Rodrigo Garcia-Mulder

Rodrigo Garcia-Mulder

Rodrigo Garcia-Mulder

  • Student type: Domestic
  • Degree type: Honours
  • Year commenced: 2016
  • Major(s): Ecology and conservation biology

Why did you decide to study science?

I was always interested in the sciences at school and having good science teachers during primary school got me interested in acquiring new knowledge, experimenting with unknown materials and substances, but also understanding the purpose of the scientific method. Having travelled to many countries and seen so many different environments and animals triggered the interest in Biology, Ecology and Conservation. Much of our knowledge and technology is a result of scientific research and discovery. To be part of that and potentially contribute is another reason I got involved in, and continue to be involved in, the science community.

What made you choose Monash Uni in particular?
The Global Challenges course. The GC Honours degree is unique to Monash, and was the only degree of its kind when I began university. My brother had attended Monash as well and highlighted the quality education, however this is a lesser reason. Nice campus, high quality facilities and accessible.

What's your favourite aspect of studying science?
You can take it to any level you want. Being part of the community - learning a lot from fellow scientists.

What do you plan to do when you graduate?
Not entirely sure… It is the big question. I would love to continue with applied conservation as it is truly meaningful to me. Would love to start my own aquaculture or biotechnology startup to have some serious global social and environmental impact - concentrating on small scale operations in the global south. I plan to read lots of books and assure myself I know nothing compared to what there is to know.

What has been the highlight of your science degree so far?
Internship in Nelson, NZ - working for Cawthron and their Feed Efficiency Trial on King Salmon. Meeting a whole host of entrepreneurs, leadership coaches and impactors has been great - learning so much from the people who have done so much. The networks I have gotten out of the GC course is just invaluable - I would say setting me up for life to some extent.

That you are guaranteed a job out of it…and that it’s boring… but it is really some of the most fascinating stuff you’ll ever learn.


  • Do the global challenges course, best thing you’ll ever do.
  • Apply yourself.
  • Do chemistry or physics, in my opinion more useful than other sciences for grasp of all encompassing systems.
  • Study science, because it is everything. But also, don’t get into the trap of thinking its the only thing out there.
  • Don’t wait for the motivation to find you, find the motivation. Use the science to answer questions you have.

Give us a life hack or piece of advice you live by
Don’t sleep because you get more done that way. While you have time and no real commitments and responsibilities (that was my case, might not be yours), push yourself as hard as you can, past what you think is reasonable and then you can understand what you are capable of. When you think you’ve done enough, do another half an hour.