Leigh Stitz

Leigh describes a higher degree by research as a bespoke experience that allows people to reach their full potential. Leigh enjoyed working with her supervisors, presenting her work at conferences, and meeting professors and researchers from all over the world.

Leigh appreciates that she was able to learn from the best in her field and develop valuable skills, including time management, project management and attention to detail. Leigh currently works as the executive officer at Fitzroy Partnership for River Health, trying to utilise everything she learned during her research studies: "It is the skills I learned above and beyond my PhD research topic that have ended up being the most useful in my career."

Leigh encourages the next generation of research graduates not to be shy, to meet researchers in different fields, and take advantage of all the amazing opportunities that come their way.

Thesis title: The importance of macroinvertebrates in freshwater subtropical systems: Ecological patterns, monitoring and management