With her expertise, biotechnologist Sushma Rao could have worked at any research institute in the world - yet she chose Ballarat over big cities, even if it meant taking a pay cut.
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Dr Rao has worked worldwide, including Melbourne, Adelaide, and Singapore.
She left life in metropolitan cities and chose Ballarat for her future career two and a half years ago, drawn by the regional city's world-class healthcare and research facilities.
She is now the head of oncoproteomics at the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute (FECRI).
FECRI director George Kannourakis said he felt lucky to be able to attract Dr Rao to Ballarat.
What attracted Dr Rao to Ballarat?
Before coming to Ballarat, Dr Rao worked at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide.
"Moving to Ballarat was both for personal and professional reasons," Dr Rao said.
"My husband, a cardiologist, got an opportunity at the Ballarat Base Hospital, which was a good career move for him."
When exploring opportunities, Dr Rao was drawn to the city's vibrant multicultural community, FECRI's world-class research facilities, and appealing work-life balance, supporting professional growth and personal wellbeing.
"Ballarat is a very nice and multicultural city. It is very historical and has a powerful sense of community," she said.
"I think it also has a very nice Indian community here. It has a very homely and a very community-driven vibe, which is very different from any other city we have lived in."
Dr Rao's outstanding abilities earned her the recognition of professor Kannourakis.
"This girl, people will be bidding high-five bids to get her. We were lucky to attract her here," professor Kannourakis said.
How FECRI draws international scientists
FECRI now has 16 scientists, and about 90 per cent of them are initially from outside Ballarat.
Unlike some institutes, FECRI scientists are freed from the pressure of securing grants, allowing them to focus entirely on their research.
"What I've done here is set up an alternative model to cancer research that isn't portrayed in other institutes," professor Kannourakis said.
"I have their backs in terms of them being able to concentrate on their research.
"I have a long-term view. You get the right people, you support the right people. You don't let them go, unless they want to go."
Professor Kannourakis said the laboratory grew from a disused paint shed next to the St John of God Hospital into a well-equipped facility at Federation University campus, thanks to community effort and philanthropy.
"We were able to [research] with no government support and no university support," he said.
"It's hope for the cancer research or hope for a better way of life or hope that we'll be able to do better things in the future, it's all about hope."
