Student Profiles
Our Science and Engineering students come from a range of academic and personal backgrounds, and end up in a diverse range of positions. Read below about the dynamic experiences and opportunities a selection of our current students and graduates are undertaking.
Laura Hines
Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences
Although Laura Hines says that University is not just about the learning, she did a lot of it while she was at the University of Waikato.
Tori Blomfield
Earth Sciences
Bachelor of Science graduate Tori Blomfield began volunteering in 2013, wanting to make a difference in other people’s lives. This experience led to trip to America, a new group of life-long friends, plus a job as an Engineering Geologist.
Billy Bodger
Earth Sciences
Smaller class sizes, enthusiastic lecturers and field trips to exciting North Island locations has made Earth Sciences study at Waikato a top experience for student Billy Bodger.
Jamie Bridson
Chemistry
Scientist Jamie Bridson is researching how we can use biological materials from the forestry industry to create new environmentally friendly products such as biodegradable plastics.
Erena Calder Hawkins
Biochemistry, Biotechnology
Erena has played badminton since she was eight years old and has gained many achievements in her passion. Her biggest achievement to date is competing at World Junior Championships in Peru 2015.
Annette Carshalton
Earth Sciences
Annette flew to Scott Base to begin her research in her version of paradise. She spent a week in Antarctica, flying by helicopter to nine different sites to collect soil climate data.
Catherine Charleson
Biological Sciences
Hearing heart-warming pregnancy success stories from her patients is the ultimate reward for Catherine Charleson, who works in a Hamilton fertility clinic as a clinical embryologist.
Alice Chibnall
Biological Sciences
Alice's research background is in stem cells and she works for renowned plastic surgeon and medical researcher Dr Swee Tan.
Monique Corbett
Biological Sciences
Monique has fond memories of all the practical, hands-on experience that was a big part of her degree, with the Bay of Plenty providing the perfect environment for the marine and freshwater related component in particular.
Anthony Coventry
Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences
“I really liked how the BSc(Tech) degree allowed me to have real work experience and connected me with people in the working world from a variety of industries”.
Rachel Curran
Biological Sciences
Rachel became involved in the sport of Olympic weightlifting through her PE teacher at Birkenhead College. She has dedicated more than three and a half years to the sport where Rachel has competed in a number of events.
Andrea Dekrout
Biological Sciences
Andrea Dekrout's job tackles two of the biggest issues the world is worried about right now - the refugee crisis and environmental conservation.
Rene Engelbrecht
Materials and Process Engineering
For engineering graduate Rene Engelbrecht, her first year out of university has been a busy and exciting one.
Nisha Fernandez-Ritchie
Chemistry
For Nisha Fernandez-Ritchie, the choice to study at Waikato University seemed like an obvious one. With both her parents having worked at Waikato, she says she “pretty much grew up on campus”.
Luke Fielding
Mechanical Engineering
“As someone of Māori descent, it bothers me that so few Māori are completing qualifications in science and engineering, so if I can help change that, then I’ll be pleased.”
Elizabeth Geddes
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Elizabeth Geddes made her mark on campus, as president of the University of Waikato's Young Engineers Society.
Terry Halford
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Terry Halford “fell through the cracks” at school and left without qualifications. Today he’s an environmental engineer, having qualified with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the University of Waikato.
Dylan Harrison
Chemistry
For Waikato graduate Dylan Harrison, a career in science has always been on the cards.
Leon Henderson
Mechanical Engineering
Since 2013 Leon has been a research associate at Cambridge University, working in an automotive engineering capacity on a project funded by Volvo Trucks.
Coco Hseuh
Biochemistry
“I wanted a degree that offered me the opportunity to gain both theory knowledge about science and as well as practical work experience, and the BSc(Tech) did that”.
Aaron Huesser
Earth Sciences
Growing up in rural Taranaki, Aaron developed an appreciation and passion for the environment. Surrounded by natural energy producers he also gained an enthusiasm for the energy industry, which sparked his interest in the earth sciences.
Pinwei Jin
Engineering
Master of Engineering (ME) student Pinwei Jin has designed and built a remote control robotic snake, which he hopes will be used in the future for rescue operations.
Nicholas Kaun
Chemistry
With an excellent reputation for chemistry research, a relaxed campus, and a handful of scholarships on offer, former Saint John's College student Nicholas Kuan knew the University of Waikato was the right choice for him.
Catherine Kirby
Biological Sciences
A six-month exchange to Canada, a handful of scholarships and excellent support from lecturers were just a few of the things that made study at Waikato an experience of a lifetime for graduate Catherine Kirby.
Kirsty Kraakman
Biological Sciences, Chemistry
Making new discoveries in science is the ultimate goal for student Kirsty Kraakman.
