Cassandra Kavanagh

What did you major in?
Forensic Science.

What did you do before you started your course?
Before starting my course I was working in a media marketing agency where I was involved in project and account management. I got to work with some great people from across a wide variety of Australian media companies.

What motivated you to study this degree/major?
I have had an interest in Forensic Science since I was in about year 11 at high school. I remember coming into UTS to see a public lecture about Forensic Science by Professor Claude Roux and that was the first time that I was exposed to what forensic science is and what it can achieve. It was an application of science that could benefit society in a way that I had never really thought of before – in a way that was different to medical science or environmental science for example.

What do you enjoy most about your degree?
The thing that I love the most about my degree is learning from people who have had extensive experience working in the field. Our teachers have really interesting stories from their work across various corners of forensic science and this is a constant reminder of the reality of what we are learning.

Why did you choose to study at UTS?
I found that the work being done at the Centre for Forensic Science was important to my decision in coming to study Forensic Science at UTS. The Centre’s research collaborations with key industry partners demonstrated that the university was one of the leaders in this field and was recognised by potential future employers. I also liked the repertoire of subjects available and the calibre of teaching staff to deliver them.

What is it like to study at UTS Science?
It seems that there is always so much going on at UTS Science and the variation in scientific disciplines and the students studying them is vast. One of the good things about studying a Master of Science is that you get to meet other Masters students that are working in many scientific fields that are different to yours.

Is there any advice you would give to students studying this degree?
My advice to students would be to immerse themselves in the industry beyond their day-to-day subject material. For example, try and join the ANZFSS (The Australian New Zealand Forensic Science Society) and keep across relevant Journals such as the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences.

What would you like to do once you have completed your degree?
I would love to eventually work as a Forensic Biologist at the NSW Forensic and Analytical Science Service. I’m also interested in learning more about the use of DNA evidence for police intelligence purposes such as SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) phenotyping.