I've been motivated to pursue chemistry ever since Year 10 at school; unlocking the secrets of the physical world and using them for creative applications was just as alluring to me then as it is now.
The University of Melbourne has an excellent reputation for being well-known and well-connected in a variety of circles across industry and academia, and it was this opportunity for networking which ranked highly amongst my reasons for studying at the University.
Doing research requires that you love what you do, as the motivation must come from yourself, and not your supervisor. It's an exciting way to indulge your curiosity, particularly if you love problem-solving and understanding what truly makes things work, and it's up to you as a communicator to explain to people why your work is valuable and what can be gained from it.
I was awarded the Young Scientist Research Prize in Physical Science for 2015 by the Royal Society of Victoria on the basis of excellence in scientific research, ability to effectively communicate my work to scientists and the public, and ability to answer questions about my research.This award afforded me the opportunity to expand my professional network and the chance to be mentored by a senior member of the Society.
I have also been able to facilitate networking amongst academic and industrial contacts through my studies at the University. This is of particular importance to me, as I plan to cultivate as many scientific career options as possible before my PhD finishes.