Maxinne Watchon did a Bachelor of Medical Science (2010-2012) before pursuing her post-graduate studies [Graduate Diploma in Science (2013) and a Doctor of Philosophy (2014-2018)] from the University of Sydney. Her research project was centred on investigating the mechanisms of disease in the neurodegenerative disease Machado-Joseph disease (MJD; otherwise known as spinocerebellar ataxia type-3) within a transgenic MJD zebrafish model. From understanding these disease mechanisms, she also explored testing potential therapeutic compounds in the MJD zebrafish model, as this disease currently has no treatment or cure. Since then, Maxinne has been working as a Post-doctoral researcher at Macquarie University at the Centre of Motor Neuron Disease Research. At Macquarie University, she continues her research in MJD under the supervision of Dr. Angela Laird. Her research interests include neuroscience in the context of neurodegeneration, protein cleavage and protein quality control pathway autophagy.