Mike Garlepp - Director of Research and Academic Services

 

Mike is one of the newest faces around the Institute but at nearly six foot four inches, he is hard to miss!  Mike joined the Institute in August of 2008 as Director of Academic and Research Services, armed with extensive experience and knowledge gained from a long and illustrious career in research and academia.
Mike originally trained as a pharmacist at what was then the WA Institute for Technology (WAIT, now known as Curtin).  After a two-year stint in the Australian Army in charge of pharmacy at 4 Camp Hospital in Townsville, he worked in retail as a pharmacist for a year before commencing a Bachelor of Science at UWA.
“Whilst I enjoyed my time as a pharmacist, I found the research aspects of medical science particularly interesting, and so I decided to enrol in a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in microbiology and pathology,” explains Mike.
Mike graduated with First Class Honours and for the next ten years, he worked part-time as a retail pharmacist whilst lecturing part-time to pharmacy students at WAIT and science and medical students at UWA.  In between all of that, he somehow managed to complete his PhD thesis in Immunology at UWA!
“Yes, those were busy times, there’s no doubt about that,” admits Mike.  “But I was really enjoying the combination of the research and the teaching, and when you’re enjoying yourself, it doesn’t seem like hard work!”
Mike’s PhD thesis concentrated on the autoimmune disease Myasthenia Gravis, a neuromuscular disease that affects the muscles where antibodies block the receptor for the neurotransmitters leaving the muscle weak and fatigued.  This project ignited Mike’s interest in autoimmunity which, along with research into the malignant cancer mesothelioma, became his major research focus for the next three decades.  It was work that took him overseas for postings at the London Hospital Medical College and the University of Calgary in Canada.
Mike says being involved in the definition of genetic factors involved in autoimmune muscle disease and in the early stages of gene modification of tumour cells are some of his research career highlights.
“Throughout all of my research, I was driven by a desire to determine what causes disease and at the same time working out better methods of treatment so that one day, real people might benefit from my work,” says Mike.
During his research career, Mike maintained his lecturing duties before holding senior academic positions at Curtin, including the Acting Executive Dean of Health Sciences, the Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor of R&D and Head of the School of Pharmacy.  As part of his university associations, Mike has supervised over 20 Higher Degree by Research students and 12 Honours students.  So when the position of Director of Academic and Research Services at the Institute was advertised, it seemed like the perfect fit.
“After many years of research and work in academia it seemed appropriate that I use my experience to enhance the research and the careers of medical researchers,” explains Mike.
“In that regard, I felt that the mission and aims of the Institute were worthy of supporting for the remainder of my career.”  
In his role at the Institute, Mike is responsible for overseeing the research and academic services programs.  Having been both a student and also a supervisor to many more (he is currently co-supervising two Institute PhD candidates), Mike has a particular interest in the Institute student group and ensuring that students have the best experience possible.
“I think we have a great support network for the nearly 90 or so students completing their projects at the Institute, and I am really keen to establish a strong mentoring program to boost this support,” says Mike.
“I have found in my experience that good mentoring is particularly important for young researchers in order to maintain a focus on the difficult questions in the face of the occasional setback.”
Mike has thrown himself into Institute life which has already included a performance as Agnetha from ABBA (complete with long blonde wig and spandex!) in a skit at the 2008 staff Christmas celebration.
“I was told that based on tradition, part of my role would likely involve dressing up in women’s clothing and making a fool of myself in front of my colleagues - I didn’t have to wait long to find out they weren’t kidding!” laughs Mike.
When Mike is not taking part in Institute activities, he can be found playing nine holes of golf or a game of basketball and with two sons over 6 feet in height as well, it is no surprise that Mike is President of his beloved basketball club, the Perry Lakes Hawks.  At other times, he can be found enjoying good food and a nice glass of wine in the company of his family and friends.