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Holiday Science

A scheme where university students had summer work in a practical research environment has proved very successful for the Otago University students and for AgResearch Invermay.

"It was an excellent way of combining two needs. Invermay acquired some valuable science results from the project, while the students gained practical science skills, learnt more about AgResearch, and also had summer employment. I was impressed with what they achieved, and how they presented their results in their seminars," Invermay general manager Dr Peter Fennessy said.

Nine students worked alongside Invermay scientists researching molecular genetics, sheep and deer, soil fertility, rhizobia, biological control of insects, and possum reproduction.

Some projects were new, such as looking at the effects of hormones on possum reproduction, others were a follow-up of previous research work, such as investigating the spread of an introduced biological control agent for the Sitona stem weevil in Central Otago.

One student, Janine Barnett, found the practical experience of her work over summer a bonus. Her project covered the molecular genetics of the Inverdale gene, working at AgResearch's Molecular Biology Unit at Otago's Biochemistry Department. As well as contributing to the unit's knowledge of genetic markers, she learnt "heaps" of techniques previously only talked about in lectures, had public speaking experience, and generally felt her horizons had been broadened by the opportunity.