'If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it!' (Sir Richard Branson). This has been Dr Kirsten Palmer’s unofficial motto in life. Kirsten has been the beneficiary of many amazing opportunities over the years, which have also led to her ongoing lifelong learning and training. These opportunities have taken her to the laboratories of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, where she learned a diverse array of scientific skills, techniques and methodology. They have taken her through medical training and beyond into specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, equipping her with a broad medical knowledge focused on women’s health. More opportunities came knocking, offering a PhD in pre-eclampsia research and a chance to coalesce both scientific and medical knowledge to provide a number of advances in the understanding of this common and potentially devastating disease. Most recently, she has had the opportunity to join the team at Monash University and Monash Health to progress her research as a research fellow in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, but also to grow her clinical repertoire through sub-specialist training in maternal-fetal medicine.

Dr Palmer now leads a number of clinical trials and research projects primarily focused on improving outcomes for women and their babies in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction through to post-partum haemorrhage prevention. She is involved in the supervision and training of students across a range of both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. She continues to say yes and has been blessed with the opportunity to work with many leading scientists and clinicians to progress research in women’s health. Her greatest achievement though has been her two amazing children.