Studying at Menzies Research Institute
Menzies is one of the best places in Australia to do your PhD or Honours.
Here, our students and graduates describe their experience and provide testimonial to Menzies outstanding reputation.
PhD Students
David Scott, PhD Student 2009
What really attracted me to complete my PhD at Menzies was the opportunity to join an ongoing epidemiological study such as the Tasmanian Older Adult Cohort (TASOAC) study. The population-based design and wide range of measures that were being collected in TASOAC really excited me, and opened up numerous pathways for my research.
Menzies prides itself on developing researchers and as such, students are provided with all the tools required to complete a successful PhD. You are given the opportunity to publish in peer-reviewed journals and to present at national and international conferences, which are invaluable experiences.
Publishing can be a gruelling exercise, but the sense of achievement when a paper is accepted makes it all worthwhile. Menzies also made it possible for me to attend and present at a conference in Paris which was a terrific experience, and a great chance to network with other researchers in my field.
At Menzies, there are also numerous development opportunities such as epidemiology and statistics courses. Students regularly present their work at institute seminars, where they can receive constructive feedback and new ideas from their colleagues.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of completing your PhD at Menzies is the availability of a range of experts from database managers to biostatisticians, as well as epidemiologists from a wide variety of backgrounds. Any PhD student would attest to the fact that "road blocks" are common throughout your candidature. However, at Menzies there is always someone willing and able to help you get back on track in a timely fashion.
I believe my candidature at Menzies has provided me with an excellent foundation for a career in research, and would highly recommend it to anyone considering postgraduate study in human health and wellbeing.
Kara Martin, PhD Student 2009
Becoming a PhD student at the Menzies Research Institute is an awesome experience. Not only are you a part of such a high-quality research institute, you get so many opportunities to work closely with some top researchers. From the staff here, to the other students and all the way up to the "big wigs" - everyone is willing to assist you and make you feel a part of something exciting. There are so many different projects being undertaken and every week we get a glimpse at another one through seminars and presentations.
Through Menzies, I have had the experience of publishing papers - the lows of rejection and reviewers comments, but the massive highs of acceptance and seeing my name on the top of a published journal article! As a student at Menzies, I have also had the opportunity to attend several conferences all over Australia and present my work to leading researchers in my field. Hopefully soon I will get the opportunity to attend an international conference in Washington DC!
One thing I really like about the Menzies is that not only am I a part of a team of researchers working away to hopefully prevent falls in the elderly, but I am also a part of the social culture too. Everyone is included in morning teas and drinks to celebrate milestones and achievements. It makes for a really friendly environment and at a potentially quite stressful time of your life, doing a PhD at the Menzies Research Institute takes some of the stress out of it all.
Kylie Smith, PhD Student 2009
Menzies provides a great learning environment for PhD students. There are always people around who are willing to help, ranging from other students and researchers to statisticians and IT support.
As a PhD student at Menzies I am given the chance to present at national and international conferences which are perfect opportunities to let others know about my research, and for networking with other researchers in my field of nutrition. We are also encouraged to publish our work in peer-reviewed journals. I had a great sense of achievement when my first article was accepted for publication and seeing the final article in print.
There are other opportunities that come from being at Menzies. I was involved in trying to help prevent the spread of Swine Flu during the early stages of the pandemic. I have also been involved in the Med School exams role playing as a "patient".
