Interviews with Scientists: Dr Lahiru Gangoda
Dr Lahiru Gangoda completed a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with first class Honours from the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka in 2005. In 2008, she obtained a Master in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics from La Trobe University. Lahiru then joined the laboratory of Professor Nicholas Hoogenraad as a research assistant during which she gained skills in monoclonal antibody production and screening. In 2011, she began her doctoral studies under the supervision of Dr Hamsa Puthalakath. Lahiru’s PhD research was based on mouse tumour models and she investigated the role of Bim as a tumour suppressor in Carney complex.
In 2014, Lahiru started her first postdoctoral position in the laboratory of Professor Suresh Mathivanan at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), investigating ways to overcome chemotherapeutic drug resistance in colorectal cancer. She was awarded a prestigious Victorian Cancer Agency Early Career Seed Grant to continue her research in 2016 and the La Trobe University Research Excellence Award for an early career researcher in the same year. In 2018, she joined the laboratory of A/Prof. Marco Herold at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. Her current research involves improving treatment outcomes for melanoma patients and this work is funded by a CASS Foundation Science/Medicine grant.
We spoke to Lahiru about her current research, the biggest lessons she’s learned in her career so far, and more.
Great to speak to you, Lahiru! Firstly, please do tell us a bit more about your current research...
My current research focuses on improving treatment for melanoma patients, but I also work on improving treatment options for other types of cancers such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer and neuroblastoma.
Most cancers are found when they are too advanced to be removed by surgery. At advanced stages where cancer has spread to different parts of the body, the main treatment option is the use of anti-cancer drugs. Most anti-cancer drugs affect both cancer and healthy cells in the body and elicit lots of off-target effects which affects the quality of life of patients undergoing treatment.
Despite aggressive treatment using anti-cancer drugs, in a lot of cases patients either do not respond to the treatment from the beginning or initially respond but develop resistance to the drug over time and the cancer keeps coming back. This is known as "chemotherapy resistance". My research aims to overcome chemotherapy resistance by developing alternative treatment options that are directed specifically towards the cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, hence reducing adverse side effects. To achieve this, I focus on blocking certain proteins which are found in high amounts in cancer cells only and give them a survival advantage.
How has the global COVID-19 pandemic impacted your research?
My research has slowed down significantly as we are all practising social distancing. Hopefully, we will get to go back to work soon.
Did you always want to be a scientist when you were younger?
I always wanted to be a scientist. My parents and most of my relatives were in the science field, so I had lots of role models who instilled a passion for science in me. At school, I really liked maths and science. But I liked subjects such as art as well, and drawing is something I still pursue as a hobby.
What advice would you give those just starting out in their science career?
Ask for help when you need it. Do not be afraid to speak up about problems you are facing with your research. Only then can others find ways to help out.
What's the most important lesson you have learned in your career so far?
Perseverance. Working in science has many highs and lows. Finding the strength to keep going despite failures and hurdles is important for a long-term career in science.
What’s your biggest achievement in your career to date?
Although it has been a while since I completed my PhD, I still think that is my biggest achievement. I moved to Australia as an international student for my higher education, and I started my PhD six months after becoming a mother. I also had a bit of a bumpy start, as I had to change supervisors one year into my PhD. But despite that, I was able to finish my PhD in three-and-a-half years with six publications including two first-author publications. This was all because of the support from my family. So, the day I got my PhD was a very proud moment for all of us.
What do you think are the biggest challenges currently facing life scientists and their work?
As a complete wet lab researcher, the biggest challenge I feel is the job insecurity. Full research positions are funded on “soft money.” Although this involves fewer teaching responsibilities, which frees time for grant writing and conducting research, it has less job security, since it is necessary to attract external grants and contracts.
What does a typical day in the lab look like for you?
I get to work by 9 am and usually head straight to the cell culture room to check on how the cancer cells are growing on culture dishes. Around 10 am I head to the tearoom with my colleagues. Some mornings we have lab or staff meetings during morning tea time. Next, I answer my emails and head back to the lab to do more experiments. I have lunch while attending seminars where other scientists from my institute or guest speakers present their research. I do more experiments before afternoon teatime. For the next couple of hours, I get to sit down at my desk and check some results, work on presentations, check more emails and start planning for the next day. This is just an overview though, as no two days are alike in the lab.
What does your typical day look like at the moment while your lab is closed?
I have a lot of Zoom and Skype meetings at the moment. We still have lab meetings, division and institute seminars where we present our data or discuss journal articles. Also, we have started doing some fun activities such as Zoom Trivia and virtual coffee to keep in touch with colleagues. As the shutdown has happened during the major grant submission time in Australia, we are also preparing for grant submissions, catching up on literature and manuscript writing.
Outside of your research and any related work, what do you enjoy doing most?
I love to travel with my family. At least once a year we try to visit a place we haven’t been before and explore a different culture and gain new experiences. I have a bucket list of places I would like to travel to. I am fortunate to be a scientist as you typically get to travel to awesome places around the world for conferences, to talk about your work and meet other cool scientists. I also love to capture these adventures on my camera.
If you weren’t a scientist, what do you think you’d be doing now?
I would probably be doing something artistic such as interior designer, fashion designer or photographer.
What is it about your field of research that gets you most excited?
I love that every day is different. You feel like a detective investigating what makes cancer cells grow the way they do. You are constantly on the lookout for the culprits.
Which fellow scientists working today do you most admire, and why?
It is hard to pick one. All my fellow scientists inspire me every day and give me the courage to keep working hard at my research.
What’s your favorite science quote?
“Science never sleeps.”
What do you think is the greatest scientific discovery of all time?
The discovery of DNA by the Swiss physician Friedrich Miescher and later its structure by Watson and Crick. Being a biomedical researcher, DNA is something I constantly have to consider and work with when doing my research.
_______________________________________
Thank you so much for speaking to us, Lahiru. And we wish you all the best with your grant submissions and continued research.
Dr Lahiru Gangoda is a member of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR). She is also part of the ASMR Victorian State Committee and acts as a science communicator for ASMR. Her melanoma research project is funded by a CASS Foundation Science/Medicine Grant.
Follow Lahiru on Twitter at @LGangoda
_______________________________________
If you enjoyed this article, why not check out the other resources available on our blog. We are passionate about supporting life scientists, early career life scientists and PhD students - with really low- priced reagents and biochemicals, travel grants, and resources to help with both personal and professional development. We know how tough it is - so we hope you find these helpful!
Advice & guidance for life scientists
Click below to view our essential guides and articles to support life scientists, PhD students & early career life scientists:
Wellbeing for scientists
Click below for our resources to help improve your wellbeing:
Technical resources
Try our Molarity Calculator: a quick and easy way to calculate the mass, volume or concentration required for making a solution.
Try our Dilution Calculator: an easy way to work out how to dilute stock solutions of known concentrations
And - when you get to the stage of planning your experiments, don't forget that we offer a range of agonists, antagonists, inhibitors, activators, antibodies and fluorescent tools at up to half the price of other suppliers - click below to see how we compare with other suppliers:
