Growing the Next Generation of Researchers

While earning money is an important factor in our careers, many of us want to be able to leave a legacy through our work.

And that is exactly why 11 students from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology spent the summer months knee-deep in research. Last Wednesday, they presented their research at the Research Summer Scholarship Snapshot event at the Windermere Campus in Tauranga.

During their presentations, students shared a quick-fire summary of their projects – within a framework of three slides and five minutes. Krystal Ryan took out the prize for the day for her presentation about her study of sex changes in spotty fish under controlled stress conditions.

Faculty of Business, Management and Legal Studies Research Coordinator Cath Fraser says it was a great event, with a wide range of programmes represented including the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation, Creative Industries, Environmental Management, Economics, Aquaculture and Social Sciences. 

“Students were effusive in their appreciation of the learning opportunity afforded by the funding, and the mentorship of the project supervisors. Skills gained included understanding data gathering and performance testing protocols, new software applications, using DEXA equipment for monitoring bone density, time management, database development and oral and written presentation skills. 

“A call for 2019/20 applications will be made mid-year.”

Henry Whyte’s research explored questions around whether the use of bird excluders alter the effectiveness of Good Nature’s A24 self-resetting traps. 

The research, which Henry undertook as part of a collaboration between Toi Ohomai and Wellington company Good Nature, involved attaching beak blockers on 50 per cent of the 60 traps that were laid in December. The traps will be monitored for six months.

Henry says they had to complete a lot of the preparation work, such as cutting tracks, before they could set the traps, so it was good to share some of that at the Research Summer Scholarship Snapshot event.

“New Zealand is an awesome place and we have so many awesome species here, so we really have  to look after it. At least 80 per cent of our species are endemic to New Zealand, which means that you won’t find them anywhere else in the world. And if we lose one in New Zealand, then it’s lost to the world.”

Henry says he is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the research.

“This research is good for everybody, even people who don’t believe in conservation because they will get to benefit from it. It has given me field experience and it will give me experience with a company that is leading the way in this area.

“In terms of study, it helps me research but the true benefit is the relationships with companies – not just for me, but also for Toi Ohomai.”

Another who presented on the day was Chloe Ryan.

In her presentation, which was named Jumping in to My Summer Scholarship, Chloe talked about her work to help Tracey Clissold with her PhD research.

Tracey is exploring the subject of improving bone density in women over the age of 30 and Chloe says she assisted in the data collection and processing.

While Chloe is the only person to present at the event who was still working on an undergraduate qualification, she says it helped her identify what she wanted to do in the long-run.

Chloe is in the final year of the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation and says when she first started studying she wanted to become a personal trainer. Now she says she wants to continue in the research field.

“After I graduate, I will probably start my post-graduate study. I want to get into the research area of sport. Working with Tracey has given me the confidence to do chase it.”