Garching, Bavaria, Germany
I am studying a PhD at the Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics having completed a MSc in Physics at the University of Otago. I worked as an Analyst in the Actuarial team at PwC in Wellington for a year and a half. During my study, I volunteered for the Otago Optics Chapter, a physics outreach group. I also tutored a first year physics paper which gave me experience communicating concepts to students who found them complicated and difficult. I completed a Callaghan Innovation Internship at Bostock NZ. This involved developing a model to predict the apple size at harvest, as well as evaluating various new technologies. I thoroughly enjoyed this internship, as it gave me the opportunity to use my problem-solving skills to better inform the business’ practices. Having completed an honours degree in physics, I have skills in understanding complex concepts, analysing data and advanced problem solving. I also umpire and play hockey both to a high level, which gives me experience in effective communication and taking responsibility for mistakes. As the Head Boy of Dunstan High School in 2017, I have had a good opportunity to learn about leadership and relating to others.
This Callaghan Innovation internship involved building a model to predict the size of apples at harvest. We also trialled several technologies for assessing fruit counts and scanning harvest bins before they have reached the packing shed.