I completed a PhD in eucalypt genetics at the School of Plant Science. In the sixteen years between finishing my science degree at the University of Queensland and starting my PhD I worked in research positions in biochemistry and molecular biology.
I chose to do my PhD here at UTas because I had worked with the eucalypt group in Plant Science for two years and knew that the level of support and guidance from my supervisors Brad Potts, Rene Vaillancourt and Dorothy Steane would be outstanding; that the research project was worth the time and effort and that a PhD would allow me to progress further in my field.
My project examined geographic patterns of genetic diversity in eucalypts and drew conclusions regarding evolutionary processes in Eucalyptus. Highlights during the PhD included being invited to speak at the Royal Society of London meeting, “The Evolutionary Legacy of the Ice Ages” and to write a chapter for the book, “Plant Diversity and Evolution”.
Since finishing I have continued to work within the eucalypt group as a post-doc, and have applied for an ARC Discovery fellowship.