Swinburne Research Student Profiles
Thanyalak Rujipak
I graduated with a Bachelor degree in social science (social development and sociology) in my home country of Thailand. Studying Sociology made me develop a keen interest in how societies work. This inspired me to do my Masters in population and social research at Mahidol University. I very much enjoyed the practical research element of my Masters, and through this postgraduate study my interest in the sociological analysis of populations and societies developed even further.
I later moved to Melbourne to complete a second Masters, this time studying Applied Statistics at Swinburne University of Technology. This was an important step towards me attaining my eventual goal of PhD candidature to continue my social research and further explore my interest in social psychology.
Prior to commencing my PhD I successfully applied for a Scholarship from Swinburne. Being an overseas student, it was initially difficult to find a balance between part-time work and study; the Swinburne scholarship has helped with tuition fees and housing, and has allowed me to focus on my studies.
My PhD topic is ‘Re-entry adjustment of Thai international students who have studied in Australian Universities and returned home after their graduation, comparing to their counterparts in Thailand’, a topic that was constructed in collaboration with my PhD supervisors. My supervisors have been a truly positive influence on my research endeavours. They have allowed me independence and have shown not only understanding and compassion, they have also been emotionally supportive and have encouraged me through my PhD journey. Every time I had some difficulties, they never hesitated to resolve my particular issues. I am very appreciative of them! I also have to say that the Swinburne staff in general are friendly and supportive, they are kind and they helped me every time I had questions or problems.
My time at Swinburne has been meaningful, and has taught me how to be an independent researcher. Studying at Swinburne has also given me the skills required for an academic career back in Thailand.
Peter Gollan
I've always been curious about what things are made of and how nature works, with particular interests in chemistry and biology, so when I found out about the Biotechnology degree at Swinburne, it seemed exactly what I was after.
My undergraduate course in Biotechnology at Swinburne encompassed a broad spectrum of really interesting topics that included forensic and pharmaceutical chemistry, analytical instrumentation, the pathogenesis of bacteria and viruses and some of their industrial applications. We were also taught how to understand and work with DNA, genes and proteins from plants, animals, bacteria and viruses. In addition to these theoretical concepts, I learnt practical skills like how to conduct research, both in the lab and in silico, how to communicate the results of my research in written and oral presentations, and to approach my work with creativity and an open mind.
A year in IBL was a valuable part of my degree because it allowed me to work full time, with the benefits of a full time wage, while at the same time gaining the experience of working in a relevant field at an industry level. My IBL experience, as well as the experiences of fellow students, helped me to decide which areas to focus on in finding a direction for my future scientific career.
Exposure to the various aspects of biotechnology throughout my degree helped me to appreciate that there were many different directions I could potentially choose to pursue after I graduated. When that time came, I elected to continue at Swinburne in research with an Honours year and now a PhD in plant molecular biology. Even though I'm now becoming more experienced in the many aspects of scientific research, I still refer every day to the concepts and practical experience I gained as an undergrad.
Karen Johnson
At the end of 2005, I completed eight years of part-time study at Swinburne University of Technology after obtaining my Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) in 2003 and my Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in 2005. Completing my undergraduate degree at Swinburne was a rewarding experience, not only in terms of what I learnt and achieved, but also due to the fellow students I met and the supportive environment provided by the Life and Social Sciences faculty.
Going on to an honours degree allowed me to gain further knowledge and to focus on specific areas of interest, particularly in relation to the thesis I completed. My thesis supervisor was extremely helpful and supportive during the completion of this project. I was later accepted into the Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology which I will undertake full-time for four years. Although still readjusting to full-time student status, the past semester has already provided a wealth of experience and practical knowledge that will be invaluable during my internship placements and later in my chosen professional field. I expect the subjects that I will complete over the course of the Doctorate program to be equally relevant to my work as a counselling psychologist.
Given that my professional goal is to work in the field of relationship counselling/family therapy, my doctoral thesis topic will consider the effects of adult attachment, conflict styles and emotional intelligence on relationship satisfaction in couples.
Although completing a major research project seemed a little daunting initially, I have chosen a topic I am passionate about, which has made the research ground work I have done so far much more enjoyable. I look forward to the challenges that the next few years will bring!
Sven Teichmann
I began my tertiary studies in General Physics at the Technical University of Munich in Germany. Six years of study provided me with the Australian equivalent of a Bachelor Degree, Masters and Honours. During this time I refined my areas of interest and became more passionate about research; by the end of my time at the Technical University of Munich I was specialising in Quantum Physics at the Max-Planck Institute of Quantum-Optics.
The Australian way of life, the people, and the landscape have a good reputation in Germany so when I got the opportunity to do an internship at the Centre for Atom Optics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy at Swinburne University of Technology in 2003, I happily accepted the offer. The people at the Centre were friendly and it was a small group that worked very well together. Also, the equipment was, and is still, exceptional. During this time I developed relationships with some prominent Swinburne Professors that were internationally recognised in their field, and it was this interaction that eventually led to my PhD candidature at Swinburne.
There have been many positives about moving to Melbourne to do my PhD: I was awarded a Swinburne scholarship which has greatly assisted me during my research endeavours; coming to Australia has improved my English and will be important for my future career aspirations in Industrial Research; and I have been fortunate to be attached to a prestigious Australian Research Council (ARC) research centre (The Centre for Coherent X-Ray Science), where I have been able to complete both applied and fundamental research.
My supervisor and my coordinating supervisor have been a positive influence on my research and they have given me the freedom to work independently (within certain boundaries of course!). I enjoy the lifestyle in Australia and I enjoy experiencing everything that Melbourne has to offer.
The question of whether to take on work here in Melbourne after completing my PhD or move back home to Germany will be a difficult one!