Laura Raiti
Biomedicine student Laura Raiti's dream is to one day be a top cancer researcher. After enjoying chemistry and biology at high school, Laura is thrilled with the possibilities that the course is providing her.
"There's so much more freedom in the labs here, you get three hour pracs, so there is the time to learn more practically," she says.
Another driving force for Laura is that she is a part of a great learning environment.
She explains, 'I'm amongst the top level of students and teachers, the course is amazing. Everyone wants to do well and is passionate and exited about learning; whether it's to go into research or medicine'.
Laura is really happy with the quality of teaching staff, and particularly how they share stories about their own amazing research. Another aspect that Laura enjoys is the flexibility she has in choosing her subjects.
"I'm a big fan of the Melbourne Model, it's amazing that you an have that freedom to do breadth subjects," she says.
Her breadth subjects have allowed her to chase another passion, singing. She's in two choirs as part of her breadth subjects - the Faculty of Music choir and the World Choir, is involved with the University musical theatre group and was the lead role in the recent production of Rent. She would like to use these experiences, as well as her science research, to travel overseas.
"I'd love to go to London to see how science is taught overseas. I've sung songs from all over the world and in all different languages in the World Choir breadth subject - and I'd love to go to Broadway, obviously!" she says.
It is this wide range of possibilities that makes studying at Melbourne the perfect fit for Laura.
"I thought that Melbourne Uni would be strictily academic, but there's a great social aspect with the clubs, dance, sports and parties - it's never quiet!" she says.
As for the future, the possibilities for this immensely talented student are endless. Laura is really enjoying the flexibility of her course, particularly as she has three years to figure out exactly what she wants to do, whilst she is still learning.
"That's the beauty of it - you don't have to know what study you want to go on to. There are options of a pathway into postgraduate courses or into research. I think I want to stick to the research side, but if I change my mind that's OK, I can" she says.