Unveiling the Secret: How an Immunologist Traded the Lab for a Thriving Career

Meet Dr. Cat: The Singing Scientist Juggling Multiple Passions

When we think of scientists, we often picture them in a laboratory—donning white coats and goggles, immersed in their work. However, Dr. Catriona Nguyen-Robertson, known as Dr. Cat, is breaking that mold. After completing her training in immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, she took a fascinating turn towards science education, blending her love for science with her passion for music. Now, she delights audiences with songs that span topics from the immune system to the vast universe, all under her moniker, "The Singing Scientist."

For this month’s Pay Day focus, Dr. Cat candidly shares her experiences on juggling various jobs, her delightful guilty pleasures in science-themed splurges, and how her passion for bubble science is aiding her dream of raising funds to embark on a voyage to Antarctica.

"I have never held a full-time job," Dr. Cat explains. "However, with several part-time and casual positions under my belt, I often find that I work more than a traditional full-time schedule." This multitasking has allowed her to live comfortably while keeping her financial worries at bay. She confesses about her attempts to maintain thriftiness—a principle instilled in her by her upbringing—yet, she joyfully spends money on friends and special outings from time to time. “I’m learning to step back, though. It’s important for me to ensure that I take proper breaks,” she notes and adds, “I genuinely adore the work I do in science education.”

Dr. Cat's financial attitudes are influenced by her upbringing, which had two distinctly different perspectives from her parents. “My mother came from wealth, but after the Vietnam War, she arrived in Australia with nothing. She taught me the importance of saving money and avoiding unnecessary expenses,” she recalls. However, she chuckles at how her mother’s definition of "unnecessary" could be quite stringent. In contrast, her father was more relaxed about spending, having grown up with modest means himself. “I learned to treasure any