborative and globally connected. At UWA, HDR programs empower students to tackle real-world challenges while building strong international research networks.
“While rare diseases are, by definition, rare, most of the time you require several families to build up a case that a certain mutation or gene is
disease-causing. As such, the field is highly collaborative and provides multiple opportunities to work with colleagues locally, nationally, and internationally.”
Jevin was supported by UWA to present his research findings internationally, including at a major conference in Copenhagen attended by 1,200 participants.
“The opportunity to travel and present my research at international conferences and meet collaborators was all thanks to the generous resources and help from UWA.”
The supportive research community at UWA
Pursuing a postgraduate research degree can be both intellectually rewarding and personally challenging – but you’re not alone on the journey. The UWA Graduate Research School (GRS) provides personalised guidance to help researchers navigate their degrees with confidence. For Jevin, that support made all the difference.
“The UWA research community has been so supportive and helpful. This was particularly true in my first year where I wasn’t sure how PhDs worked or what I was meant to do. The GRS was super helpful and guided me to set my foundations for a successful PhD.”
Jevin’s advice for future research students
Starting a research degree is about more than just picking a topic. Jevin encourages you to think carefully about the kind of people and environment you thrive in.
“Take the time to explore the different lab groups at UWA, meet not only your potential supervisors but also their team members. And don’t be afraid to ask them any burning questions you may have. This will help you decide which lab group will be best suited to your research passions and personality. You will be spending quite some time with them after all.”
Are you thinking about diving deeper into your field of interest? Learn more about studying a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) at UWA and see the range of HDR scholarships on offer.
