Why did you choose to study at the University of Melbourne?
I applied to the University of Melbourne because of it status as a world-renowned institute and its location in arguably the most livable and dynamic cities, Melbourne. The Master of Biotechnology program was designed perfectly for my chosen career paths in the biotech sphere. In addition to this the course includes an industry project in collaboration with scientific organisation within Melbourne. The University’s integration with the biomedical precinct provides students with unrivalled access to academics and employers. Additionally, the university's extracurricular programs such as the Job Ready program and the active encouragement of study abroad options made Melbourne particularly attractive.
What inspires you about Biotechnology?
The quality I find most inspiring about Biotechnology is the scope for ambition. Biotech aims not just to treat healthcare problems but provide long term solutions at the societal level; for example, the desire to control the infectious disease through vaccines or solving cancers using genetic engineering it all falls in the realm of biotech.
What have you enjoyed most about studying?
One of my greatest extra-curricular achievements was being a founding member of the University of Melbourne, Biotechnology Club. After finding out that previous cohorts had failed to create a biotech club we took the initiative to relaunch a new biotech club with the support of the school's staff. Since its creation, we have been able to achieve greater networking amongst peers.
Are there any stand-out experiences that have shaped your time at Melbourne?
The Newman Rectors exhibition scholarship and Father Gerald Daily SJ travelling scholarship have funded my accommodation and my Summer research exchange at the Tokyo Institute in Japan. Both these experiences have influenced my personal development and education. They have allowed me to pursue these opportunities which would otherwise have been difficult.
What advice would you give to students considering graduate study?
One piece of advice I have to students is that not knowing exactly where you want a degree to take you isn't a problem, as long as you are actively seeking to find out. The future of science is multidisciplinary and the biotech course offers subjects across the scientific business and regulatory domain, so frantically pushing yourself to determine what your specialisation needs to be is unnecessary. It's far more fruitful to determine what problems, goals and objectives you want to apply science to and use that to drive what subjects you select. Collaborate with those around you, leverage on the knowledge others possess and share your own, this will help you to design your future.
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