Abstract
I completed my PhD in 2013 under the supervision of Prof Cristobal G. dos Remedios, Department of Anatomy and Histology, The University of Sydney. His guidance and exemplary scientific standard in his laboratory ignited an insatiable scientific curiosity that continuously pushes me towards new knowledge through my own research.
I completed a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Sydney with honours from the Sydney Brain and Mind Research Institute. After my undergraduate years, I wished to pursue my interest in research and completed a PhD in 2013 under the supervision of Prof Cristobal G. dos Remedios in the Department of Anatomy and Histology at The University of Sydney.
My PhD research project focused on using DNA as a sensor for the detection of toxins in water (Foreman et al. 2011). More recently, in collaboration with Cris, I published a review paper on heavy metal cation binding to deoxyribonucleic acids for the creation of chemical sensors (Kanellis and dos Remedios 2018). I look back on by PhD years with fondness as a period of great personal and professional growth. Cris was a constant and supportive teacher and mentor. After completing my PhD, I studied medicine and I am now working as a 2nd year basic physician trainee (medical registrar) and honorary dermatology registrar at the Canberra Hospital. It is my ambition to have a career as a dermatologist and continue to pursue dermatological research work. I believe that there are potential applications of my PhD research work in clinical medicine, using DNA as a sensor for the detection of biological markers for skin cancer such as BRAF mutations (Li et al. 2020). I would like to put the knowledge and skills I gained during my PhD years working with Cris to pursue this type of research in the field of dermatological medicine.
As a medical doctor, I have conducted research work and published primarily in the area of skin cancer prevention and paediatric sun safety (Kanellis and Kanellis 2020a, b, c; Kanellis et al. 2020), as well as ultraviolet radiation and melanin sensors (Kanellis 2019a, b). I have a particular interest in the early years of life when so much irreversible damage can be done to the skin by excess UV radiation exposure, and yet future harm can so easily be prevented. I have also continued an interest in the use of sensors for medical and public health benefits. As an extension of this work, last August, I began a social media campaign on Facebook (MyHat MySkin), Twitter (MyHatMySkin) and Instagram (MyHat_MySkin) to promote skin cancer awareness and to educate people about how to prevent it. I also created an educational website (www.myhatmyskin.com).
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Cris for all the kind support and encouragement he gave me during my PhD years.
Warmest Wishes,
Vangelis Kanellis
MBBS/PhD/B.Eng/ B.Med.Sci.(Hons)
Medical Registrar (Basic Physician Trainee) and Honorary Dermatology Registrar at The Canberra Hospital
Lecturer at College of Health and Medicine, ANU
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References
- Foreman AL, Phillips L, Kanellis VG, Hammoudeh D, Naumann C, Wong H, Chisari R, Hibbert DB, Lee GSH, Patra R, Julli M, Chapman J, Cooke AR, dos Remedios CG. A DNA-based assay for toxic chemicals in wastewater. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2011;30(8):1810–1818. doi: 10.1002/etc.568. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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