French Research Fellow Moves Across the World to Pursue her PhD
Growing up in the South of France and studying in Paris, CCRG International Research Fellow and PhD Candidate, Eden Kharrouba moved across the world to Australia to further her experience in biomedical science. In France, Eden completed a Bachelor of Science - Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry at CPGE Joffre, and dual Master of Science at ESPCI Paris and Mines Paris.
“I originally aspired to become a veterinarian,” Eden says. “But turned my focus to medical research, drawn by the opportunity and challenge to help clinicians address questions that could improve patient outcomes.”
Eager to apply her scientific skills and contribute to healthcare innovation, Eden joined CCRG, inspired by the group’s internationally renowned translational research.
“In France, advanced scientific training often takes place outside universities through the highly selective Grandes Écoles pathway, which involves two years of intensive preparation and national competitive exams. This system admits only a small number of candidates each year to institutions such as ESPCI Paris and Mines Paris, where I completed my studies.”
“Something I’ve noticed since I moved to Australia and joining CCRG, is that the healthcare system and research landscape is highly complex and integrated, and brings together many different stakeholders. I genuinely value the opportunity to collaborate with people from such diverse backgrounds, including biological scientists, nurses, physiotherapists and clinicians. I think this is what makes CCRG’s research so impactful.”
Prior to moving to Australia, Eden completed numerous internships, as required by French engineering schools, which equipped her with valuable skills for her PhD.
“My first internship was in Paris for a healthcare and biotechnology strategy consultancy firm. Then, when I first arrived in Australia, I completed a research internship with The University of Queensland’s Queensland Brain Institute conducting fundamental research in neuroscience with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders, and later with a machine-learning and AI hospital laboratory developing new models to predict the prognosis of patients with cardiovascular diseases.”
At CCRG, Eden works closely with researchers from both the Innovative Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology Laboratory (ICETLab) and the Scientific and Translational Research Laboratory (STARLab).
“Among others, I’m supported by CCRG’s biomedical engineering team, including Dr Eric Wu and Dr Jessica Benitez, who I am working with on the mock circulatory loop for hemodynamic investigations, and Dr Sandra Parker, who leads investigations into complement activation. Together, we bring a complementary mix of skills and experiences to CCRG’s various research programs.
With ICETLab and STARLab, Eden is exploring innovations in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to improve long-term outcomes.
“We know that ECMO is an essential life-saving device for patients, but we also know that it can cause harm and impact long-term outcomes. This challenge is central to much of the work we’re undertaking as we look for solutions that reduce complications and improve patient recovery.
“One way we are looking at doing this is by investigating the interactions of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) with ECMO. This is crucial as over half of the patients on ECMO also require CRRT, with additional complications and worst prognosis.
“So we are exploring ECMO CRRT interactions across different configurations to help ensure the best possible care for patients. With the international team and breadth and depth of knowledge here, I truly believe CCRG is very well placed to lead this research.”
After road tripping through Queensland before starting her PhD, Eden is hoping to visit other states and territories, attending medical conferences along the way.