News & Stories

From the salon to the lab

The importance of education and loving your work.

To say Leesa Borojevic is a woman of many talents would be a vast understatement.

From hairdresser, to teacher, to Operations Team Leader in the University’s Central Science Laboratory (CSL), Leesa is dedicated to being the best she can be, whatever she turns her hand to.

The CSL is now benefiting from her commitment, enthusiasm and exceptional organisational skills.

“The work that we mostly do at the CSL is supporting research and most of that comes from the Colleges of Science and Engineering and Health and Medicine.

“We also do a lot of work for external clients because we have an excellent facility and such expert knowledge,” Leesa said.

“It’s important for the University to maintain very good research infrastructure. Centralising really helps because we end up with world-class equipment and instrumentation that is supported by experts and is well-maintained.” 

The fine science of plate spinning

Leesa was the teaching laboratory manager in Biological Sciences for 18 years, and recently joined the CSL seeking new opportunities.

As the Operations Team Leader, Leesa organises the logistics of instrumentation making its way to the CSL. The instruments generally come from overseas, and require engineers to install them. She also looks after the unit’s general operations, including maintenance, finances and work health and safety. 

Part of my role is also encouraging more people to come and use our expertise. There are lots of spinning plates that I keep moving and I am enjoying it a lot.

“I had 18 great years involved with teaching practice and now I am moving towards research. So in terms of science, I have covered both of those things, which has been great.”

Coming to University

Leesa grew up on Tasmania’s stunning North-West Coast, at “Cradle Mountain’s back door.” A childhood filled with camping trips and bushwalking instilled in her a love of nature and an appreciation for biology.

“It’s such a fantastic place. The Coast itself is just beautiful.

Leesa did an apprenticeship in hairdressing, and while she loved the creativity of styling hair, it wasn’t the right career for her. So she came to University to study biology.

“I was always interested in biology but we didn’t have a lot of support on the Coast to continue through to university during that time. It was a little bit generational I think, to go out and find work.

“I gave up a job, I gave up a lifestyle, to come back and do science. So it needed a big commitment, financially as well as a personally."

Why you don’t want every day to be a Wednesday

Leesa’s two adult children are both at university, and she said she encourages “all kids to keep going.”

“Education is the key to most things. It’s the start to getting the best job that you want, but it’s also about actually enjoying the work that you do,” she said.  

“You have got to enjoy what you do. Otherwise every day is a Wednesday, isn’t it?”

While she doesn’t often style hair these days, Leesa now channels her creativity into art.

“Now I do botanical art, which is science and art together. Perfect.”

 Find out more about the Central Science Laboratory here.