Meet Elliott – Bio-tech whizz, nature-lover, budding entrepreneur, and a Westpac Future Leaders Scholar - ready to make his mark on the world, while inspiring others to do the same!
Elliott (he/him) grew up wanting to be a doctor, but a phobia of needles meant he decided to pursue study in biochemistry instead and is undertaking a PhD in Synthetic Biology and Engineering Biology.
When Elliott’s not in the lab, you can find him at his favourite place on campus – Oak Lawn.
“I’m a local hills boy who grew up spending a lot of time surrounded by forest and nature. I really like being outdoors, enjoying the warm breeze and grass – plus it’s a great spot to meet friends for lunch!”
Elliott has big plans for the future and says the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship will see him collaborate with like-minded experts to help his ambition to start his own biotech company, on the back of Australia’s booming STEM industry.
Having the connections of knowledgeable people in all fields is incredible. I plan to use the scholarship to support my study and travel to conferences to present my research as well as network with leaders in my field.
If you’re thinking about postgraduate study and want to help shape the future of Australia, but feel a bit daunted about the application process, Elliott offers some words of wisdom.
"It felt like I had this huge mountain ahead of me with hundreds of other strong candidates. I felt a bit of imposter syndrome going into it (and still do), but I don’t think that’s a bad thing either. Anything worth it can feel a little scary at times, but I kept reminding myself about how important it is to be honest to myself."
We asked Elliott to share his top tips for nailing the application process.
Be yourself – at the end of the day they’re looking to give the scholarship to you so give them you, don’t sell yourself short, and ask others for help – the people around you will always have your back!
Just in case you need any more words of encouragement, Elliott offers this,
Just do it! You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. It’s an amazing experience that opens countless doors and you’ll learn a lot about yourself and others throughout the process.
Applications for the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship are open. Find out more and apply via the Westpac Future Leaders website.
