Since receiving an A-grade for the Extended Essay component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program on the aetiology of violent crime, Sharlynn became interested in the intersection between psychology and genetics. In 2016, they were awarded a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) double majoring in Psychology and Molecular Biology and Genetics from The University of Sydney in 2016. The following year, they investigated the role of Hedgehog-related genes in neuronal development in Caenorhabditis elegans under the supervision of Dr Hannah Nicholas at The University of Sydney and was awarded a first class Honours. For the next two months, Sharlynn worked as a Research Assistant until the Nicholas lab was dissolved for personal reasons. In July 2018, Sharlynn began a Master of Research with Prof Ian Blair at the Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research and under the supervision of Dr Shu Yang. During the program, Sharlynn performed in vitro assays to determine the potential pathogenicity of ALS candidate variants. Under the guidance of associate supervisor Dr Albert Lee, Sharlynn also dabbled in proteomics to investigate whether any neurodegeneration-related pathways are affected by these candidate variants. 

Sharlynn completed their PhD under the supervision of Dr Shu Yang and Prof Ian Blair, where they developed a molecular platform to elucidate the pathogenicity of oligogenic ALS candidate variants. They were a recipient of the competitive International Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship. 

Currently, Sharlynn works under the supervision of Dr Alison Hogan and A/Prof Marco Morsch on TDP-43 and SFPQ nuclear supplementation.