Dalrymple girl takes step towards dream job

Oct 8 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A SCIENCE student has taken a giant leap towards her dream career.

Carrick Academy pupil Anne McMillan spent the summer on a unique work placement with the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive.

And she joined a trio of French students to head down the road to her ideal job in the science world.

Anne, from Dalrymple, teamed up with Edouard Barkhausen, Audrey Vincent and Laurianne Krust from Toulouse to work with SAC’s farmland biodiversity researchers.

The youngsters were given a sense of hands-on scientific research in both the field and laboratory.

Anne had applied for a sought-after Nuffield Science Bursary Placement, which offers fifth or sixth year students time in a research institute close to their home.

And after entering Auchincruive with a dream to study zoology, Anne has revealed a change of heart.

She said: “I have always been interested in biology and thought that eventually I would like to conduct research in the Amazonian rain forest or somewhere equally exotic.

“But after the SAC team taught me how to identify butterflies and bees I went around the farm back home and was amazed at the number of different types I saw.”

French students Edouard, Audrey and Laurianne were visiting Auchincruive as part of a placement on their own course.

SAC ecologist Dr Davy McCracken said: “The assistance we get from summer work placement students is invaluable.

“We can collect a lot more information than would otherwise be possible about the biodiversity present on our study farms.

“We have helped broaden the horizons of a large number of French students over the years, but our more recent links with local secondary schools through the Nuffield Science Bursary Placement, as well as through the separate school work experience programme, is just as rewarding.”

The summer research carried out measurements and observations on the margins farmers are encouraged to leave at the edge of fields, or the strips of uncultivated land around burns, ditches or ponds.

These ‘buffer strips’ help protect against pollution but are also important for wildlife.

Mr McCracken added: “At SAC Auchincruive we enjoy engaging with pupils from the local community and helping them decide which career path to follow.

“But it’s also rewarding to bring local and international students together in biodiversity research, especially since this year is the International Year of Biodiversity.”