Gouri Mondal
The University of Melbourne
I am a first-year PhD researcher at the University of Melbourne. I have completed my BSc and MSc in fisheries from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Then I was a government Fisheries Officer for about four years. After that, I joined as a lecturer at the University of Dhaka in 2016. Now I am doing my PhD research in Fisheries Economics. I am interested to know about the socio-economic condition of small-scale fishers in Bangladesh. I also want to learn which climatic factors and natural resources management have connections with poverty scenarios. The tentative outcomes will help me to build an econometric model for forecasting future poverty scenarios in this community.
1. A quick overview of the type of mathematics you are studying, and/or the aims of your research and its potential applications/outcomes (how you would explain your work and studies to friends who don’t study maths?)
I am working on poverty reduction approaches in fishers community. Mathematical algorithms will help me to analyse the socio-economic data. The tentative outcomes will give more insights into taking poverty reduction strategies for this community.
2. How did you get into the mathematical sciences? Was there someone or something that inspired you to this field?
I have started my PhD last year. My lab, CEBRA, is a good place to make connections with people with mathematics backgrounds. This environment inspired me to connect my research with mathematics.
3. Winter School is designed to give students a deeper understanding of their area of research and expose them to others working in different fields/industries. Tell me about your Winter School experience. What was the most valuable part of the program for you?
I enjoyed different courses, especially fisheries management and analysing the sloppiness of simulation models. These are related to my previous degrees. So, it was easier for me to understand.
4. What was your main take away/s from AMSI Winter School? Something you learnt? A connection you made? Do you have new ideas for your work/research or see it in a new light?
I got the scope to use R, and Python which increased my confidence in using any of these languages later. Also, I got the opportunity to make a connection with some speakers who shows interest to suggest to me in the future.
5. You received a grant to attend AMSI Winter School. How important was this in terms of your ability to attend, fully participate in the program and meet others studying in similar fields?
I have received both Travel and Carer grants to support me and my kids. Without these grants, it was not possible for me to attend the sessions in person. As a mother of two little kids, it was not easy to leave them in another state for professional development. These grants cover the travel cost and accommodation of my whole family which allow me to bring them with me.
6. What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for Winter School? How would you describe the conference to them?
I will highly suggest attending if anybody wants to know my opinion. It is a nice place to know the different stages of being a researcher and ongoing research in mathematics. It will also provide the opportunity to learn the future scope of employment which utilises mathematics.
7. Where do you want the mathematical sciences to take you? Where do you see yourself in five, ten years time?
I am a PhD student. My research has scope to use mathematics in the next stage of research. I just wanted to explore suitable algorithms and models which I could use in my research. Then I will be able to use mathematics in my future research in fisheries.
8. Any other feedback/comments you would like to provide on the travel grant or AMSI Winter School?
I have received both Travel and Carer grants to support me and my kids. Without these grants, it was not possible for me to attend the sessions in person.