When Southern Cross University introduces the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science at the Gold Coast campus in 2025, award-winning teaching scholar Dr Lily Guo will be one of the first to meet the inaugural cohort.
With her track-record of transforming first-year Anatomy and Physiology into a high-success and high-satisfaction launching pad for health students, and as the Faculty winner of the Vice Chancellor's Inspiring Educator Award, Dr Guo is excited to welcome students into the degree.
She said the degree offers exciting opportunities for students interested in careers in pathology or forensic laboratories, where employment prospects remain strong for skilled professionals.
"To the south, the next closest university offering a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science is in Wagga Wagga, so there is a need for skilled professionals in this area in especially in the Northern NSW and Gold Coast areas," said Dr Guo, who was also voted winner of the Faculty Student experience award, Faculty Team award, and previously the Faculty's make-you-smile people's choice award for her warm and personable style with colleagues and students.
"Medical Laboratory Science is a different degree to Biomedical Science, as it is a professional specialisation, working in diagnostic settings, primarily laboratories, with human or animal samples. Our degree has a strong focus on developing practical skills, with more than 560 hours of professional placement, and will be taught in our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities at the Southern Cross Gold Coast campus.
"To be part of these students' journeys from the very beginning, where we get to see them build their confidence and flourish in professional health settings and in their interpersonal skills, is such a highlight for me. We play such a crucial role in curriculum design and transformation, in making it enjoyable and rewarding for students, which directly impacts student learning, motivation, engagement and success from their first term onwards."
Dr Guo and the wider team, including Course Coordinator Dr Karlah Norkunas, have received commendations and citations from the Vice Chancellor and the Centre for Teaching and Learning for their transformative curriculum design and implementation.
Dr Norkunas, who has worked at multiple universities, said the Southern Cross difference was lecturers who truly care about students and their success.
"Our curriculum is designed to address real-life healthcare challenges and includes assessments that are directly relevant to healthcare settings," she said.
"Medical laboratory scientists are at the forefront of healthcare, investigating everything from infectious diseases to genetic disorders. Our work often includes cutting-edge technology, including AI, where we analyse complex data to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. This dynamic field requires both scientific expertise and a passion for problem-solving."
