Parkville representative

Mark Agostino

Portfolio

The Parkville Campus Representative represents and is elected by all postgraduates enrolled at Parkville. The Parkville rep is subject to the direction of the MPAEC and is the official representative of the MPA in dealing with the Parkville Campus and shall report to the MPAEC on any such dealings.

The Parkville campus represenative is responsible for:

• chairing all MPAEC Parkville-based meetings or committees

• liaising with other office bearers regarding Parkville-based issues

• initiating Parkville-based activities and events

• developing and maintaining communication with the Parkville-based postgraduates

Background

I completed my Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry jointly at Monash Parkville and Monash Clayton. I completed my Honours degree at Monash Parkville, my thesis in the synthesis of novel channel-forming antibiotic agents. I am currently in the second year of PhD at Monash Parkville.

Throughout my time at Monash, I have been involved in various student associations, including the Monash Parkville Students Association (MPSA), the Medicinal Chemistry Society, and the Victorian College of Pharmacy Postgraduate Assocation (VCPPA). I am currently on the Parkville Postgraduate Association (PPA), where I act as secretary and am involved in organising social events.

Research

Pig organs undergo rapid rejection when transplanted into humans or non-human primates. This rejection is mediated by preformed antibodies in the human bloodstream which recognise specific carbohydrates on the surface of pig organs as being foreign. My project is concerned with developing a structural understanding of the antibody-carbohydrate interaction governing this rejection using molecular modelling and X-ray crystallography.

Personal interests

I am an avid music collector, specialising in microhouse, minimal techno and digital disco. My favourite record labels include Dial, Chain Reaction, Kompakt and Environ. I love computers and technology, and am a proud Linux user. When I’m not at uni (even when I am at uni!), I’m usually hanging out with friends or listening to music on my computer.

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