After a career delivering fitness results as a personal trainer, a University of the Sunshine Coast Biomedical Science student is now delivering results of a different kind.

Katherine Thompson, 24, of Sippy Downs has started work as a clinical embryologist at a Brisbane fertility clinic after completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with minors in clinical embryology, medical microbiology, physiology and anatomy.

“I started with City Fertility at Sunnybank in April of this year and now I’m lucky enough to be working in a laboratory helping to give people the opportunity to have a family – I help create little miracles!” she said.

USC Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science Dr Mark Holmes said the new Clinical Embryology course was well supported by the Queensland IVF industry.

“The students are trained in assisted reproductive techniques under the guidance of experienced IVF scientists and university staff,” he said.

“Students also have the opportunity to undertake two days of observational placement in an IVF clinic in Brisbane during the course.”

Katherine completed her placement at City Fertility in Brisbane’s Sunnybank, and she was later offered a job with them during her final months of study.

“The theory components have prepared me with an in-depth understanding of the science behind embryology, and the practical components helped me gain valuable laboratory skills necessary for the field of embryology,” she said.

Katherine said she’s proud of her achievements, especially after taking an indirect route to university studies.

“I attended Mountain Creek State High School but didn’t finish my schooling in favour of studying at TAFE to become a personal trainer,” she said.

“I hope that my educational journey shows people that there is more than one way to do things in life and, even though I didn’t finish school, I was able to gain entry in to USC by completing my studies at TAFE.”

Katherine said she plans to do further research in the embryology field in the future but is currently focused on an immediate milestone.

“At this early stage of my career, I believe that seeing the first baby born that I have assisted with will be a fantastic and memorable achievement in my life,” she said.

— Megan Woodward