14 July 2006 Science degree based on 'Real Life Research Culture'

We may never know why the chicken crossed the road, but Lincoln University knows why Colombian student Juan Carlos Lopez crossed the Pacific – to study chickens!

Specifically Juan Carlos came to Lincoln University for a doctoral degree in animal health and his research project, supervised by Dr Rob McFarlane, concerned the influence of environmental factors on the immune system and health of chickens. Pretty important work when you consider the chicken industry now contributes the largest proportion of the animal protein consumed in the diet of New Zealanders.

Sun-dried tomatoes are another great contemporary favourite with Kiwis, eaten in a variety of forms and products. At Lincoln University they've been the focus of attention of another student who has crossed the world to New Zealand to do some science – Sebastien Veillet from France.

Sebastien's project, supervised by Associate Professor Geoffrey Savage, has been to investigate whether the sun-drying process interferes with the beneficial level of antioxidants present in tomatoes.

"Science is all about asking questions and solving problems," says Associate Professor Savage, "and at Lincoln University our focus is particularly on the questions and problems that confront us in everyday life.

"Hence, for example, we've got food scientists looking into the nutritional value of food products during processing stages; we've got animal scientists working on the ability of lambs to withstand cold weather conditions, an important issue at this time of the year; we've got wine scientists working on the sensory evaluation of wine; and we also have soil scientists, plant scientists, environmental scientists all working on important problems that affect the health and well-being of New Zealanders.

"All these scientists are also lecturers and teach students so the 'real life research culture' we have at Lincoln University rubs off onto our students and gives them the immense benefits of learning in a 'culture of research'."

Christchurch-based Duncan McLane, a Lincoln Bachelor of Science graduate with First Class Honours in Animal Science and now an Operations Manager with Landcorp, puts it this way: "Lincoln University gave me the horsepower to get where I wanted to go – into the world of science and management. I knew that Lincoln University had a great reputation for producing graduates who get good jobs. Through my honours study and research project I learnt how to work in a dynamic situation under pressure, evaluate information and produce results within a specified time frame.

"Lincoln has given me a tremendous career lift."

It can do the same for you. For further information on science courses at Lincoln University go to www.lincoln.ac.nz