Learner Profile
James Walker
Employer
AbCellera
HMX Course
James Walker is a research assistant for AbCellera, a biotechnology firm, at their location in Sydney, Australia. As part of their protein science team, he helps develop specialized antibodies for treating diseases. To better understand the concepts and vocabulary involved with his work, James enrolled in the HMX Fundamentals Immunology course. James shares his experience with the course and how it enabled him to enhance his understanding and contribution to discussions.
What’s your educational background and why did you decide to take the Immunology course?
I graduated from the University of Sydney in June 2022 with a Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Advanced Studies majoring in Genetics & Genomics (Honours Class I) and Physiology… I was familiar with the concepts and basic vocabulary of immunology but with limited detail. Considering immunology is at the core of AbCellera’s work, I soon realized after joining the company in July 2022 that I would greatly benefit from immunology-specific training.
Have you had a chance to apply what you’ve learned in your work?
I apply the learnings every day! Prior to HMX Immunology, I would regularly encounter unfamiliar terms during meetings or whilst reading literature and would often find myself spending more time getting up to speed than contributing to discussions. Now, when I hear these terms, I know their meaning and immunological context and I can speak on these topics with greater confidence.
Can you describe your experience with the course?
I started the course in September 2023 and was immediately impressed by its quality. It was clear that clarity and distillation of complex topics into an easy-to-follow narrative were front of mind during the course’s creation. This was complemented by the modules being divided into engaging 8–10-minute lessons with 3-4 review questions.
What did you find most useful or interesting about the course?
The most interesting element of the course was the lesson’s application in a clinical setting. Presenting immunological indications with the perspectives of the patient and attending physician served as a powerful summary by grounding each week’s content and helped me conceptualize how my work on therapeutic medicines at AbCellera could directly impact individuals.
What would you tell colleagues or others about HMX courses?
I would highly recommend HMX courses to anyone working in the life sciences who wants to expand their understanding of other scientific fields or does not have a background in science. HMX Fundamentals courses are designed with this in mind, with the lessons scaling smoothly from basics to more challenging concepts over their duration. They provide an accessible and self-paced format to cultivate your scientific knowledge whilst learning from experts in the field.