UNSW PhD student Tiana Wang's selection recognises her promising work in RNA therapeutics and leadership potential.
Tiana Wang from UNSW Medicine & Health and The Kirby Institute has been selected for the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science PhD Mentoring Scheme , a prestigious initiative supporting emerging women leaders in STEMM.
Ms Wang is one of four researchers from Australia chosen for the scheme, which connects PhD students with leading female scientists and industry mentors.
"This opportunity comes at an important stage in my career, where I'm thinking not just about the science itself, but how to lead research that creates real-world impact," Ms Wang said.
"I want to develop a clearer vision for how to translate my research from the lab into therapies that can reach patients. I'm particularly passionate about ensuring RNA treatments are accessible, equitable and reach the people who need them most."
Professor Cheryl Jones, Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health, congratulated Ms Wang on being selected for the prestigious mentoring scheme.
"After winning UNSW's 3 Minute Thesis competition last year, Tiana demonstrated not only the strength of her research in novel RNA therapeutics, but also an exceptional ability to communicate complex science with clarity and impact," Prof. Jones said.
"Her selection for the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science PhD Mentoring Scheme recognises both her scientific potential and her leadership qualities. Programs like this are incredibly important to attract women and people of all genders into STEMM fields. Mentorship and visible female role models offered by this program help support the next generation of women in science to thrive, lead and translate groundbreaking research into real-world outcomes."
This opportunity comes at an important stage in my career, where I'm thinking not just about the science itself, but how to lead research that creates real-world impact.
Advancing RNA therapy research
Ms Wang's research focuses on developing RNA-based treatments for infectious diseases that currently have no cure. Her PhD project centres on HTLV-1, a virus that can cause aggressive cancer and neurological disease and for which there is currently no treatment, vaccine or cure.
"What makes this area so exciting right now is that RNA therapies are opening an entirely new way to treat disease. It works by permanently silencing the virus - we call this 'block and lock' treatment," Ms Wang said.
The research aims to block the virus at the promoter level, effectively shutting it down at its source. Researchers are also investigating ways to deliver therapies in simple and accessible forms, including as a nasal spray, to help reach communities most affected by the disease.
Ms Wang said she was drawn to studying HTLV-1 because of the devastating impact the virus had on communities around the world and the fact it received relatively little attention.
"I was excited when I learnt that RNA interference therapies offer a completely different way to treat disease. It was a real paradigm shift, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought RNA into the spotlight and showcased the potential of rapidly developing RNA-based medicines," Ms Wang said.
"I realised this technology has the potential to transform how we treat infectious diseases. The idea that something so precise could be scaled and made accessible to communities worldwide makes it feel like we're at the beginning of a powerful new frontier in medicine."
The importance of mentorship in science
As she nears completion of her PhD, Ms Wang said access to experienced women mentors through the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science PhD Mentoring Scheme would be invaluable in helping her navigate the next stage of her career.
"Medical research can feel overwhelming at times, so having mentors who've been through similar experiences provides long-term perspective and a foundation for self-confidence. It makes a big difference to have people who can support you, advocate for you, and help you think more strategically about your career," Ms Wang said.
"It's really inspiring to see women leading in STEMM, especially in fields like infectious disease and therapeutics. It reinforces that those pathways are possible and that we should be taking leading development and translation of important medical advances."
Ms Wang said she has benefited from strong mentorship throughout her research journey, particularly from her supervisor, Associate Professor Chantelle Ahlenstiel. She said experiences such as competing in the 3 Minute Thesis competition highlighted the importance of communicating complex science clearly and accessibly to create real-world impact.
It makes a big difference to have people who can support you, advocate for you, and help you think more strategically about your career.
L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science PhD Mentoring Scheme
Founded by L'Oréal and UNESCO, the For Women in Science program aims to increase the representation of women in scientific careers and support the next generation of women leaders in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine).
The Australian mentoring program connects PhD students with alumni of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships - accomplished researchers, communicators and leaders in academia and industry.
Through regular mentoring sessions and professional development workshops, the program provides emerging women scientists with guidance, leadership development opportunities and access to a national network of mentors and peers.
