Graduate Profile: Danielle Ariti Master of Genomics and Health

Danielle Ariti  is a Recruitment Officer with the OurDNA program at the Centre of Population Genomics (CPG)  - a joint initiative between the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Her role involves working closely with multicultural communities to support the recruitment of participants from underrepresented ancestry groups in Australia. The project aims to build a more inclusive genetic database, improving genetic diagnosis, prediction and prevention, and treatment accuracy for all Australians.

Danielle studied a Master of Genomics and Health at the University of Melbourne , including an internship at Melbourne Genomics . After graduating, she worked as a research assistant at Melbourne Genomics on implementation projects which work to embed genomic medicine into healthcare. While enjoying the role, Danielle realised her passion lay in education and direct participant interaction, leading her to her current position at CPG.

Danielle's favourite part of her job is the opportunity to engage with everyday people, answer their questions, and have casual conversations; it's not just about recruiting participants, but also about educating the community. She finds it rewarding when people are curious, asking questions that show they've understood and appreciated the information she's shared. Beyond that, she values being able to help underrepresented communities - providing them with access to genomic research and resources is a driving force behind her work.

"I really enjoy the educational aspect and getting to interact directly with participants. Genomics allows for such a dynamic role - you're constantly learning about new genes and conditions. It's an ever-evolving field, so the work I'm doing now could be completely different in 10 years' time, which is really exciting."

Reflecting on her own journey, Danielle remembers the daunting feeling of choosing a career path after completing her undergraduate degree:

"You think to yourself, 'If this isn't what I want to do, then I've wasted time and money.' That's why I suggest, if you're unsure, try attending some seminars or talking to people first. It'll give you a better feel for it. But it's also okay not to know right away. Just give it a go because even if it's not the career you want, you'll still gain something valuable. You won't walk away empty-handed.”

"The great part about genomics is, even if you have a particular job, like genetic counselling, there's still the option to work clinically or in research. So, although you have a defined profession, there are different areas you can explore, move between, or take detours into."