A deep connection to people, place and purpose.

Scott Ragg

Some careers grow from a childhood dream. Mine grew almost by accident—shaped by the pull of the ocean, a belief in doing what’s right, and the unlikely twists that led me from Tasmania to Canada and back home again.

My career started here in Tasmania, doing my undergraduate and doctorate degrees, studying under Prof. Greg Woods at the University of Tasmania. After that came several years in Canada working on leukaemia research—challenging, fascinating work that pushed me scientifically and personally. But coming back home? That only happened because the David Collins Leukaemia Foundation of Tasmania stepped in. They believed it was worth bringing the expertise I’d built home, and their funding made it a reality. 

With their support, I’ve spent the past two decades building fledgling labs into nationally recognised services – teams whose work now sets the benchmark across Australia. We’re not just contributors – we’re national leaders in our scientific organisations. 

And DCLFtas hasn’t stepped away; they continue to back us with professional development support and by helping bring major events, like the Australasian Cytometry Society National Conference, to Hobart in 2024. 

However, despite all my years working in a lab, it still feels a little unnatural to me. I grew up around primary industries—outdoors, varied work, real physical purpose—and part of me still feels at home there. Whilst science has become the place where I can put that same purpose to use, my journey isn’t just about work; it’s about integrity, purpose, mateship, and the ocean, which has always and continues to anchor me. 

Outside of the office, my partner, Kellie, and I continue to add to our pack of rescue dogs. Rusty joined us over 3 years ago after we spotted him on a Failed Working Dogs Rehoming Facebook page. Originally from WA, he joins our other two rescues, an elderly retired Kelpie and a Kelpie/Heeler Cross who wouldn’t work. It turns out Rusty was quite good at working, but not in the way his previous owner wanted. We needed to direct his drive into something purposeful, and so Rusty and I have been doing sheep herding trials and competitions for the past 3 years, and we both LOVE it. His trophies and ribbons may have taken pride of place over some of our sons’ sailing trophies.

After work and family, the one thing I could never give up is my mates. We’ve been inseparable since Uni in the late 80s—about ten of us who still play sport together, catch up at the pub every week for banter and a feed, and look after each other. We’ve celebrated big milestones, mourned losses, had frank conversations when needed, and supported each other through everything adult life throws at you.

If someone really knew me, I hope they’d say my word is my bond—that I get the job done and fiercely support my people. And no matter where I am, I feel instantly at home when I’m in my comfy t-shirt, shorts and thongs, usually with one of my navy rugby tops thrown in. Summer or winter, they’re the first things packed.

And then there’s the ocean, being on or near the water has always been part of who I am – boating, fishing, sailing, diving. Those moments wake up parts of me that get dulled under harsh artificial lights in the lab. At sea, life becomes wonderfully simple. In rough weather, your only job is to get up the face of the next wave and down the back of it – then repeat and repeat. In fine weather, it’s just magical. And underwater? That’s a true escape from the world.

I’m drawn to solitude outdoors, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. Not loneliness – just time to be inside my own head. It might be a beach walk at dawn with the dog, a long drive, or being on night watch on a boat at sea. 

People often ask what I inherited from my family. For me, it’s the need to do what is right – to contribute to the community, to have personal integrity, even when it’s not in your best interest. If there’s something I’ll always protect, without needing a reason, it’s standing up against injustice, vindictiveness or the misuse of power. Challenging those who think authority gives them free rein doesn’t always end well for me – but at least I sleep at night.

To finish off, I’d say if there’s a thread that runs through my life, it’s this: work hard, finish the job properly, don’t let others down. Ultimately, coming home to Tasmania wasn’t just a personal decision – it was a turning point that eventually shaped the future of my field in Tasmania and Australia.