Ophelia Phraphone
SAAFE scholar
"I feel like a detective, setting out with a hypothesis and experimenting to find answers, learning from my own research and from those who have paved the way before."
Ophelia Phraphone is a passionate researcher with a knack for tackling some of the toughest challenges in AMR. Her academic journey has taken her across the globe, beginning with an undergraduate degree and Honours research at the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, where she delved into the antimicrobial potential of metal oxide nanoparticles. Later, her studies took her to London, where she earned her Masters at the University of Westminster, crafting a dissertation on antibiofilm agents derived from Bacillus altitudinis.
Now pursuing her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney in collaboration with SAAFE and Sydney Water, Ophelia is focusing on genomic surveillance of Escherichia coli in Sydney’s wastewater treatment systems. Her project aims to identify and monitor antimicrobial resistance genes in water, bridging the gap between research and real-world solutions. For Ophelia, collaborating with SAAFE means joining a dynamic network of experts and industries united by a shared passion for combating AMR.
A typical day for Ophelia involves lots of reading, experimenting, and the endless pursuit of knowledge. She likens her work to that of a detective, driven by curiosity and a desire to uncover answers that can make a difference. Outside the lab, Ophelia enjoys watching soccer and motorsports, running, and catching up with friends over dinner parties. Inspired by the trailblazing work of Rosalind Franklin, she hopes to motivate young women to follow their dreams in STEM. For Ophelia, success is all about collaboration: "Teamwork makes the dream work," she says—a fitting motto for someone dedicated to solving problems that affect us all.
