Heidi Richardson followed her love of science from school to a research career, including looking at SIDS in babies.
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
STUDENTS at Upper Yarra Secondary College are celebrating 50 years of history this year and past student Heidi Richardson has reflected on her time at the school and how it has led her to a prestigious university research facility in America.
Heidi was a graduate from 1998, whose life as a scientist began with studying science at Upper Yarra Secondary College in 1993.
Now more than a decade later, Heidi said she had been “by no means a stellar student”.
“In fact, I’m sure my teachers were glad to see the end of my study habits – I was known for my procrastination and last minute assignments,” she said.
Graduation led her to follow her interests, taking her to Monash University to complete a Bachelor of Science, majoring in human physiology and anatomy, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Reproductive Sciences.
Heidi said after so much study she had felt that it was time for a brain break. “I worked as a restaurant manager for a year,” she said.
“I guess I missed the challenges of the academic world, because that’s when I went back to Monash… and I fell into research.”
She worked at the Ritchie Centre for Baby Health Research as an Honours student, and then spent four years working towards her PhD, purely to achieve the title of “Doctor”.
Her research focused on trying to understand the mechanisms of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by performing sleep studies on healthy infants and studying their physiological responses when exposed to SIDS risk factors, such as babies sleeping on their stomachs.
Heidi was given many new and different opportunities throughout her PhD, presenting her work at scientific conferences in Australia and around the world. “I published my findings in medical journals, and perhaps the best part was when my work was featured in the media (newspapers, TV and a radio interview),” she said.
“After staying in my lab as a post-doctoral researcher for a year, I received a research fellowship which pays my salary for four years, allowing me to move overseas to learn new skills, then return to Australia to implement them.”
Heidi is currently working for the Department of Neurobiology at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), learning analysis techniques of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the human brain.
“I have been investigating the brain regions and nerve pathways responsible for the control of heart rate, blood pressure and breathing in patients with sleep apnea and a variety of other sleep-related issues,” she said.
“The brain is a fascinating organ, I’m learning plenty…and working on a campus that is often used for filming TV and movies can be exciting!” Heidi said she was still not certain “what I want to be when I ‘grow up’, but research has served me well so far”.
“I remember my Upper Yarra days fondly – I treasure the friendships I still have from my high school days and I know that the enthusiasm – and patience – of my teachers is what first sparked my passion for science and for asking questions, without which I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Upper Yarra Secondary College will celebrate its 50 year anniversary with celebrations throughout October.
