Courtney Brown: Humans of BioSciences

Meet Courtney Brown, who is in her final semester of a Master of Science (BioSciences) degree, specialising in Genetics. Courtney is a member of the Robin Lab and is researching pesticide resistance in fruit flies.

Courtney in the lab

What problem are you trying to solve with your research?

My research explores the use of genetic technology to combat resistance by insects to pesticides. Pesticides are our main method of protecting crops from fruit flies on an industrial scale. Pesticides target acetylcholinesterase, a protein that enables a fruit fly’s neurotransmitter to signal muscles to contract, stopping it from working and so paralysing the insect. However, this protein can develop resistance mutations that reduce the effectiveness of pesticides, and enable the insect to function even in the presence of pesticides.

Using a new genetics technology, I’m designing a gene drive to counter this issue. The gene drive will be able to change the pesticide resistant mutations in the protein into those that are susceptible to the pesticide, and additionally could cause a second mutation that enables a ‘super-susceptibility’ to a chemical that that is traditionally harmless to insects. The scope of my project will not enable me to explore this ‘super-susceptibility’, but future Masters students can pick up where I left off and make modifications to the gene drive with the aim to replace pesticides with this ‘harmless’ chemical that would not harm any insect present in the environment apart from the fruit flies that would carry the gene drive. This could end the need for traditional chemical pesticides, which are not specific (targeting every organism that encounters it), and can linger in the environment, as well as be dangerous for human health.

Fruit flies

What inspired you to choose your research project?

When I was in third year of my BSc, I looked at many different labs to find a research project for my Masters. I was inspired by a lecture given by Charlie Robin (now my Masters supervisor), and decided to pursue the gene drives project in his lab. The more work I do on the project, the more I love it. The members of our lab are all just as passionate about what they do, and this has inspired me to work even harder!

What do you enjoy doing outside science?

Courtney in the field

I enjoy hanging out with my friends, taking photographs, knitting and reading.

I have lived at the residential college Janet Clarke Hall since I started my undergrad degree. Although it has been different this year due to the precautions we’ve taken surrounding COVID-19, there is always someone around for a chat or a game, or to keep me company whilst I am knitting and reading!

I’m a big fan of long scarves and have knitted three throughout my degree including a three metre scarf in my college colours of navy blue, red and yellow; a two metre long cream cable knit; and another three metre long scarf in a grey broken rib pattern.

scarf My three favourite books at the moment include:

  • Huston, We Have a Narrative by Randy Olson. It’s about how science, while fascinating and complex, can be incredibly dry when written. I heard about the book in my Science Communication class and hope to sneak some of the things I learnt from the book into my thesis.
  • The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees. It is a fantastic guide to help you to learn to develop a sense of style and dress for a professional setting. It’s more about how to identify the clothes you want to wear based on your daily life, as opposed to a list of trends or what ‘fast fashion’ is pushing at you.
  • Close to Home by Alice Pung. It’s a collection of short pieces of writing by Alice who is a dear friend, and the artist in residence here at Janet Clarke Hall. Her voice is fantastic, and I found myself hooked into the story on page four and I finished the book in two days.
What are your top study snacks?

Right now, I’m really into salty snacks like Pretzel Twists and Baked Pea Crisps! Strawberries are on special at the moment which is great and I can’t wait for grapes to come into season! I drink a decent amount of coffee (like most students I’d imagine). I try to not drink caffeine after midday and switch to ‘pink tea’ (strawberry, raspberry and loganberry) and peppermint in the afternoon, and chamomile or lemon and ginger at night!

study snacks

Find Out More

Master of Science (BioSciences)

Bachelor of Science

The Robin Lab

Janet Clarke Hall