Doing a PhD with the CRCNPB is "an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity", according to Mai Hlaing Loh.

"I get the chance to work on national and international collaborations with laboratories and people I had only ever dreamed of working with," she says.

"The strength of the support and the wonderful nurturing environment of the CRCNPB really encouraged me to undertake this PhD."

Her PhD thesis is "The Lutoviridae as a Pilot to Evaluate Virulence Evolution in EPPs." This follows on from a Bachelor of Ag Science (Honours) from the University of Melbouurne and a Bachelor of Applied Biology and Biotechnology from RMIT University.

Mai Hlaing lives just 15 minutes from Melbourne's CBD and the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne.

"I like living in where I do because it's close to everything I love about Melbourne: the quiet parks, rivers and bushland; the cafes; art galleries and theatres."

She says her favourite way to spend a Sunday is to get up early, enjoy a hot cup of tea sitting on the balcony, listening to the birds. Then she likes to alternate between reading and playing her cello for the rest of the day.

Mai Hlaing's career goal is to make a significant difference and contribution to the world of plant virus research and agricultural biosecurity worldwide.