Iain McConnell RSBS PhD Student

Iain’s PhD project focuses on the nature of the water oxidising reactions of photosystem II. This is the process in photosynthesis which produces the oxygen you breathe. Iain says, “The whole of humanity is dependent on this process for its continued existence yet we do not fully understand how it works, my goal is to explain this process”.

Iain completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Otago in New Zealand. He chose ANU for his PhD on the basis of people and facilities in the Photobioenergetics lab in RSBS. Iain says, “My supervisors are well known in their field, incredibly able and great people. It is a constant challenge to measure up to their expectations.”

There are many great things about doing a PhD; one is the opportunity to travel. Iain recently attended a conference in Russia, where he had the opportunity to meet world leaders in his research area. “Meeting the big names in your field face to face and discussing work with them can be a career and life changing event”, Iain says.

Iain is now considering potential post-doctoral positions; his immediate goal is a noble one, to work on a project that has real tangible benefits for society.

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