Humans of BioSciences: Ana Parra Nuñez

Meet Ana Parra Nuñez, a final year PhD candidate exploring CRISPR-based approaches to genetic pest control. Inspired by Jane Goodall from a young age, Ana once dreamed of becoming an ethologist or, alternatively, owning a restaurant and becoming a chef and mixologist. Originally from Mexico, Ana calls Melbourne home now, where life outside the lab includes soccer, hiking and exploring the city like a tourist.

What do you do in the School?

I started by PhD in 2022 under the supervision of Dr. Simon Baxter and A/Prof. Charles Robin. My work focuses on developing CRISPR-based genetic pest control strategies using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. One of the projects I'm most proud of involved creating a Drosophila fly line that can only produce male progeny! Apart from my PhD, I am currently a first-year biology demonstrator and senior member of the BIOPS soccer team.

What do you enjoy doing outside of science?

Having moved from Mexico to Australia to complete my PhD, I love that I get to explore Melbourne as a tourist and enjoy looking for new activities and places to visit. This has led me to meet so many cool people and discover amazing coffee shops (my current favourite is Touchwood in Richmond). I enjoy running, hiking, camping and going to farmers markets. I also love watching all kinds of live sports, with soccer being my favourite. Outside of this, I also enjoy volunteering. I recently helped organise a Gordon Research Seminar in the US which was such a rewarding experience!

Ana on a solo multi-day hike at the Three Capes Track (Tasman National Park) in Tasmania

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Jane Goodall has been my role model ever since I can remember, so part of me wanted to become an ethologist and conservationist just like her (and preferably interact with chimpanzees along the way). Another part of me wanted to own a restaurant and become a chef and mixologist.

What was the most pivotal point in your career to date?

When I was an undergraduate at the University of British Columbia, my Honors project supervisor Asst. Prof. Ben Matthews encouraged me to complete a de novo transcriptome for a mosquito species. I remember preferring to do a behaviour-based project instead, but was happy to give the transcriptome a try! Easy to say I loved that project and it completely changed my perspecive on genetics. Once complete, I was left with an “I’d like to know more” feeling, which ultimately led me to pursue a PhD in genetics. So, Dr. Matthews if you ever read this, thank you!

Last year Ana worked on Drosophila suzukii flies at North Carolina State University on producing male and female flies expressing green and red flourescent proteins, respectively

What are you most looking forward to in the next 6 months?

I am in the last month of my PhD where thesis writing is all I can think about. Once that milestone is achieved, I am very much looking forward to exploring career opportunities. Outside of work, I'm looking forward to running my first marathon in Ballarat, visiting a new country (maybe Thailand), and spending the summer holidays in Melbourne with my Australian family. Also, my favourite comedian Gabriel Iglesias is coming to town!