Rebecca McKenzie

I entered into the world of molecular science in 2010 completing a BSc(Hons) in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago. Here I fell into the world of CRISPR-Cas an adaptive bacterial immune system that has now taken the world by storm with its abilities to edit the human genome completing my honours degree in the lab of Peter FIneran. Through this topic I made my way to Delft University of Technology to work as a research assistant and then complete my PhD degree also focussed on the topic of CRISPR-Cas immunity and the interaction between viruses and bacteria on a single cell level. On completion of my PhD I returned to New Zealand and had the desire to apply my skills in research and communication to a topic in science directly contributing to the better health of others and as a result I accepted the exciting position at the Malaghan Institute as a postdoc on setting up an RNA vaccine and therapeutic pipeline.