Alumni Stories
GRADS 2024: Gela Bragg
“Our diet is a pillar for good health – whether it be physical, emotional, or social – and I’m passionate about how we can use food to influence those different aspects of our health and wellbeing,” says Master of Nutrition and Dietetics graduate Angela ‘Gela’ Bragg.
Gela grew up in Far North Queensland. During her high school years in Cairns, she really enjoyed STEM based subjects.
“Problem solving appealed to me and I was also very fascinated with the way STEM offered logical ways to understand the world from the tiniest particles to vast astronomical phenomena,” Gela says.
“I was an ambassador for women and girls in STEM for my school, and I was good at maths, so when it came to deciding what to do after school, I was leaning towards something science-based.”
The first in her family to pursue a tertiary education, Gela moved to Canberra to study a Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences at the Australian National University (ANU) and then shifted to environmental science units. After 18 months, Gela decided that she wasn’t on the right path and got to work exploring other areas of interest.
“I had spoken to people who were studying health degrees at the University of Canberra, and the combination of scientific theory and practical learning really appealed to me,” Gela says.
She decided to stay in Canberra and enrol in a Bachelor of Human Nutrition at UC, where she relished the opportunity to combine her love of food and science.
“I’m a major foodie, but also I think when it comes to nutrition, the research opportunities are basically endless,” Gela says.
Immersing herself in research articles and building her foundational knowledge, Gela craved more after completing her undergraduate degree.
“I really wanted to expand my scope of practice,” she says.
“Dr Michelle Minehan was an excellent lecturer who not only shared her comprehensive knowledge but was also really supportive. It was a discussion I had with her that affirmed my decision to pursue my master’s.”
Gela was required to undertake a research project and complete a series of placements – clinical, community-based and in food service. She admits she was apprehensive about working in a hospital setting, but the experience ended up being transformative.
“That was the placement I was most nervous about, but it was also the placement that I ended up enjoying the most as well, as I found it was really challenging, in a way that was fulfilling,” Gela says.
“It enabled me to put into practice all the theory that I learned during my master's.”
While Gela completed all her placements in Canberra, she had the opportunity to return to North Queensland to do an additional four-week internship as an accredited dietitian in Atherton, a small town southwest of Cairns.
“I was working in a small, rural hospital which had 65 beds, and I loved it,” Gela says.
“I was immersed in the world of rural healthcare, where at times, I was the sole dietitian in the hospital, so it was challenging but really rewarding.”
Going into her postgraduate studies, Gela thought she would pursue a research career. Spending time in hospitals, working with staff and patients, changed her perspective. She has accepted a role as a dietitian with Canberra Health Services and is looking forward to building on her clinical skills.
“It was really fulfilling to help hospital patients when they were in such a vulnerable state of their lives,” Gela says.
“My goal is to work as a clinician for a couple of years and then look at shifting to a hybrid career where I continue to practise as a dietitian while doing a PhD, as I think clinical practice would help to inform my research – but I’m open to whatever opportunities come my way!”
Words by Emma Larouche, photos by Liam Budge.
This September, we celebrate the graduating class of 2024.
Many have overcome challenges with grace and resilience, and all have grown in remarkable ways. We congratulate them on achieving this milestone.
We celebrate those who are already making an impact in their chosen fields, those who have changed careers, and others who have embarked on their postgraduate study path – we look forward to seeing what you achieve as alumni of the University of Canberra.