Biomedical Sciences graduate Ariana Drabble in the cancer immunotherapy lab with the book she wrote earlier this year on Kanakana, the pouched lamprey.
Ariana Drabble has managed to cram a lot into her three years of Biomedical Sciences studies at the University of Otago.
As well as completing her degree, 21-year-old Ariana (Ngāti Whakaue (Te Arawa), Ngāti Raukawa, (Tainui), Ngāti Toa) was awarded two summer internships, has worked with iwi in Southland, and represented Otago on the University cheerleading squad. And this year, she found time to write a children’s book.
She graduates today with a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc), majoring in infection and immunity.
Ariana grew up on dairy farms in Southland, attending Central Southland College in Winton, with a year at Whanganui Collegiate School. By the end of year 11 she knew she wanted to work in science and has since become the first of her siblings to attend university.
Originally starting in health sciences at Otago, Ariana quickly realised there were lots of different research pathways she could choose thorough biomedical studies. She’s since found immunology the most interesting; in particular she loved the research experience of her research perspectives (360) paper on microbiology.
That interest led her to an internship last summer with Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) – Aotearoa's Māori Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE). NPM is a partnership of 21 research organisations conducting research relevant to Māori communities.
Working with Hokonui rūnanga, her freshwater ecology project was on the kanakana pouched lamprey – an endangered eel-like fish that starts its life in fresh water, then migrates to the sea as an adult, returning to fresh water to spawn and die.
The kanakana is highly significant to Southland iwi and the project was trying to increase its profile.
Ariana wrote a report as part of the field work, but also saw the benefit of educating children on understanding this taonga species. So, although she didn’t have any experience in the genre, she suggested to the project manager she also write a children’s book on kanakana to be used in local schools.
“NPM thought it was a great idea so long story short, now I’m an author,” she says.
Work experience with Professor Alexander McLellan his cancer immunotherapy lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology further cemented her interest in immunology, as did a project analysing samples from penguins for Professor Jemma Geoghegan’s virology studies.
Ariana will be working in the McLellan lab this summer, having now been awarded a prestigious Health Research Council 2025 Māori Summer Studentship Career Development Award.
Her project is looking at engineering antibodies to enhance anti-cancer therapy. The immune system is what protects humans from life-threatening diseases and cancers – Ariana’s research looks at what cells are responsible, and what can be done to help immune responses.
Her particular focus is a specific mutation that destroys breast cancer cells.
Ariana loves working at that cellular level and is fired up about working in an area that’s close to her heart.
“I have a family history - several close family members have experienced cancer, including a grandmother with breast cancer.
"It’s tough, but it’s also got me questioning what is happening and why is cancer is so hard for science to get on top of. It’s why I want to be part of research that looks at genetics and cancer.
"It would be great to work with people who are making change, especially to bring in more information that would improve health for Māori.”
Having completed her BBiomedSc, Ariana will study immunology towards her honours in 2025.
Eventually she’s thinking this may lead to PhD studies and a career in research, something her family is very proud of.
Kōrero by Claire Grant, Communications Advisor, School of Biomedical Sciences