Katherine Lizama Allende

Monash University PhD candidate Katherine Lizama Allende travelled from South America in pursuit of a research degree that offered both personal and professional development.

The Master of Science in engineering graduate from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, said arriving in Australia to work alongside internationally renowned research scientists was a life changing experience.

"A time ago I realised that performing a PhD in an English language country would suit my personal interests in different areas: living in a different country, improving my English, providing a personal challenge, and gaining experience," she said.

"I looked for the most prestigious universities in Australia, so I wanted to be in one of the Group of Eight. Finally I chose Monash because of its status and position in international rankings, but mostly for the research topics in civil engineering."

The Monash Faculty of Engineering boasts more than a dozen research institutes and centres, and has an international reputation for excellence in research and industry partnerships.

Katherine will be given access to an array of world-class research tools as she completes her environmental engineering research into water treatment and pollutant removal.

She will also be able to work alongside and share ideas with research students and professors from across the globe.

"Being here, starting a new, different life, and being a postgraduate at Monash makes me realise that we are not alone in this huge world, and there are many opportunities that you can make use of," she said.