Belinda Fabian is a PhD candidate in the Department of Molecular Sciences at Macquarie University where she’s using cutting edge molecular biology and sequencing techniques to study the genes of beneficial bacteria that colonise plant roots. Belinda is in her 3rdyear and is supervised by Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen and Dr Sasha Tetu.

Prior to this Belinda completed a Bachelor of Science (part-time while working full-time) and Masters of Research at Macquarie University and was awarded the university medal in Biology for her exceptional results in these programs. Belinda’s Masters project focused on extrafloral nectar production by Australian native plants and this is where her passion for plant biology was ignited.

Before changing to a science pathway, Belinda completed a Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration double degree at Macquarie University and then worked for 11 years in accounting in a private home improvement company.

Belinda has tutored in multiple undergraduate Biology and Molecular Sciences units over 5 years and is passionate about preparing students for the workplace and showing the world that there is a lot of creativity in science.

When she’s not doing science Belinda loves making mixed media art and shares this passion by teaching at a local art & craft store.