Issue 7 2008 - acpfg

ISSUE 7 – 2008Summer student Rebecca McBride (centre) worked with Dr Stuart Roy (left) and PhD student Joanna Sundstrom (right)Support and socialising are ACPFG assetsBY REBECCA MCBRIDEI APPLIED FOR the summer scholarship program at ACPFG becauseI wanted to get experience in a research environment, particularly inplant science, as I am studying Agricultural Science at the Universityof Adelaide.I knew relatively little about the centre before I applied but foundthat the research was very relevant to the major issues facing theagricultural industry, both in Australia and around the world.I was nervous before I started as I had very little experience inlaboratory work but the work was matched to my abilities and whatI was comfortable doing.One of the most interesting aspects was going to lab meetings andjournal club, which provided me with an opportunity to see how thelab was run and research going on around the world.What I didn’t expect was the strong social side to the centre. Duringmy time at the centre I went to a pirate-themed Christmas party and apool party called a ‘lab meeting’. These gave me an opportunity to get toknow the people from the centre away from the work environment.For people who are thinking of applying I recommend that youdo because you get experience in a world class research facility, thework is tailored to your abilities and interests and you get to meetmany friendly people who could be good contacts for a future careerin plant research. All the staff are very helpful and more than happyto have you there.I really enjoyed my time at ACPFG and would like to thankeveryone involved.What I got out of the scholarship:Learnt many new lab techniques actuallybeing used in current research.The opportunity to work with people fromall around the world.Experience using state of the art equipment.Confidence in working by myself and theability to work with many different people.Meeting people from the industry that arepotential contacts for the future.7