After 7 years studying at UQ’s Gatton campus, Edith Lin proudly calls Queensland home. Now completing a Master of Animal Science, majoring in Wildlife Biology, she is preparing for a career in conservation. Driven by a lifelong love for animals and a strong commitment to protecting them, UQ is helping Edith reach her goals.
A passion that grew with her
Edith was born in Taiwan and raised in Shanghai before moving to Australia as a child. Her interest in animals started early, from caring for her first dog to raising a pet salamander. She originally wanted to be a vet but later realised her passion was in animal advocacy, behaviour and welfare.
She completed her undergraduate studies with a major in zoology, which helped shape her confidence as a learner and sparked a strong interest in fieldwork and research.
Hands-on research that makes a difference
For her master’s research project, Edith is helping improve how scientists detect echidnas in southeast Queensland. Although echidnas live across much of Australia, there is limited data on their numbers and movements. Edith uses faecal samples to attract echidnas to cameras, where she can collect better population data without disturbing them.
This non-invasive method could be a game-changer for wildlife monitoring. She is working under the guidance of Dr Kate Dutton-Regester and collaborating with the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to carry out her fieldwork.
Skills that go beyond the classroom
Outside of her course, Edith participated in a UQ summer research program, assessing wildlife admissions to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital. Through this, she was able to gain invaluable data analysis skills, working with real-world wildlife hospital data. The program also helped her improve her skills in trend analysis, reporting and local wildlife knowledge.
Taking opportunities like this will help give Edith a unique edge when it comes to starting her career.
Looking ahead: Park ranger or PhD?
Edith’s goal is to become a park ranger, where she can protect wildlife and share her passion for the environment with others. She is also considering doing a PhD to deepen her knowledge and research skills.
In her own words, she is turning her childhood dreams into a meaningful career, working to support conservation and improve animal welfare across Australia. With UQ’s focus on outstanding research, industry connections and hands-on experience, Edith feels ready for her future.
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