Scraping through Year 12 with barely a pass, Kristin Carson was unable to study science at university. Undeterred, Kristin studied at TAFE while working multiple jobs as a research assistant. Hard work eventually delivered admission into University for a PhD in medicine and Kristin is now one of the youngest senior medical research scientists at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and is responsible for the research activities of more than 25 staff and over 40 projects. In the past five years, Kristin has produced 50 peer-reviewed publications and over 250 media citations, contributing to patient care, policy and practice both locally and internationally. With a specific interest in respiratory illnesses, Kristin’s research into patient self-management of asthma has been acknowledged and applied internationally. Kristin combines the theoretical with the practical, building a collaborative relationship with the Port Adelaide Football Club to roll out a program that encourages children to embrace healthy lifestyles. Passionate about the role of science in society, Kristin actively mentors and encourages the next generation of scientists.