John Monash Scholarship

Marianne Haines will begin her PhD at the University of Calgary in May next year after she was awarded a John Monash Scholarship.

The scholarship is for outstanding Australians with leadership potential who wish to study overseas.

One of 18 national recipients, Marianne said receiving the scholarship was surreal.

“I put my best effort in to the application process, but I wasn’t sure if I was a real chance. I feel very honoured to receive it,” she said.

Her supervisor and Director of Research at La Trobe’s School of Life Science, Dr Ashley Franks, said Marianne was the perfect recipient.

“Marianne is one of the most outstanding students I have had the pleasure of supervising,” Dr Franks said.

“The scholarship is a great opportunity for her to continue to develop her potential by undertaking a PhD in one of the leading international laboratories in her field.

Marianne completed her Bachelor of Biological Sciences before doing her Honours in Microbiology.

“I came to La Trobe to study Animal and Veterinary Science, but fell into microbiology after doing a subject on it. I have developed a passion for environmental microbiology and hope in the future to return to Australia to apply my knowledge to industry.”

Marianne grew up on a sheep and crop farm just outside Nagambie and attended Goulburn Valley Grammar School in Shepparton. Her proud parents travelled to Sydney for the scholarship announcement.

During her time at La Trobe, Marianne has acted a science mentor in disadvantaged schools. She also set up and ran the La Trobe Microbiology Society.


Media Contact - Anastasia Salamastrakis 0428 195 464