19 | ALUMNI
JANE READ (nee FINNIE)
KAZUMA HONDA
Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) 2006 Open Foundation Certificate 2002
Bachelor of Nursing 2010 2010 Dean’s Merit Award
From the world of ballet to the world of biomedical science, Jane Read has had a unique career path.
Originally from Japan, Kazuma studied Nursing at the University’s Ourimbah campus on the Central Coast.
At the age of 30, Jane retired from her position in the Australian Ballet where she performed for 10 years. In her time there, she reached the rank of Senior Artist.
Since graduating he has worked at the Royal North Shore Hospital Intensive Care Unit on a 12-month rotation. “This has been an incredibly challenging yet rewarding role, which has certainly opened my eyes to the hardships of nursing,” says Kazuma.
“I have been privileged to have danced with the most talented of the world’s dancers and ballet companies, in all the destinations the world of ballet has to offer. It was a fantastic career while it lasted but eventually I felt it was time to move on, especially as I had been lucky enough to dance all the principle roles every little girl dreams of.” Jane completed the six month Open Foundation course and was accepted into the Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree, graduating with First Class Honours and the Faculty of Health Medal in 2006. “This could not have been achieved without the mentoring and inspiration from the many lecturers associated with this degree. However the time and effort afforded to me by Professor Ken Beagley (now with University of Queensland), and Professor Phil Hansbro was inspirational and invaluable.” After graduating Jane was offered the opportunity to work with Laureate Professor R. John Aitken at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development of Biological Sciences. In conjunction with Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), IVF Australia (IVFA) and Hunter IVF (HIVF), she is currently researching the effects of oxidative DNA damage in human sperm on fertility. While Jane says she is currently balancing her research with the important business of having a family, her vision for the future includes a possible PhD involving both of her interests: microbiology research and human reproduction research. “These are the areas I would most like to be researching, with the aim of achieving better contraceptives for both males and females and maybe even providing vaccines aimed at protecting against reproductive diseases such as Chlamydia and the herpes simplex viruses. The only fear I’ve encountered in association with this work is the lack of funding that can be attributed to this area of research.” With her past achievements as a guide it would appear that this challenge is unlikely to stop Jane achieving her goals!
Kazuma believes he would not have had this opportunity if it were not for his training and mentors at the University. “I was fortunate enough to be mentored by an extremely dedicated lecturer and this has inspired me to achieve as much as I possibly can.” During his time at the University and in keeping with the caring perspective which is essential in nursing, Kazuma worked with other students to ensure their wellbeing. “I was quite active in trying to assist international-nursing students by organising meetings at lunchtime to review any issues they were having during the semester. That experience came a very close second to my greatest achievement on campus, being awarded the 2010 Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence.” Continuing on the road of academic pursuit, Kazuma is now preparing to undertake an Honours program. “My Honours program will see me travel back to my native Japan to conduct research. “As a nurse and future researcher it is my vision to assist nurses to not only be well prepared and educated, but also to feel a sense of belonging within the nursing community and hospital, in order to reduce the high turnover of nurses. “I believe nurses are vital to every country’s future and, as a result, they need to be the very best they can be.”