Professor Alex Hewitt Of Bonnet Hill

by Stephanie Williams

Professor Alex Hewitt is an ophthalmologist and has had a variety of his medical research studies funded by the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation over the years. He’s currently part of a research team that have gained New Project Grant funding for 2020.

What do you love about where you live?

Close to the beach, the bush, whilst only being a 30 minute bicycle ride to the centre of town.

What’s the best thing about Hobart?

It’s a large enough city to have great amenities, yet small enough to have a vibrant and close community.

And the worst?

There’s no AFL team.

Tell us a little about your work?

I work with a talented team of people researching better ways to diagnose and treat blinding diseases. Harnessing gene editing technology, we aim to directly correct aberrant genes causing inherited retinal diseases. We are at the dawn of the gene-therapy revolution, and eye diseases are at the forefront of this!

What’s your dream project to work on?

See my answer above!!

I’m inspired by..

The patients I see in the clinic.

What do you love doing outside work?

I love spending time with my family and friends, and walking the dog.

Where’s your favourite eatery?

Local Pizza in Berridale.

Drink of choice and where do you head for it?

I always have a soy flat white, simply ordered from the closest cafe!

Guilty pleasure?

Movie and pizza night is one of my favourite things to do.

Favourite team?

The Taroona Abalones.

What do you never leave home without?

My phone, wallet, and ID badge.

I’d like to travel to…

Bhutan.

If I didn’t live in Hobart I’d live…

On Bruny Island.

When there’s nothing to do, I …

Sleep.

Favourite Hobart secret?

Bioluminescence in Lindisfarne, Bellerive or Kingston is spectacular.

I’m reading…

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton

Where to next?

“Infinity and beyond,” Buzz Lightyear…or maybe that’s a better quote to live by! ■

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Extras

Hobart Happenings

by Stephanie Williams

OFF SEASON: Bits And Pieces

Not many people have a garden named after them but one of the founders of modern organic gardening in Tasmania, David, can enjoy the spoils of the David Stephen Neighbourhood Garden (formerly Kickstart CG) in New Town.

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