 My name is Stephanie, I'm from Toronto, Canada, and I'm doing my PhD at the University of Auckland. I did my Bachelor of Science at the University of Guelph in Canada, and after I graduated I took some time off, but I always knew that I wanted to do postgraduate work. I chose the Ligins Institute kind of by chance. I had a friend recommend it to me, and I looked into it and I was really, really interested in the work being done here as well as the work of my supervisors. It was the perfect marriage of what I did in my undergraduate degree. My research focuses on developmental programming, which is the concept that the maternal and utero environment has long-term outcomes for her offspring. So specifically, we're looking at the effects of maternal obesity on long-term offspring health, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. I think there's many advantages to being part of the University of Auckland. It's a great university. It's really, really, really, highly amongst the best universities in the world, and the facilities specifically at the Ligins Institute are really, really great. There's a lot of different pieces of equipment here that you can use, and you can do a lot of different techniques. As an international student, I think that Auckland and New Zealand in general is just a really great place to be. There's a lot to do in and around Auckland and throughout New Zealand. So as well as doing my PhD, I've been able to travel a lot in my free time, which is, I think, a really good experience, and it helps keep really great work-life balance for me. I would describe my supervisors as being extremely supportive, knowledgeable, and available when I need their help, but also they're really good about giving me the independence I need to pursue what I'm interested in. Doing a PhD allows you to pursue your own interests, and you also get to travel the world. You know, you can get sent to a conference and communicate with people who are experts in your field, and that is amazing. But as someone considering postgraduate study, I would say that you have to be 100% passionate about what you're going to be pursuing, because at the end of the day, that passion is what's going to keep you going through all the ups and downs, but it can be one of the best experiences of your life.