A former Noosa real estate sales administrator has used her Biomedical Science studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast to become a respiratory scientist at The Prince Charles Hospital.

When Abella Murray, 25, received her Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Faculty Commendation at the USC Graduation Ceremony at Sippy Downs on Friday 17 April, she was already working in her new career.

“I’m doing respiratory function tests with inpatients and outpatients,” she said. “The main patient groups we see are those with chronic airways disease like cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer patients.”

Ms Murray now lives at Albany Creek as she also pursues a research project at the hospital for a University of Queensland Honours degree.

The 2006 Noosa District State High school leaver had worked full-time at Dowling and Neylan Real Estate until 2012, when she went part-time to study at USC.

“I just decided I wanted to get into medicine so I studied biomedicine as a stepping stone,” she said. “I didn’t even study science at high school but I thought if I could run a real estate agency, I could do anything.

“I liked the small student cohort which meant personalised teaching from the lecturers and tutors and I was able to secure this job after a 12-week placement at The Prince Charles Hospital in my third year.

“The courses taught at USC helped immensely on my placement. I studied subjects such as exercise physiology and a paramedic course to specifically suit that role.”

Ms Murray’s Honours project on immunity in chronic airways disease is being supervised by UQ supervisors who are thoracic physicians at the hospital. “I hope to study medicine in 2016,” she said.

Applications are now open to start studying at USC mid-year. For more information visit the website or contact Student Administration on 5430 2890 or email information@usc.edu.au

Photo supplied by Silver Rose Photography.

— Julie Schomberg