Brenden is in his second year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) degree. He graduated from St Ignatius' College in 2005 with a UAI of 98.3.

"First Year has probably been the best and most challenging year of my life. Academically, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Taking part in the Advanced Engineering Project gave me a chance to use my creativity and knowledge to help society. Socially, I made lots of new friends both through engineering and living at St John's College on campus."

Grace completed a combined degree, Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and Bachelor of Commerce with First Class Honours in 2006, and was awarded the University Medal in Chemical Engineering. Grace was sponsored by Petronas Malaysia, one of the major oil and gas corporations in the world.

"During the fourth year undergraduate study, I was awarded a Major Industry Project Placement Scheme (MIPPS) scholarship by the School, and worked full-time for 6 months at BHP Billiton undertaking high-level investigative projects. Through the MIPPS program, I gained lots of practical experience and my future career will certainly benefi­t from it".

Grace is now working for Petronas at the Petronas Twin Towers Malaysia, as an Executive under Research and Technology Division.

Yanxiang Shi is from Zhejiang, China. He obtained his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from the East China University of Science and Technology, has recently completed Master of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) degree at the School.

Why chemical and biomolecular engineering?My major during bachelor-level study was chemical engineering and I love it.

Why Sydney University? I think mostly because it is famous worldwide.

What are your plans for the future?After completing my masters from the University of Sydney, I would like to get a PhD in chemical engineering and obtain a position in a big, world-famous firm, and, of course, achieve some great findings.

Susie Wood

Susie Wood is from the United Kingdom, where she obtained a BA and MEng in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge. She is currently a PhD student in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Susie won the first prize in the Australian Institute of Energy's Postgraduate Student Awards at both New South Wales and national level.

"I wanted to do my PhD on a topic related to energy and the environment and the University of Sydney had projects and funding available in this area. And, of course, Sydney is a great place to live! My research is on the mitigation of fugitive methane emissions using porous burner reactors."

Bharat Bhushan is from India, where he obtained a Master of Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. During his PhD study in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Bharat published his research in several leading international journals and received the 'best paper' award for novelty and relevance at the International Congress on Methodologies for Emerging Technologies in Automation in Italy 2006.

Bharat has recently started his post-doctorate research work in the USA. "My PhD study has not only honed my skills in engineering but has also provided me with a strong foundation to conduct interdisciplinary research that is of direct relevance to the industrial world. I would now like to extend my research by collaborating with different researchers/research institutes worldwide."