Moving from Australia to northern Sweden isn’t exactly a small change of scenery. It’s a journey of more than 15,000 kilometres, across hemispheres, seasons, and cultures… not to mention about 30 hours of flights! But when the opportunity arose to undertake a postdoctoral fellowship at Umeå University, it seemed like the perfect chance to embrace a new scientific challenge and experience life somewhere completely different.
I’m Kezia Drane, an Australian microbiologist who recently joined Chinmay Dwibedi’s research group at Umeå University. Having completed my PhD in Australia, where I studied antimicrobial resistance in marine environments surrounding the Great Barrier Reef, I was excited by the opportunity to expand my research into computational genomics and the fascinating world of the human gut microbiome.
Environmental sampling during my PhD in Cleveland Bay, North Queensland, Australia
A new scientific direction
One of the things I find most interesting about microbiology is how much remains to be discovered about the interactions taking place within microbial communities. Microorganisms rarely exist in isolation, and exploring how they interact and exchange genetic information can help us understand how they colonise new environments and shape the communities that develop.
Through the PULSE fellowship, I’m exploring these questions using metagenomics and bioinformatic approaches. My current research focuses on understanding the role of plasmids in shaping the gut microbiome during early life. It’s an exciting opportunity to develop new skills and learn from researchers with different scientific backgrounds.
Beyond the research itself, the Umeå scientific community has been incredibly welcoming. I’ve also discovered that the Swedes really know how to do a morning tea… fika is definitely a tradition I can get behind!
Finding my feet in northern Sweden
Of course, moving to Umeå has involved much more than starting a new research project. Beyond the practical challenges of relocating internationally (and recovering from a ten-hour time difference), one of the biggest attractions was the chance to experience a different way of life and explore a part of the world that had previously felt very far away.
I’ve spent much of my free time exploring Umeå and the surrounding woodlands. Coming from tropical northern Australia, we’ve particularly loved watching the trees change colour with the arrival of autumn, something we don’t really experience back home. Our outdoor adventures haven’t all gone quite to plan, though. During a particularly wet walk around Grössjön, I stepped off the path and nearly lost a shoe to the mire. We did spot a woodpecker along the way, which made the soggy socks completely worthwhile!
Minutes before stepping off the path to get a better look at a bird, and nearly losing a shoe! Grössjön, Västerbotten, Sweden.
Looking ahead
With winter approaching, I’m looking forward to experiencing my first proper northern Swedish winter… and my first white Christmas (unless white beaches count). However, I suspect learning how to dress for the weather will be an adventure in itself.
Although I’m still at the beginning of my time here, I’m excited about what lies ahead, both inside and outside the university. The opportunity to develop my research while experiencing life in another part of the world is something I’m grateful for, and I’m looking forward to getting to know more of the UCMR community.
And hopefully, by the end of my first winter, I’ll have figured out how many layers are actually necessary!
Kezia Drane
