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Get to know...Tanja Olivier
I started at the ANU...
in November 2021 working as a Laboratory Technician in the Medical School in Acton. I decided to have a change in career after working in the fertility industry for a few years. I love working with the students and learning new skills.
I am currently responsible for...
setting up the equipment and resources in the Medical Science and Anatomy laboratories. I am also involved with selecting the cadaver specimens that are put on display during the Year 1 and 2 practicals.
I am joining the Clinical Skills team in April and I will be based in Building 4 of The Canberra Hospital. I am looking forward to the new opportunities.
The top three things on my to do list today...
- Drink my morning coffee (very important!).
- Make sure that both laboratories are ready for when the students arrive.
- Start preparing resources for the next day’s practical.
The best advice I've received...
My dad used to tell me to Learn something new every day. Have the mindset of a student. Never think you are too old to ask questions or know too much to learn something new. My children teach me something new each day!
If I could live anywhere in the world for a year...
I would live in Vancouver, British Columbia. About 18 years ago, I won a holiday to Vancouver. It is one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been. My husband and I went orca spotting and I also saw a beluga whale for the first time.
If I had to choose a famous person to have dinner with (living or dead)...
I would love to have dinner with David Attenborough. I think he has the most interesting job and I would love to hear about his amazing experiences in person.
The most adventurous thing I've done...
Whilst I was doing my Master's degree in South Africa, we went along with a veterinarian to dart and tag 1-year-old rhinos. There was a helicopter flying around to give us an indication of where the mum was. On one occasion, the helicopter was right above our heads and we could see the mum heading towards us and there was only a tiny little tree to hide behind. Luckily mum got spooked and she ran away. We laugh about it now but it could have gone wrong quickly!
