David Adams
David Adams
- Student type: International
- Degree type: PhD
- Specialisation: Sea Turtle Reproductive Ecology
What is your topic and area of research?
Sea turtle reproductive ecology.
Why did you decide to do a Masters/PhD in your topic?
I love it and it's one of the few things I'm good at.
What made you choose Monash Science in particular?
Excellent mentor; international study; great school.
What's your favourite aspect of being a PhD student?
I love the independence and the thought of knowing how my future will be better.
What do you plan to do when you graduate?
Maybe take the postdoc route that will perhaps take me into academia? Or maybe go into research and conservation in government or with an NGO? I just don't know yet.
What has been the highlight of your study experience so far?
I just started, so I guess my favourite part is getting to know my mentors. I also love having my own office.
What's the biggest misconception you had about studying a masters/PhD?
I thought that it would be a program that would have a defined goal from the beginning, i.e.., I'd know what I should be doing every step of the way. This is NOT the case.
If you were to give some advice to someone who's thinking about studying a PhD at Monash Science, what would you say?
Think carefully about whether you can work independently and if you can self-motivate. If you have doubts, don't do it. Also, don't do it just because others want you to - it must be something you want very much, because you must be willing to work very hard for many years to accomplish it.
Give us a life hack or piece of advice you live by:
Have the confidence in yourself to ask questions of anyone.
What is an interesting fact about yourself?
My career as a biologist has led me to specialise in wildlife management, especially as it relates to neonates: I have been involved with studies that required me to handle mule deer fawns, bighorn sheep lambs, and sea turtle hatchlings in my professional career. I'm a lucky man!