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.

Subject:

Fenna Beets

Biological Sciences
"When I went snorkelling for the first time...I put my head in the water with my mask on and saw this explosion of colour and fish, I was absolutely hooked. I needed to know more. It was then I truly found what I was passionate about."

Tori Blomfield

Earth Sciences
"I was able to talk about my volunteering experience in my [job] interview, and it really impressed my employers. I deal with a huge spectrum of different people at work, so it’s been incredibly helpful to have that experience."

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.

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”.

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.

Kelsey Ferris

Biotechnology
"I'm spending one year with the British Geological Survey, working in the Inorganic Geochemistry Laboratories in Nottingham. Science can be one of the most hands-on fields to work in, and Waikato’s degree nurtures that."

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.”

Shalini Guleria

Biological Sciences
"I wanted to study engineering, and chose Waikato for its central location and collaborative culture. I’m so grateful that I chose this path because thanks to Waikato, I discovered my passion for research."

Conor Gyde

Agribusiness, Biotechnology
"I always knew that Waikato has fantastic opportunities for scholarships, and the beautiful campus was the icing on the cake."

Terry Halford

Chemical and Biological Engineering
"Doing CUP was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made."

Dylan Harrison

Chemistry
For Waikato graduate Dylan Harrison, a career in science has always been on the cards.

Scott Harvey

Mechanical Engineering
"The highlight of my study so far is definitely the people I've met. I have had endless opportunities everywhere to develop and learn outside the classroom (If you're willing to seek them out and take them!)"

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.

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.

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.

Rahul Jangali

Mechanical Engineering
"The reality is that our farmers cannot find people to harvest and thin apples, and we need these robots more than ever."

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.

Sangata Kaufononga

Chemistry, Science

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.

Larissa Kopf

Mechanical Engineering
"I chose Waikato over other options in New Zealand because of the smaller classes and the lecturers are really accessible. I also heard about the first year engineering design challenge and liked how practical it sounded."

Ryan Lee

Earth Sciences
"Over summer I worked in a lab where I used X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy to undertake chemical analyses of rock samples."

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
"I selected Waikato University because of the excellent reputation of the Coastal Marine Group's research and staff, great relationships with industry, and a huge selection of field survey equipment and the technicians and capabilities to use it."

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
"I’m in a lab the same amount of time, if not more than I’m in lectures each week, which really helps me retain the information I’m learning."

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.

Nicc Moeono

Mechanical Engineering
"I really like the community feel here at Waikato. It’s easy to make connections and develop relationships with people."

Gabrielle Moskalow

Chemical and Biological Engineering
"My advice would be to take advantage of all the experiences that the university has to offer and don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people!"

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.

Samskar Palavarapu

Computer Science
"I chose Waikato because I knew I would get the chance to explore untapped areas of existing technologies and enable them for use in future projects."

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.

Rebecca Prestidge

Molecular and Cellular Biology
"The CUP programme prepared me for what I’d face when I started my degree – it really set me up for uni."

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.

Erin Sims

Mechanical Engineering
"It’s cool being able to do both sides of engineering. I really like spending time on the computer designing, but then also doing the hands-on side."

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
"This role combines my technical knowledge and people skills to connect with customers throughout the world."

Joshua Wasniewski

Philosophy
"Studying at the University of Waikato has allowed me to meet so many new people and allowed me to gain an understanding of their unique culture and enjoy learning their perspectives on things."

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.”

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