T R A I N I N G
ENGINEERING A WORLD
OF DIFFERENCE FROM
THE WAIKATO
REN223
THE WORLD IS CALLING OUT FOR ENGINEERS TO BUILD NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND
FIND SOLUTIONS TO MAJOR CHALLENGES. CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEER
SHALINI GULERIA IS MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE TO BREAST CANCER AND
TISSUE ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO.
Bioengineering research was not
initially part of Shalini’s plan; prior to
studying at the University of Waikato
she expected to start her career as an
industrial engineer, working in a consulting firm.
It was an interest in biology, chemistry and the
application of engineering processes, combined
with a love of research, that turned her path
to a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in
Chemical and Biological Engineering, a Master
of Science (Research) and her current role as an
environmental engineer.
“I loved the aspect of my degree where we had
to do a research project and then come up with a
solution to the problem. I could be innovative and
explore a variety of ideas, also learning new things
on the side,” says Shalini.
Now she has the best of both worlds. During
the day she applies her industrial engineering
knowledge to her job with Wallace Group LP,
maintaining the biological treatment plant and
managing production waste, before fulfilling
her need for discovery and learning through
postgraduate study. Her study is made possible
by both the flexible learning structure of the
Master’s programme and her own dedication to
the area of biological engineering.
Shalini’s research focuses on finding a way to
develop better detection models for tumor-based
cancers and reduce the trauma and discomfort of
women with breast cancer. This begins in the field
of tissue engineering, with the first step printing
3D models out of plastic to test the design. Her
next step is to replace the plastic in the 3D printer
with cancer cells and see how the cancer grows
from the webbed, mesh-like design to a palmsized
tumor. These models can be cut open,
unlike the 2D models currently being used for
scientific research, to see the exact formation of
the cells and how they respond to treatment with
the common breast cancer chemotherapy drug,
Cisplatin.
The reaction of a 3D model to the drug will be
compared to the reactions of current 2D cells
to provide a more representative and potentially
more accurate understanding of the cancer.
Shalini’s bioengineering research aims to find a
way to hone in on the use of the chemotherapy
drug, finding the right treatment time and dosage
to reduce the side effects for women and
eventually treat each case individually, with cancer
cells specific to each patient.
“When I meet cancer patients and tell them about
what I’m doing they feel a sense of relief. I know
the work I am doing now will have significance in
the coming future.”
After completing her Master of Science
(Research) Shalini’s goal is to become specialised
in tissue engineering through a doctorate.
The University of Waikato offers a Master of
Science (Research) in 12 majors, from computer
science, mathematics and materials and
processing to chemistry, molecular and cellular
biology, ecology and earth sciences. An MSc
(Research) will provide students with a combined
mix of research and practical lab work, one-onone
time with leading academics and access to
well-equipped laboratories and facilities.
Shalini’s research is just one example of what
postgraduate students at the University of
Waikato can do. Erin Sims completed a Bachelor
of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical
Engineering and a Master of Engineering. She is
now working in a mechatronics-oriented role at
Robotics Plus, researching, designing and building
new technologies that help improve productivity
and measurement accuracy.
Find out more about Shalini’s story at waikato.
ac.nz/go/Shalini, and Erin’s story at waikato.ac.nz/
go/Erin.
46 November 2018