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Dr Davies and his supervisor, A/Prof. Alastair Stewart, are pictured at Glacier 3000 during their recent trip to Switzerland to present his research.

Tell us a bit about yourself!Ìý

I’m a structural biologist from Christchurch, New Zealand, where I completed a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Canterbury. I then moved to Stockholm, Sweden, for a Postdoc, where I had the chance to develop my skills in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)—my favourite technique for examining molecular machines.

What’s your research all about, and what’s the most exciting part for you? Ìý

I study membrane transporters—proteins that move nutrients and drugs across cell membranes. These tiny machines are often disrupted in metabolic disease. I use cryo-EM to capture them in action and figure out how they work. The most exciting moment is when we ‘crack’ or solve a 3D structure—suddenly, we can see details at an atomic level, which gives insight into how these proteins function.

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Tell us about a recent achievement?

Last month, I presented my latest research on the human carnitine transporter at a Gordon Research Conference in Switzerland— a unique opportunity to share unpublished work, and receive feedback from world-leading experts on transporter proteins.

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As an ECR, what’s been one of your biggest challenges, and how did you tackle it?Ìý

Relocating from Sweden to Australia after my first postdoc was a big shift—navigating new systems, building a new network, and maintaining collaborations across time zones. I’ve tackled it with the support of great mentors here in Sydney who helped me acclimate quickly, though it remains an ongoing challenge!

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What activities keep you inspired and energised?Ìý

I try to read widely outside of science—though lately, most of my reading has been to my two-year-old: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, on repeat. I also enjoy cooking and fermenting things— the kitchen is our lab away from the lab.