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Victoria
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Managing Director EcoBiotics Limited
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Who do you work for?
I work for EcoBiotics.
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What does your job involve?
I am a Chemical Ecologist. I am the co-founder and Managing Director of the company I work for - EcoBiotics. EcoBiotics discovers new bioactive chemicals from Queensland’s rainforests to be developed into new pharmaceuticals (drugs for medicine) and agrochemicals (chemicals for use on plants or crops).
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What do you like most about your job?
I get to be a scientist as well as a businesswoman. I love the science as I love solving mysteries. Creating strategies to find new chemicals sourced from nature and then testing these strategies is very exciting. However, I equally love the business side of my world.
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What are the perks of your job?
I get to crawl around in Queensland’s wonderful rainforest collecting all sorts of weird and wonderful things as well as travel all over the world meeting and working with some amazing people.
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What is the most unusual or fun thing you’ve done in your job?
I’ve worked over much of northern Australia including places like Kakadu National Park, Weipa and Gove but my favourite site was in the Solomon Islands where I worked on a project in researching cloning methods for timber production. We flew into the capital, Honiara and then flew to one of the smaller islands. During these flights our fellow passengers were often chickens and pigs and I sometimes sat in the co-pilots seat as space was always limited. Next came a two hour canoe trip through stunning waterways out to the island where our research site was located. We would always stay at least two weeks during these visits and the local people threw great parties.
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What inspired you to choose a career in this area?
I find the natural environment an enthralling place. Ecology is the study of how species interact in the environment. Species produce chemicals to protect themselves, to attract mates, to mark out their territory and to access food and more. The study of this is called chemical ecology. It’s fascinating!
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How did you get to where you are now?
I held a number of interesting positions like veterinary nurse, horse training, restaurateur before I settled into science. I have been a laboratory technician and research assistant, university tutor and lecturer, research scientist and research manager. Employers included the University of Tasmania, Boral Timber Division and the CSIRO.
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Who or what has been an inspiration to you?
My heroes from history are Boadicea (and tribal Queen in England who lead a revolt against the Romans) and Elizabeth I of England. These were women who had the courage to own who they were and be all that they could be in a world that was strongly structured against them.
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What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Never express yourself more clearly than you think.
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What training/qualifications do you have/need?
PhD in Chemical Ecology, CSIRO/James Cook University, Townsville Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours), University of Tasmania Diploma of Veterinary Nursing, Sydney Technical College.
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What subjects did you study at school?
Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Geography.
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What are your career goals/plans for the future?
My vision for the future is to develop EcoBiotics into Australia’s first multinational chemical company that researches, develops and markets pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals sourced from our own tropical rainforests.
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What career opportunities are there for people in your field?
An ecologist or chemical ecologist could find employment in a range of fields for example as technicians, research assistants, research scientist, journalists, university lecturers, zoo and wildlife park managers/advisors/assistants and political advisors.
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What is the average starting salary for a graduate?
$35-45K
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