Meet our Students:
Peter Gollan
PhD
in Biotechnology
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.
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