Diana Ionescu

PhD candidate Faculty of Science

A visit from a Monash astrophysicist convinced Diana Ionescu to leave her job as a physics teacher at a Romanian high school to study in Australia.

"Dr Alina Donea from the Monash Centre for Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics was visiting Romania. I became one of her research assistants, and eventually moved to Australia to continue my studies."

Now doing a PhD in astronomy, astro- and solar physics, Diana says the secret to successful research is picking the right topic. "It should inspire passion in you, because you are the one committed to that project for the next three to five years!"

A sympathetic supervisor helps too, and Diana describes her relationship with Dr Donea in glowing terms. "It's more like a friendship than a student-supervisor relationship," she says. "The difference that Alina makes can be seen in the number of publications that her students have produced – it speaks for itself."

Diana says her research has changed her personally in the sense that she has learnt to adapt to a new culture in Australia and seen the possibilities that a PhD opens up.

In terms of the astrophysics community, she believes her work has had a huge impact. "I've proven that sun quakes are not as rare a phenomenon as previously thought," she says.

"Monash is one of the best work environments I have ever worked in. The atmosphere is very relaxed, but at the same time people are working really hard. If anyone is considering a Higher Degree by Research, I believe Monash University should be one of the top choices!"

For more information visit the Centre for Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics website.