IPRI Interview: Anna Kulaga

A number of our Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) students have wrapped up their PhD studies and have either recently submitted their thesis or have graduated - and are now moving on to their next career adventure. We caught up with a handful of them for our IPRI Interview Series to find out more about their work, how the post-graduate experience was for them, what’s next and more.

After last speaking with Eileen Stacey late last year, we now catch up with Anna Kulaga , who worked on the development of a model for the vascularisation of islet-laden constructs. Anna now finds herself working as an Associate Research Fellow at BIENCO . We chat to her about all this and more.

Congratulations on submitting your thesis. Can you tell us a bit about your PhD research topic and how it all went?

Thank you very much! My thesis was on the development of a model for the vascularisation of islet-laden constructs. I know that’s a mouthful, so I will break it down.

The key focus – or let’s say the bigger picture – was to improve islet transplantation for those with severe type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune disease that impacts the quality of life but also places a financial burden. The immune system attacks the cells in islets in the pancreas that are responsible for producing insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. Current treatment relies on insulin injection with or without a glucose monitoring device. Now a large array of long-term complications can arise, such as cardiovascular disease, amputations, kidney disease and more. But it does not only come down to that. Individuals are also more likely to develop mental health complications impacting their quality of life even more.

There are individuals who can develop severe hypoglycaemia and low blood sugar levels where the brain does not send signals that say 'Hey we have low blood sugar levels' which would typically result in symptoms alerting you of low blood sugar levels. This can lead to a greater risk of hospitalisations and long-term health complications and requiring assistance from others. A current treatment is islet transplantation which involves receiving islets from a donor and transfusing them into the portal vein of the patient. This has challenges leading to reduced viability and function of the islets leading to multiple transplants being required. The blood supply in the islet is highly intricate and dense to enable them to detect and respond to changes in blood glucose levels. This means that the islets are highly metabolically active and require an adequate blood supply. When the islets are harvested, this network of blood supply is disrupted reducing the viability of the islets. Also, donor pancreases are a scarce resource reducing the number of individuals who can receive islet transplantation but must also be placed on a waiting list.

Now, a large focus on research is trying to improve the viability and function of these islets to improve long-term outcome of the transplantation. My PhD focused on using 3D bioprinting to try and create blood vessels to reestablish the blood supply early in the transplantation. Not only that but change in transplantation site is a keen interest as it can be minimally invasive whilst also supporting islets. This will then increase the recovery of the islets enabling them to function and respond to blood glucose levels.

Why did you decide to do a PhD and why at IPRI?

My interest in the PhD stemmed from my honours project from my undergraduate degree. For these, I studied Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney and then had the opportunity to do an honours project in 3D bioprinting. But wait, can you guess it? It was essentially the same topic as my PhD but to treat type 1 diabetes in dogs. My honours project spiked my interest in this area, and I wanted to somehow continue this road.

I ended up going to an open day at IPRI and long and behold, I found out that there was a project for using 3D bioprinting in the field of diabetes. As soon as I got home, I emailed Professor Gordon Wallace with my interest and before I knew it I was starting my PhD. I would also say the location of the campus also made it a more attractive offer where the beauty of the ocean and the mountains is striking.

What were the biggest things you learned throughout the process?

The biggest thing I would say that I learned throughout my PhD was self-reflection and there is more towards doing a PhD than just research. Over the years, you experience the highs and the lows and sometimes that ride can be stuck in one direction. Learning how to just be in the present can help bring balance, as I like to always say ‘one step at a time’ or ‘day by day’ can help to ground you. There are a lot of times when you feel out of control but bringing yourself back to the present day can bring back the sense of control and enable you to progress forward.

I believe you're now working at BIENCO? How did this opportunity come about and what is your role?

Yes, that is correct. I am now an Associate Research Fellow at BIENCO working with Professor Gordon Wallace’s team at the University of Wollongong. BIENCO is addressing the global challenge of corneal blindness by the innovation of bioengineering the cornea. Since I had a key interest in the field of bioengineering, I expressed my interest in being part of the team and before I knew it, I became part of it. Now I am working on trying to introduce cells into the stroma, through various methods and evaluate their effect on the product itself.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome during your PhD?

The biggest challenge that I had to overcome was the constant battle in me leading to self-doubt, imposter syndrome and the feeling of unworthiness. While I was doing my PhD I always got caught up in my research and the things that weren’t going right, but I never told myself ‘You are doing the best that you can’. All these factors get thrown into the mix and can cause you to spiral and feel like you are sinking deeper and deeper into it. But I slowly started to learn to take a step back from the chaos leaving it in front of me. I was able to self-reflect and try to understand the chaos that I felt like I was in and unravel it strand by strand like a warning of wool. With some help, I started to learn to dial down those negative self-talk thoughts and started to come to the realisation that my worth is not measured by the setbacks but my persistence and personal growth. I realised that it is important to feel the emotions that you do but just be aware of it and let it pass rather than being swept into the storm. Take a break and reflect on how far you have come and bit by bit, you start to understand yourself more in those situations and look at it with a more unbiased perspective about yourself. Self-love is a journey and doing my PhD has taught me the importance of it. ?

What would be your favourite moment from your PhD experience?

I don’t think I can pick just one favourite moment. Thanks to my PhD I was able to create meaningful relationships that will last a lifetime, and those friendships are what encourage you to continue and do what you love. I had the amazing opportunity to work with Professor Toby Coate’s team in Adelaide and from that, I will have memories that I will hold forever and friendships that I will cherish. Other amazing opportunities include going to international conferences and the feeling I got when you attended these - I was awestruck. To see all these individuals come together for a common purpose to create cures or treatments makes you feel inspired and encouraged to continue what you are doing.

But I must thank the people here at IPRI as they have also created those favourite moments of mine. From grabbing a coffee and having a chat to a quick escape to Bunnings to buy a plant, or just having someone there for you all created those memorable experiences for me.

Can you offer any advice to current PhD students who have just started their journey?

Doing a PhD is a journey about self-discovery and contributing to the scientific research that is out there. I would say when you feel stuck take a step back and have a look at why you are doing this research. When you look at the bigger picture, you will realise that any research outcome you get contributes to the research that is out there leading to doors being opened and closed and that is okay. You will always be taking a step forward, where on a global scale we are all trying to fit the puzzle pieces together to achieve the common goal and take pride in that. Make sure you don’t forget who you are along the process and always ground yourself. Also, do the things that you love and make you happy, whether it being daily walks or dancing or any hobby you have – don’t lose that.

I would also say, don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance. A PhD is all about being nurtured and having a mentor to guide you throughout the process. You will gain new skills, build on them and this brings it all back to it being a self-journey. Take it step by step and you will cross the finish line, you will submit your thesis and you will be proud of what you have accomplished.

Thanks for your time and honesty, Anna - and congratulations once again!

If you are interested in doing a PhD at IPRI, be sure to get in touch with us to chat more about the possibilities at the Institute.

As a past winner of the Bill Wheeler Award, Anna will also be presenting at the 2025 Symposium, set for March 25 at the UOW Science Space. The event will feature a guest talk from A/Prof Laurencia Villalba. Register here to attend.