Ryan Lee
Earth Sciences
The opportunity to spend plenty of time getting hands-on experience in laboratories and out in the field made Waikato University’s BSc the ideal choice for Ryan Lee.
Riki Lewis
Earth Sciences
For Riki Lewis, studying Earth Sciences at Waikato has led to an exciting job as a Soil Scientist with the Queensland Government.
Cathy (Zhi) Liu
Earth Sciences
Maintaining healthy harbours and estuaries is just one of the projects that Waikato PhD graduate Cathy Liu has been involved in during her time at the Waikato Regional Council (WRC).
Peter Longdill
Earth Sciences
A University of Waikato science graduate is in the Middle East working to reduce the environmental impacts of a major sea port project.
Aaron Low
Engineering
Dr Low graduated from Waikato with a doctorate in 2012. He works at Ligar, a company based at Ruakura in Hamilton that specialises in commercial filtration to extract organic and inorganic molecules.
Kathleen Martinez
Environmental Sciences
University of California Davis student Kathleen Martinez chose an exchange in New Zealand because of the unique ecosystems, beautiful landscapes and rich Maori heritage.
Victoria McCullough
Materials and Process Engineering
Victoria McCullough chose engineering because she wanted to study towards a career that was both academic and practical.
Tasman McKelvey
Earth Sciences
“The BSc(Tech) is such a flexible and job-orientated degree that incorporates both management as well as science and technology."
April McMurtrie
Animal Behaviour, Biological Sciences
Handling cheetahs, training giraffes and rearing emu chicks are just a few of the things keeping University of Waikato graduate April McMurtrie busy in her inspiring career as a zoo keeper.
Kieran Miller
Biological Sciences
Ensuring high profile infrastructure projects have a minimal impact on the environment is a real buzz for graduate Kieran Miller.
Kirsten Nel
Electronic Engineering
For electronic engineering honours graduate Kirsten Nel, the University of Waikato was her first choice because of glowing reviews from current students.
Tennille Nisbet
Mechanical Engineering
“I believe I’m attending the best school of engineering in the country because the education is uniquely hands-on and the classes are a good size.”
Mahonri Owen
Engineering
For engineering masters student Mahonri Owen, the drive to help others led him to undertake one of the most complex research projects – to design and create a brain-controlled electro-mechanical prosthetic hand.
Sanjay Patel
Chemistry
Sanjay Patel found his passion in chemistry and finance at the University of Waikato after deciding an Otago health sciences degree wasn’t for him.
Tom Petchell
Mechanical Engineering
Choosing to undertake tertiary study is a big decision, and not one that engineering student Tom Petchell took lightly.
Jonathan Puddick
Chemistry
Jonathan specialises in analytical biochemistry and uses analytical techniques to understand the biochemistry of cyanobacteria and algae.
Jonno Rau
Environmental Sciences
Jonno is testing soils’ composition and capacity to hold water against the needs of the different crops and analysing satellite images to map frosts in each area.
Stewart Robertson
Biological Sciences
Waikato Biological Sciences graduate Stewart Robertson has used his scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial vision to create an idyllic lifestyle for himself as an owner/operator conservation tour guide in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Ollie van Woerden
Materials and Process Engineering
Researching the complexities of turning bloodmeal into bioplastic, alongside top engineering academics, has been the task for materials and process engineering student Ollie van Woerden.
Chris Wakefield
Biochemistry
St Paul’s student, Chris Wakefield, has been passionate about Chemistry and Biology from a young age so his decision to enroll in Waikato’s Bachelor of Science (Technology) with a biochemistry major was relatively straight-forward.
Timothy Walmsley
Engineering
A PhD focused on increasing the energy efficiency of milk powder production has led University of Waikato engineering graduate Tim Walmsley to a full-time job with the very research group within which he worked as a PhD candidate.
Alice Wang
Biochemistry, Chemistry
Waikato Masters Graduate Alice Wang spends a lot of her work life travelling throughout the world.
Grace Waters
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Grace’s highlight of studying at the University of Waikato was the culture within the School
of Engineering. “You felt like you were part of a community. The lecturers knew your name
and wanted to help grow you.”
Ashleigh Weatherall
Animal Behaviour
Passionate to make a difference after seeing inadequate animal living conditions in Japanese zoos, Ashleigh Weatherall chose to pursue a Bachelor of Science (Tech) at the University of Waikato.
Ashley Webby
Biological Sciences
Former Hillcrest High School student Ashley Webby chose Waikato because it was close to home and had an excellent range of papers, taught by enthusiastic lecturers.
Cody Wright
Chemistry
A passion for chemistry has led Cody Wright to an exciting position with New Zealand’s leading analytical testing laboratory.