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Fruit and nut experience for American intern
An American biochemistry student is getting a crash course in regional agriculture during her exchange semester at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Amanda Lee, who is on an international internship from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, said she was delighted with the fieldwork opportunities as part of her USC studies.
“The internship so far has been wonderful – entertaining and informative,” said the 20-year-old, who is based part-time at the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation’s Maroochy Research Station for 10 weeks.
She has visited avocado, strawberry and macadamia farms and will do lab work at the department’s Innovative Food Technologies centre in Brisbane.
“I’ve travelled to Gympie, Stanthorpe and farms across the Sunshine Coast,” she said. “Everyone really wants me to learn and succeed.”
USC Administration Officer Wendy Traves said Amanda’s interest in environmental analysis suited the diverse placements.
The Baltimore student had been involved in boosting crop yields by weighing nuts and inspecting them for mildew, examining water quality, and analysing avocados for bruising or disease.
“Her two-day trip to Stanthorpe with the department visited nurseries that supply most of the strawberry plants to south-east Queensland,” Ms Traves said.
Amanda said she initially chose USC because of the climate and location. “Now I’m getting to travel while the internship is helping me figure out where I want to take my biochemistry degree,” she said.
“I plan on getting my PhD and would love to help discover a cure for AIDS. I also enjoy plant pathology and disease research, so I may go into that.”
— Julie Gatehouse