Credit: Deborah Sippitts/RMIT

"Growing up, I was always interested in science, particularly biology. I was fascinated by the mysteries of nature and loved to find out how things work," says Sapna Thoduka, from RMIT University in Melbourne, who developed a new method for detecting the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease.

Meningococcal is infamous for its extremely quick progression and can lead to death or other severe complications within just 24 hours in otherwise healthy people.

"It is important to diagnose the disease early," Thoduka explains. "Using my methods will give a result within 15 minutes to an hour, compared to several hours or a few days with conventional methods."

Born in Bangalore, India, Thoduka moved to Australia at the age of 18 to study biology and biotechnology. Now in a research position, she was able to detect the bacteria behind meningococcal, called Neisseria meningitidis, using gold nanoparticles that change colour in the presence of DNA sequences specific to the bacteria. The colour change is visible to the naked eye, making it quick and easy to diagnose.

"Hopefully this will lead to more rapid detection and to earlier treatment, resulting in fewer deaths and less severe complications," she says.

Outside of the lab, Sapna makes sure to always find time to nurture her creative side - which at the moment means watercolour painting. So while in the future she looks forward to seeing her own work put to use, she has also made a vow to find the time to finally finish one of her paintings, "rather than leave it half completed!"